Crocodiles part 9: Dwarf caimans

Dwarf caimans are the elves of the crocodile world. They inhabit small, shallow forest streams, so it's almost impossible to study them from boat. Extremely shy, gentle, strictly nocturnal, little-known creatures, they are difficult to see, unless you are ready to become an amphibious nocturnal creature yourself. It's even more difficult to photograph them in the wild. The few pictures I managed to get for this page are among very few in existence.

Cuvier's dwarf caimans, Noel Kempff Mercado Nat'l Park, Bolivia.

Cuvier's dwarf caiman, Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, Guyana.

Cuvier's caiman is the world's smallest crocodilian, seldom growing over 1.5m/5' long. It occurs east from the Andes, from southern Venezuela to northern Paraguay, but is rare everywhere, especially north from the Amazon.

Cuvier's dwarf caimans in courtship, IRR, Guyana.

Schneider's dwarf caiman (P. trigonatus), Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, Brazil..

Schneider's dwarf caiman, SAAFZP, Florida.

Schneider's caiman is a bit larger, and is rare south of the Amazon. Both dwarf caimans are somewhat terrestrial, spend a lot of time away from the water. Dwarf caiman, Mochici Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, Washington. They can be told from other caimans by the abscense of bony ridge between the eyes (right).

Schneider's dwarf caiman, SAAFZP, Florida.

Courtship of Schneider's dwarf caimans, Coitubo River, Venezuela.

Schneider's dwarf caiman in arched-back posture, Coitubo River, Venezuela.

Schneider's dwarf caiman, Coitubo River, Venezuela.

Breeding biology is also poorly known. They seldom vocalize; one species is said to build nests in termite colonies (rotting termite droppings provide extra warmth for the eggs). I hope to learn more about their mating habits. Seeing their hatchlings would also be nice.

Schneider's dwarf caiman, Amacayacu National Park, Colombia.

Schneider's dwarf caiman, MSDR, Brazil.

Part 10: Gharials

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