CaimanCaimaninae — habitat, diet and reproduction

Grey-olive caiman resting on a riverbank

Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) on a bank. · Bernard Gagnon / CC0 (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en).

Caimans are aquatic reptiles of the alligator family living in Central and South America. The group has six species, from the dwarf caiman, just over a metre long, to the black caiman, which can exceed five metres. They lie in wait in rivers, lakes and swamps with only their eyes and nostrils above water.

Quick facts

Common name	Caiman
Scientific name	Caimaninae (genera Caiman, Melanosuchus, Paleosuchus)
Lifespan	Several decades; spectacled caimans live 30–40 years
Length	From about 1.2 m (dwarf caiman) to about 5 m (black caiman)
Diet	Carnivore: fish, snails, crabs, birds, mammals
Predators	Jaguars and anacondas take adults; birds and large fish take young
Conservation status	Most species are Least Concern (LC)
Distribution	Southern Mexico, Central and South America
Habitat	Rivers, lakes, swamps and flooded forests
Family	Alligatoridae
Reproduction	Lays eggs in a mound nest of plants

Primary category:Reptiles
Explore this animal's categories:
Animals of North America Animals of South America Animals of the Amazon Aquatic animals C Carnivores Dangerous animals Egg-laying animals Fish-eating animals Freshwater animals Jungle animals Reptiles Scaled animals Semi-aquatic animals Vertebrates Wetland animals Wild animals

Interesting facts

The spectacled caiman has a bony ridge between its eyes, like a spectacle frame.
The black caiman is, alongside the jaguar, the largest predator of the Amazon basin.
Dwarf caimans are the smallest members of the alligator family.
The female guards her nest and helps the young hatch.

Characteristics

Caimans have bony plates under the skin, a relatively short snout and a powerful, flattened tail. With the mouth closed, the lower teeth are hidden, as in alligators.

The black caiman is almost black, with pale bands on the flanks when young. The spectacled caiman is olive green. Dwarf caimans have very thick skin and brown eyes.

Behaviour

Caimans hunt mostly at night. By day they bask on banks or float motionless. They communicate with grunts, hisses and head movements in the water.

In the dry season, when water levels fall, many gather in the remaining pools. Some species bury themselves in mud to survive dry periods.

Habitat and distribution

Caimans live from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. The black caiman inhabits the Amazon basin, and the spectacled caiman has the widest range.

They use slow rivers, lakes, swamps, flooded forests and even brackish coastal water.

Diet and feeding

Young caimans eat insects, snails and crustaceans. Adults catch fish, including piranhas, frogs, waterbirds and mammals that come to drink.

Black caimans can take large prey such as capybaras or deer, while dwarf caimans eat more invertebrates and small fish.

Reproduction and life cycle

The female builds a mound nest of leaves, sticks and mud near water. Rotting plants release heat that helps the eggs develop.

Spectacled caimans usually lay 14–40 eggs. The female guards the nest, and when the young call from inside the eggs she opens the nest and carries them to the water in her mouth.

Name and history

The word “caiman” comes from an indigenous Caribbean language, adopted by the Spanish.

Caimans, alligators and crocodiles form the crocodilians. Caimans and alligators share the family Alligatoridae, while crocodiles form a separate family.

Conservation and threats

In the twentieth century, caimans were heavily hunted for their skins. The black caiman became endangered but recovered after protection and is now considered low risk in most areas.

Most species are assessed as Least Concern. Current threats include wetland destruction, dams and illegal hunting.