Crocodiles part 7: Common caimans (continued)

Spectacled caiman is the most widespread crocodilian of the Americas. It is common from tropical parts of Mexico and Trinidad to the Amazon basin, and was introduced to some Caribbean islands and Florida. Its name comes from a bony ridge between the eyes, that looks like spectacles. The other two Caiman species also have such ridges.

Spectacled caiman, Adventure, Guyana.

Yacare caiman (C. yacare), Rio Yacuma, Bolivia.

Spectacled caiman, Adventure, Guyana.

Spectacled and yacare caimans are very similar, and were lumped into one species until recently. Spectacled caiman, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. But the spectacled caiman doesn't have dark spots on the sides of its jaws.

Spectacled caiman, near Ciudad Guyana, Venezuela.

Central American spectacled caimans (C. c. fuscus) might be a separate species. ZOOMAT, Mexico.

Spectacled caiman, Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, Brazil.

This caiman has very long front teeth, giving some animals almost saber- toothed look. It is extremely versatile, and can live anywhere from seasonal ponds and sewage ditches to slow rivers and big lakes.

Very large spectacled caiman, MSDR, Brazil.

Spectacled caiman also occurs in saltwater lagoons and estuaries in many parts of its range, such as in Caroni Swamp, Trinidad.

In savanna areas such as the llanos of Venezuela, caimans often have to travel in search of water during the dry season. Rio Capanaparo, Venezuela.

Spectacled caiman, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zool. Park, Florida.

But it is rare in the forests of Guyana, where it is replaced by the large, aggressive black caiman (see below). Its behavior and breeding biology are similar to those of yacare caiman.

Spectacled caiman, Caroni Swamp Sanctuary, Trinidad.

Spectacled caimans mating, SAAFZP, Florida.

Spectacled caiman, Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, Brazil.

Like the other two species in the genus, spectacled caiman almost never reaches 3 m in length, and is not dangerous to humans.

Eye of a spectacled caiman, Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica.

Juvenile spectacled caiman waiting out the dry season is a shallow mud puddle, Vicinity of Mar Muerto, Mexico.

Spectacled caiman listening to roars of Orinoco crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius), Hato Masaguaral, Venezuela.

Caiman god. Precolombian statue, Convento San Francisco Museum, Granada, Nicaragua.

A few subspecies of the spectacled caiman have been described. The most distinctive one is C. c. fuscus of Central America and possibly Chiapas, Mexico.

Caiman god. Precolombian statuette, National Museum, Managua, Nicaragua.

Caimans. Contemporary statuettes at a market, Masaya, Nicaragua.

Broad-headed caiman (C. latirostris), Itaipu Reservoir, Brazil.

Broad-snouted caiman occurs from central and eastern Brazil to Uruguay - further south than any other Crocodilian. Now rare in the northern and coastal parts of its range, it is still common in Paraguay and extreme northern Argentina.

Broad-headed caiman, Itaipu Reservoir, Brazil.

Broad-headed caiman, Itaipu Reservoir, Brazil.

Broad-headed caiman, Sao Paulo Zoo, Brazil.

Broad-headed caiman, SAAFZP, Florida.

This species is a habitat generalist, but in areas where yacare caiman also occurs, the former prefers forest rivers and the latter - savanna lakes. Broad-headed caimans eat a lot of apple snails (Pomatias), but wouldn't refuse any other prey.

Young broad-headed caiman, Rio Pilcomayo National Park, Paraguay.

Baby broad-headed caimans, Parque Natural do Caraca, Brazil.

Juvenile broad-headed caiman, San Ignacio de Velasco, Bolivia.

Like its two relatives, it has osteoderms (bony plates) in its skin. Such skins cost less, so until recently Caiman species did not suffer from hunting as much as black caimans, alligators and many crocodiles. Now some populations are intensely hunted for Asian markets.

Spectacled caiman in threatening posture. Choco Culture (c. 900-1000 AD), Museo de Oro, Bogota, Colombia.

Broad-headed caiman, San Ignacio de Velasco, Bolivia.

Part 8: Black caiman

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