Caiman Caiman Crocodilus Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Cordata Class: Reptilia Order: Crocodilia Family: Alligatoridae Genus: Caiman Species: Crocodilus

Description

The caiman is small in comparison to other lizard species. It has a short tail and a short, smooth head with a high skull and upturned snout. They also have a pronounced overbite. Their irises are generally brown but can take on greenish tinge. Juveniles are brown with banding; adults have brown heads, and their jaws have white bands. Caimans closely resemble alligators except for the small bony scales embedded in the skin of their belly.

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Average Statistics

Diet

Caimans in the wild often eat fish but like many crocodilians they are very opportunistic and eat whatever happens to be nearby of the right size.

Offspring

Female begins constructing nests out of available vegetation and mud before the onset of the annual rains; incubation lasts 90 to 115 days ? hatchlings emerge as water level rises from rains and disperses over wide range. Newly hatched young are coated with a slow-drying, protective mucus layer and may not enter water until the end of the first day; when it's time, the female will open the nest and move the juveniles to water. There is a high mortality rate among juvenile caimans, but adult mortality is very low. Jaguars and other large carnivores prey on the caiman.

Relationship with Humans

The caiman is the most populous of the alligatoridae family.

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