Spectacled caiman

Last updated

Spectacled caiman
Temporal range: Pleistocene - Present,
2.58–0  Ma [1]
Ꞓ
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
↓
Caiman crocodilus llanos.JPG
In Llanos, Venezuela
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [3]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Archosauromorpha
Clade: Archosauriformes
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Alligatoridae
Subfamily: Caimaninae
Clade: Jacarea
Genus: Caiman
Species:
C. crocodilus
Binomial name
Caiman crocodilus
The range of the spectacled caiman.png
Native range (black)
Synonyms [4]
  • Jacaretinga crocodilusLinnaeus, 1758
  • Lacerta crocodilusLinnaeus, 1758
  • Caiman scleropsSchneider, 1801
  • Crocodilus scleropsSchneider, 1801
  • Caiman yacare Daudin, 1802
  • Crocodilus caimanDaudin, 1802
  • Jacare hirticollisGray, 1867
  • ?Caiman venezuelensis Fortier & Rincón, 2013 [5]

The spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), also known as the white caiman, [6] common caiman, [7] and speckled caiman, [8] is a crocodilian in the family Alligatoridae. It is brownish-, greenish-, or yellowish-gray colored and has a spectacle-like ridge between its eyes, which is where its common name come from. It grows to a length of 1.4–2.5 m (4 ft 7 in – 8 ft 2 in) and a weight of 7–40 kg (15–88 lb), with males being both longer and heavier than females. Its diet varies seasonally, commonly consisting of crabs, fish, small mammals, amphibians and snails. Breeding occurs from May to August and 14–40 eggs are laid in July and August. This crocodilian has a large range and population; it is native to much of Latin America, and has been introduced to the United States, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

Contents

Taxonomy

The spectacled caiman was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, originally as Lacerta crocodilus. [2] It has since been redescribed several times, including as Caiman sclerops by Schneider in 1801. [4] Although Caiman crocodilus is now the scientific name of the species, some scientists still prefer using sclerops, as having crocodilus as the scientific name for a caiman may cause confusion. [9]

Classification

The spectacled caiman is one of three extant (living) species of the genus Caiman , the other two being the Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) and the Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris). There are also several extinct fossil species in the genus Caiman , possibly up to eight species. The spectacled caiman is a member of the caiman subfamily Caimaninae, and is one of six living species of caiman. It is most closely related to the yacare caiman, as shown in the cladogram below, based on molecular DNA-based phylogenetic studies: [10]

Alligatoridae
Caimaninae

Paleosuchus palpebrosus Cuvier's dwarf caiman

Paleosuchus trigonatus Schneider's dwarf caiman

Jacarea

Caiman crocodilusSpectacled caiman

Caiman yacare Yacare caiman

Caiman latirostris Broad-snouted caiman

Melanosuchus niger Black caiman

Alligatorinae

Alligator sinensis Chinese alligator

Alligator mississippiensis American alligator

Subspecies

The spectacled caiman has four recognized subspecies: [7] [11]

The yacare caiman (Caiman yacare), while previously thought to be a subspecies of C. crocodilus, is now usually considered a separate species. [2]

The Rio Apaporis caiman was believed to have become extinct by 1981, when the last known specimen died in a zoo. However, a specimen was captured in an expedition by Colombian conservation biologist Sergio Balaguera-Reina in 2018. [12] Later, the subspecies was discovered again by wildlife biologist Forrest Galante for the television show Extinct or Alive in 2019 and identified by DNA sampling. [13] [14] [15] Galante has advocated for the Rio Apaporis caiman to be considered a distinct species, while Balaguera-Reina maintains its official status as a subspecies.

Characteristics

Spectacled caiman head, with the ridge between the eyes visible Spectacled caiman by Keven Law.jpg
Spectacled caiman head, with the ridge between the eyes visible
Spectacled caimans in Monterrico, Guatemala 071228 crocodiles.JPG
Spectacled caimans in Monterrico, Guatemala

The spectacled caiman is a small to medium-sized crocodilian. Females generally grow to no more than 1.08 to 1.4 m (3 ft 7 in to 4 ft 7 in) (the lower size typical upon the onset of sexual maturity), but can rarely grow to nearly 2 m (6 ft 7 in). Adult males can regularly reach 1.5 to 1.8 m (4 ft 11 in to 5 ft 11 in) while large mature ones grow to 2.0 to 2.5 m (6 ft 7 in to 8 ft 2 in), although relatively few get to the upper size. [16] The maximum reported size for the species is 2.64 m (8 ft 8 in). [17] The body mass of most adults is between 7 and 40 kg (15 and 88 lb), with males typically being considerably heavier than females. Some males in the Llanos have been reported to grow to up to 58 kg (128 lb). [18]

The upperside of the species is mostly brownish-, greenish-, or yellowish-gray colored and has dark brown crossbands, [17] with a lighter underside. It has a greenish iris. [19] and wrinkled eyelids. [8] It changes color seasonally – during colder weather, the black pigment within its skin cells expands, making it appear darker. [20] The species has an enlarged 4th tooth, and the teeth in its lower jaw penetrate into a socket in its upper jaw. It has a long snout that tapers moderately, with an unexpanded tip. [21] Several ridges begin in front of its eyes and travel to the tip of its snout. [19] Its common name comes from a bony ridge between its eyes, which gives the appearance of a pair of spectacles. [22] The spectacled caiman is the most widely distributed New World crocodilian, and is the most geographically variable species in the Americas, making it a highly adaptable species. [23]

Biology and behavior

The spectacled caiman can move rapidly when threatened, but is usually immobile, resting on shores or partly in water. In the rainy season, males become aggressive and territorial. [18] Spectacled caiman have Müller glial cells in their eyes that contribute to excellent night vision. [24]

Hunting and diet

Spectacled Caiman eating a fish Spectacled Caiman - Baba (Caiman crocodilus) (8698136554).jpg
Spectacled Caiman eating a fish

Usually hunting at night, the diet of the spectacled caiman varies seasonally. [18] During the wet season, it primarily eats snails and freshwater crabs, while it mostly eats fish in the dry season. Smaller specimens tend to eat more insects and freshwater shrimp, while larger ones more frequently consume mammals and fish. [25] Overall, the most common animals in this species' diet are crabs, other crustaceans, fish, mammals, snails and other molluscs. [26] [27] Other animals that have been known to be a part of its diet include amphibians, arachnids, birds, myriapods, reptiles (lizards, snakes, and turtles), and small mammals. [25] Older animals are capable of taking larger, mammalian prey (e.g. wild pigs). [28] Cannibalism has been reported under such conditions. [28] It has also been known to eat plant matter; in a study of this species in Puerto Rico, about 55% of adult specimens had plants in their diet, primarily grass and seeds. About 8% of adults and 6% of juveniles in the study had gastroliths in their stomach as well. [29] Although the species has been suggested to control piranha populations, piranhas have not been found to be a normal diet component, unlike the yacare caiman. According to the Crocodilian Species List, it is probably a generalist species, being able to adapt to a variety of prey. [16] [30]

Communication

The spectacled caiman uses nine different vocalizations and 13 visual displays to communicate with individuals of its species. [18] Both adults and young produce calls for group cohesion. Males are known to communicate by moving their tail to a certain position, such as making it vertical or arched. Juveniles vocalize when in distress and adult females emit calls to warn young of threats. [2]

Reproduction

Spectacled caiman babies Spectacled Caiman babies (5596784570).jpg
Spectacled caiman babies

The spectacled caiman reaches sexual maturity from four to seven years old, at a length of 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) for females and 1.4 metres (4.6 ft) for males. Usually, the more dominant individuals mature more quickly. There is no strict reproductive hierarchy in spectacled caiman, but studies show larger males have more success breeding. [31] Specimens choose mates and engage in copulation from May to August, the wet season. [16] The females build nests as a mound of dense vegetation, in areas that are close to water but not at risk of being flooded. The nests are over 1 metre (3.3 ft) in diameter and can be 40 centimetres (16 in) high, but the exact size depends on the resources available. Eggs are laid in July and August; the species very rarely nests in the winter, as the temperature is too low for the eggs. [18] [32] Clutch size is 22 on average, but can range from 14 to 40. [16] Larger females have been known to lay larger eggs compared to smaller females. [33] Females stay close to their nests during the incubation period, as several species, such as lizards in the genus Tupinambis , have been known to destroy nests and prey on the eggs. [16] White-nosed coatis and foxes also raid nests. [25] Flooding and human egg collecting can also be a threat to the nests. [18] In a study in the Central Amazonia assessing reproductive similarities between C. crocodilus and Melanochus niger, research found that they indiscriminately separate their nests at larger distances than other species in this family, most likely to avoid predation. [34]

Temperature is important to the developing eggs, so females build their nests in a way that insulates them from extreme temperature changes. As the vegetation in the nests decays, the nests produce heat which can keep the eggs about 5 °C (9 °F) warmer than if they were insulated by mud alone. [32] Heat not only incubates the eggs, but also determines the sex of the developing caimans (temperature-dependent sex determination). When the temperature inside the nest is about 32 °C (90 °F) or higher, the caimans become female, and otherwise become male. [35] Young hatch after 90 days, [22] with 20–25 percent of eggs hatching successfully. [18] They are yellow with black spots, a coloration which fades away as they grow older, [16] with a length of 20–23 centimetres (7.9–9.1 in). [18] Parents raise their young in crèches, with one female taking care of her own, as well as several others' offspring. [36] They take care of their young for 12–18 months. [11] Young are threatened by various predators, such as raptors (like hawks) [37] and wader birds (like herons), [25] causing most to die in their first year. [18] These juveniles are also preyed upon by large fish, large snakes (such as anacondas), and other crocodilians. [25]

Distribution and habitat

The spectacled caiman has the largest range of any caiman, [9] and of any New World crocodilian. [11] It is found in various countries throughout the Americas. It lives in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, and may also be extant in Belize and Bolivia. It has been introduced to Isla de la Juventud in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Florida in the United States; [2] in the latter, it is sometimes mislabeled as the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). [16] Invasive populations have become established in South Florida, with isolated records further north in the state. [36] Genetic study indicates two separate introduction events into Florida. [38] It is intolerant to cold climates, so its range is unlikely to expand to further north than Florida. [39] It usually lives in forests, inland bodies of fresh water (such as wetlands and rivers), grasslands, shrublands, and savannas, but is very adaptable. [2] It prefers habitats with calm water containing floating vegetation, usually flooding and drying seasonally. It is most common in low-lying areas, but has been found at elevations of up to 800 m (2,600 ft). [18] In Brazil, the species lives in the rivers Amazon, Araguaia, Araguari, Itapicuru, Rio Negro, Paranaíba, Solimões, Tapajós, Tocantins, and Xingu. [8] It is able to live in human-inhabited areas. [19]

The adult population of this crocodilian is estimated to be in the millions and stable. [2] About four million spectacled caimans are found in Venezuela and surveys have shown that it is expected to increase. [20] This is an example of how well the species is able to adapt. [16] However, populations are not doing well in other countries, such as Peru. [20] The population in a single area can be determined the easiest by counting individuals in the dry season at night. [18]

Threats and conservation

An 1800s watercolor painting depicting a hunter aiming at a caiman on the Magdalena river Caiman del Magadalena - Mark, Edward Walhouse.jpg
An 1800s watercolor painting depicting a hunter aiming at a caiman on the Magdalena river

The skin of the spectacled caiman is covered with osteoderms, which previously caused it to not be a major commercial target for its skin. However, harvesting of the skins of this caiman and others became very common in the 1950s, due to the declining stocks of crocodiles. [11] Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the species was frequently traded, causing its population to decrease in some areas. Its skin was often exported from South America and utilized primarily for leather; at least 6 million skins were exported from Colombia from 1996 to 2015. However, conservation efforts since have caused a significant reduction in the number of skins exported. [2] In most countries, hunting this species is legal. Venezuela permits hunting every fall, provided the total number of kills in the season does not exceed 150,000. [20] Because of its adaptability and wide distribution, habitat loss does not affect the species significantly globally. [2] It is reasonably resilient to hunting as well, as hunters usually focus on large males and the species reproduces at a small size. [11] However, it is severely threatened in Colombia, [16] primarily the subspecies C. c. fuscus and sometimes C. c. crocodilus. [40]

The spectacled caiman benefits from overhunting of competitive species which occupy the same home range, as this allows it to access resources normally lost to these other species. Specimens that have been introduced to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the United States negatively impact the native animals there. They are believed to have been the main reason for the likely extirpation of the Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) from the Isla de la Juventud, Cuba. [16] The species has a similar diet to the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) – both species eat mostly insects as juveniles and fish as adults. This causes interspecific competition, making it more difficult for the black caiman's population to recover. [41] The spectacled caiman lives in parts of the Amazon rainforest that the black caiman was extirpated from. [11]

C. crocodilus at the Helsinki Tropicario Zoo aquarium in Helsinki, Finland in 2010 Caiman crocodilus Tropicario 2.JPG
C. crocodilus at the Helsinki Tropicario Zoo aquarium in Helsinki, Finland in 2010

Conservation programs for this species are used in many countries. The most common form of conservation is the use of cropping, which consists of manually reducing the numbers of several wild and abundant species. Long-term effects of cropping have yet to be discovered; more surveys have been recommended. Farming or ranching programs have also been used as conservation efforts for the species, but seem to be more expensive and possibly less effective. [16] A conservation program in Colombia, which existed from 2004 to 2006, bred spectacled caimans in captivity and released the young into the wild at one year old. A similar program released over 15,000 juveniles into wetlands from 2005 to 2009. [2] Previously, Colombia restricted the exportation of spectacled caiman skins to ones shorter than 1.2 metres (3.9 ft), but as of 2011 there are now only size limits for some individual pieces of the skin, rather than the overall size of the skin. These limits are less effective, as large skins could accord with the size limits if cut and trimmed. [40] According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), further surveys of the species would help with future conservation plans. [2]

The spectacled caiman is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List, due to its large range and population globally, following two assessments as threatened in 1986 and 1988. [2] The subspecies C. c. crocodilus is on Appendix II of CITES, [4] C. c. apaporiensis Appendix I, [42] and C. c. fuscus Appendix II. [43]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alligatoridae</span> Family of crocodilians including alligators, caimans and kin

The family Alligatoridae of crocodylians includes alligators, caimans and their extinct relatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodile</span> Family of large reptilian carnivores

Crocodiles or true crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. The term crocodile is sometimes used even more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia, which includes the alligators and caimans, the gharial and false gharial among other extinct taxa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodilia</span> Order of mostly large, predatory, semiaquatic reptiles

Crocodilia is an order of mostly large, predatory, semiaquatic reptiles known as crocodilians. They first appeared 94 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous period and are the closest living relatives of birds, as the two groups are the only known survivors of the Archosauria. Members of the order's total group, the clade Pseudosuchia, appeared about 250 million years ago in the Early Triassic period, and diversified during the Mesozoic era. The order Crocodilia includes the true crocodiles, the alligators and caimans, and the gharial and false gharial. Although the term crocodiles is sometimes used to refer to all of these, crocodilians is a less ambiguous vernacular term for members of this group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alligator</span> Crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae

An alligator, or colloquially gator, is a large reptile in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae of the order Crocodilia. The two extant species are the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. Alligators first appeared during the late Eocene epoch about 37 million years ago.

<i>Caiman</i> (genus) Genus of reptiles

Caiman is a genus of caimans within the alligatorid subfamily Caimaninae. They inhabit Central and South America. They are relatively small sized crocodilians, with all species reaching lengths of only a couple of meters and weighing 6 to 40 kg on average.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American alligator</span> Large crocodilian reptile

The American alligator, sometimes referred to as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States and a small section of northeastern Mexico. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saltwater crocodile</span> Reptile of South Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania

The saltwater crocodile is a crocodilian native to saltwater habitats, brackish wetlands and freshwater rivers from India's east coast across Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region to northern Australia and Micronesia. It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 1996. It was hunted for its skin throughout its range up to the 1970s, and is threatened by illegal killing and habitat loss. It is regarded as dangerous to humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yacare caiman</span> Species of reptile

The yacare caiman, also known commonly as the jacare caiman, Paraguayan caiman, piranha caiman, red caiman, and southern spectacled caiman, is a species of caiman, a crocodilian in the family Alligatoridae. The species is endemic to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. Brown in color and covered with dark blotches, males grow to a total length of 2–3 m and weigh around 40–50 kg (88–110 lb); while females grow to 1.4 m long and about 15–20 kg (33–44 lb). Typical habitats of this caiman include lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Its diet primarily consists of aquatic animals, such as snails, and occasionally land vertebrates. Mating occurs in the rainy season and eggs hatch in March, with young fending for themselves as soon as they hatch. The yacare caiman was hunted heavily for its skin to use for leather in the 1980s, which caused its population to decrease significantly. However, trading restrictions placed since have caused its population to increase. Its population in the Pantanal is about 10 million, and it is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black caiman</span> Largest extant species of caiman

The black caiman is a crocodilian reptile endemic to South America. With a maximum length of around 5 to 6 m and a mass of over 450 kg (1,000 lb), it is the largest living species of the family Alligatoridae, and the third-largest crocodilian in the Neotropical realm. True to its common and scientific names, the black caiman has a dark greenish-black coloration as an adult. In some individuals, the pigmentation can appear almost jet-black. It has grey to brown banding on the lower jaw; juveniles have a more vibrant coloration compared to adults, with prominent white-pale yellow banding on the flanks that remains present well into adulthood. The banding on young animals helps with camouflage by breaking up their body outline, on land or in water, in an effort to avoid predation. The morphology is quite different from other caimans but the bony ridge that occurs in other caimans is present. The head is large and heavy, an advantage in catching larger prey. Like all crocodilians, caimans are long, squat creatures, with big jaws, long tails and short legs. They have thick, scaled skin, and their eyes and noses are located on the tops of their heads. This enables them to see and breathe while the rest of their bodies are underwater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nile crocodile</span> Reptile of Africa

The Nile crocodile is a large crocodilian native to freshwater habitats in Africa, where it is present in 26 countries. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, occurring mostly in the eastern, southern, and central regions of the continent, and lives in different types of aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and marshlands. Although capable of living in saline environments, this species is rarely found in saltwater, but occasionally inhabits deltas and brackish lakes. The range of this species once stretched northward throughout the Nile River, as far north as the Nile Delta. Lake Rudolf in Kenya has one of the largest undisturbed populations of Nile crocodiles. Generally, the adult male Nile crocodile is between 3.5 and 5 m in length and weighs 225 to 750 kg. However, specimens exceeding 6.1 m (20 ft) in length and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) in weight have been recorded. It is the largest freshwater predator in Africa, and may be considered the second-largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile. Size is sexually dimorphic, with females usually about 30% smaller than males. The crocodile has thick, scaly, heavily armoured skin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American crocodile</span> Species of crocodile endemic to the Neotropics

The American crocodile is a species of crocodilian found in the Neotropics. It is the most widespread of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas, with populations present from South Florida, the Caribbean islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and the coasts of Mexico to as far south as Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad-snouted caiman</span> Species of reptile

The broad-snouted caiman is a crocodilian in the family Alligatoridae found in eastern and central South America, including southeastern Brazil, northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. It is the second largest caiman and the third largest alligatorid. It is found mostly in freshwater marshes, swamps, and mangroves, usually in still or very slow-moving waters. It will often use man-made cow ponds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orinoco crocodile</span> Species of reptile

The Orinoco crocodile is a critically endangered crocodile. Its population is very small, and they can only be found in the Orinoco river basin in Venezuela and Colombia. Extensively hunted for their skins in the 19th and 20th centuries, it is one of the most endangered species of crocodiles. It is a very large species of crocodilian; males have been reported up to 6.8 m in the past, weighing over 900 kg (2,000 lb), but such sizes do not exist today, 5.2 m being a more widely accepted maximum size. A large male today may attain 4.2 m in length and can weigh up to 450 kg (1,000 lb), while females are substantially smaller with the largest likely to weigh around 225 kg (496 lb). Sexual dimorphism is not as profound as in other crocodilian species. The coloration is light even in adults.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park</span> Zoo in Florida, United States

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of Florida's oldest continuously running attractions, having opened on May 20, 1893. It has 24 species of crocodilians, and also a variety of other reptiles, mammals and birds, as well as exhibits, animal performances and educational demonstrations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuvier's dwarf caiman</span> Species of reptile

Cuvier's dwarf caiman is a small crocodilian in the alligator family from northern and central South America. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Venezuela. It lives in riverine forests, flooded forests near lakes, and near fast-flowing rivers and streams. It can traverse dry land to reach temporary pools and tolerates colder water than other species of caimans. Other common names for this species include the musky caiman, the dwarf caiman, Cuvier's caiman, and the smooth-fronted caiman. It is sometimes kept in captivity as a pet and may be referred to as the wedge-head caiman by the pet trade community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smooth-fronted caiman</span> Species of reptile

The smooth-fronted caiman, also known as Schneider's dwarf caiman or Schneider's smooth-fronted caiman, is a crocodilian from South America, where it is native to the Amazon and Orinoco Basins. It is the second-smallest species of the family Alligatoridae, the smallest being Cuvier's dwarf caiman, also from tropical South America and in the same genus. An adult typically grows to around 1.2 to 1.6 m in length and weighs between 9 and 20 kg. Exceptionally large males can reach as much as 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in length and 36 kg (79 lb) in weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caiman</span> Subfamily of reptiles

A caiman is an alligatorid belonging to the subfamily Caimaninae, one of two primary lineages within the Alligatoridae family, the other being alligators. Caimans are native to Central and South America and inhabit marshes, swamps, lakes, and mangrove rivers. They have scaly skin and live a fairly nocturnal existence. They are relatively small-sized crocodilians with an average maximum weight of 6 to 40 kg depending on species, with the exception of the black caiman, which can grow more than 4 m (13 ft) in length and weigh in excess of 1,000 kg. The black caiman is the largest caiman species in the world and is found in the slow-moving rivers and lakes that surround the Amazon basin. The smallest species is the Cuvier's dwarf caiman, which grows to 1.2 to 1.5 m long. There are six different species of caiman found throughout the watery jungle habitats of Central and Southern America. The average length for most of the other caiman species is about 2 to 2.5 m long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crocodile farm</span> Establishment for breeding and raising of crocodilians

A crocodile farm or alligator farm is an establishment for breeding and raising of crocodilians in order to produce crocodile and alligator meat, leather from crocodile and alligator skin, and other goods. Many species of both alligators and crocodiles are farmed internationally. In Louisiana alone, alligator farming is a $60 to $70 million industry. Most crocodile farms are located in Thailand.

Extinct or Alive is an American wildlife documentary television programme produced for Animal Planet by Hot Snakes Media of New York City, the United States. It is hosted by wildlife biologist and television personality Forrest Galante, who travels to different locations around the globe to learn about possibly extinct animals and whether or not there is a chance that they may still be extant. The series has been involved in the possible rediscovery of eleven animals, namely the Zanzibar leopard, the Pondicherry shark, the Fernandina Island Galápagos tortoise, the Miller's grizzled langur, the Cape lion, the Malagasy hippopotamus, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle, Rio Apaporis caiman, Whitetip weasel shark, Ornate sleeper-ray and the Flapnose houndshark.

References

  1. ↑ Rio, Jonathan P.; Mannion, Philip D. (6 September 2021). "Phylogenetic analysis of a new morphological dataset elucidates the evolutionary history of Crocodylia and resolves the long-standing gharial problem". PeerJ . 9: e12094. doi: 10.7717/peerj.12094 . PMC   8428266 . PMID   34567843.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Balaguera-Reina, S.A.; Velasco, A. (2019). "Caiman crocodilus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T46584A3009688. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T46584A3009688.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "Caiman crocodilus crocodilus". CITES . Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  5. ↑ Giovanne M. Cidade; Daniel Fortier; Ascanio Daniel Rincón; Annie Schmaltz Hsiou (2019). "Taxonomic review of two fossil crocodylians from the Cenozoic of South America and its implications for the crocodylian fauna of the continent". Zootaxa. 4656 (3): 475–486. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4656.3.5. PMID   31716812. S2CID   202012442.
  6. ↑ Franzen, Margaret Anne (2005). Huaorani resource use in the Ecuadorian Amazon. University of California, Davis. p. 181. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  7. 1 2 "ITIS Standard Report Page: Caiman crocodilus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 Del Claro, Kleber; Oliveira, Paulo S.; Rico-Gray, Victor (11 May 2009). Tropical Biology and Conservation Management. EOLSS Publications. pp. 273–274. ISBN   978-1848262812 . Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  9. 1 2 Triche, Nina (28 May 2003). "Caiman crocodilus (spectacled caiman)". Digimorph. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. ↑ Bittencourt, Pedro Senna; Campos, Zilca; Muniz, Fabio de Lima; Marioni, Boris; Souza, Bruno Campos; Da Silveira, Ronis; de Thoisy, Benoit; Hrbek, Tomas; Farias, Izeni Pires (22 March 2019). "Evidence of cryptic lineages within a small South American crocodilian: the Schneider's dwarf caiman Paleosuchus trigonatus (Alligatoridae: Caimaninae)". PeerJ . 7: e6580. doi: 10.7717/peerj.6580 . PMC   6433001 . PMID   30931177.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Velasco, A.; Ayarzagüena, J. (2010). "Spectacled Caiman crocodilus" (PDF). In Manolis, S. C.; Stevenson, C. (eds.). Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan (3 ed.). Crocodile Specialist Group. pp. 10–15. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  12. ↑ www.rewild.org https://www.rewild.org/news/rediscovery-of-lost-caiman-leads-to-new-crocodylian-mystery . Retrieved 14 March 2024.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ "In the bombast of the American TV host, colonial science lives on". TheWire. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  14. ↑ Fusco, Thom (19 December 2019). "Nature Believe - extinct Rio Apaporis caiman rediscovered". Discovery Channel . Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  15. ↑ Lindsay renick, Mayer (12 December 2019). "Rediscovery of lost caiman lead to new crocodilian mystery". rewild . Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Britton, Adam. "Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)". Crocodilian Species List. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  17. 1 2 Conant, Roger; Collins, Joseph T. (1998). A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians: Eastern and Central North America (illustrated, reprint, revised ed.). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p.  144. ISBN   978-0395904527 . Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Ojasti, Juhani (1996). Wildlife Utilization in Latin America: Current Situation and Prospects for Sustainable Management (illustrated ed.). Food and Agriculture Organization. pp. 58–62. ISBN   978-9251033166 . Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  19. 1 2 3 "Spectacled Caiman - Caiman crocodilus". World Association of Zoos and Aquariums . Archived from the original on 31 October 2013.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Alderton, David (1991). "Common Caiman Caiman crocodilus.". Crocodiles & Alligators of the World (illustrated ed.). Facts on File. pp.  131–135. ISBN   978-0816022977 . Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  21. ↑ Smith, Hobart M.; Brodie, Edmund D. (25 February 2014). Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification (illustrated ed.). St. Martin's Press. p. 208. ISBN   978-1466864818 . Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  22. 1 2 "Spectacled Caiman". Lincoln Park Zoo . Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  23. ↑ Velasco, Alvaro; Ayarzaguena, Jose (2010). Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus). Venezuela: Fundación La Salle de Ciencias NaturalesApartado. p. 10.
  24. ↑ Agte, Silke; Savvinov, Alexey; Karl, Anett; Zayas-Santiago, Astrid; Ulbricht, Elke; Makarov, Vladimir I.; Reichenbach, Andreas; Bringmann, Andreas; Skatchkov, Serguei N. (August 2018). "Müller glial cells contribute to dim light vision in the spectacled caiman ( Caiman crocodilus fuscus ): Analysis of retinal light transmission". Experimental Eye Research. 173: 91–108. doi:10.1016/j.exer.2018.05.009. ISSN   0014-4835. PMC   9930533 .
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 Terry, Kayla. "Caiman crocodilus (Common caiman, Spectacled caiman)". Animaldiversity.org. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  26. ↑ Thorbjarnarson, John B. (March 1993). "Diet of the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) in the central Venezuelan Llanos". Herpetologica . 49 (1). Allen Press: 108–117. JSTOR   3892691.
  27. ↑ "Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)".
  28. 1 2 "Crocodilian Species - Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)".[ dead link ]
  29. ↑ Bontemps, Damien R.; Cuevas, Elvira; Ortiz, Eileen; Wunderle, Joseph M.; Joglar, Rafael L. (18 March 2016). "Diet of the non-native spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) in Puerto Rico" (PDF). Management of Biological Invasions. 7 (3): 287–296. doi: 10.3391/mbi.2016.7.3.08 . Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  30. ↑ Ross, Charles A.; Garnett, Stephen (1989). Crocodiles and Alligators (illustrated ed.). New York: Facts on File. pp. 58–73. ISBN   978-0816021741 . Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  31. ↑ Barragán-Contreras, L.A.; Antelo, R.; Amézquita, A. (July 2021). "Not only big bulls — Correlation between morphometry, reproductive success, and testosterone level in a flooded savannah population of the Spectacled Caiman ( Caiman crocodilus )". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 99 (7): 580–587. doi:10.1139/cjz-2020-0099. ISSN   0008-4301.
  32. 1 2 Magnusson, W.E. Vliet, K.A. Pooley, A.C. and Whitaker, R. "Reproduction." Crocodiles and Alligators (illustrated ed.). Ross, Charles A. Garnett, Stephen (1989). New York: Facts on File. pp. 118–124. ISBN   0816021740.
  33. ↑ Campos, Zilca; Magnusson, William E.; Sanaiotti, Tânia; Coutinho, Marcos E. (April 2008). "Reproductive trade-offs in Caiman crocodilus crocodilus and Caiman crocodilus yacare: Implications for size-related management quotas". Herpetological Journal. 18 (2): 91–96. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  34. ↑ Silveira, Ronis Da; Magnusson, William Ernest; Campos, Zilca (December 1997). "Monitoring the Distribution, Abundance and Breeding Areas of Caiman crocodilus crocodilus and Melanosuchus niger in the Anavilhanas Archipelago, Central Amazonia, Brazil". Journal of Herpetology. 31 (4): 514. doi:10.2307/1565603. JSTOR   1565603.
  35. ↑ Lang, J.W. "Sex Determination." Crocodiles and Alligators (illustrated ed.). Ross, Charles A. Garnett, Stephen (1989). New York: Facts on File. pp. 118–124. ISBN   0816021740.
  36. 1 2 Somma, Louis A.; Fuller, Pam. "Common Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  37. ↑ "Caiman crocodilus (Spectacled Caiman)" (PDF). Sta.uwi.edu. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  38. ↑ Parks, Andrew J.; Godfrey, Sidney T.; Gross, Brandon A.; Balaguera-Reina, Sergio A.; Smith, Nicholas G.; Mazzotti, Frank J.; Densmore, Llewellyn D. (1 March 2024). "Not one but two: examining the genetic origin and characterization of the non-native spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) in Florida". Biological Invasions. 26 (3): 779–795. doi: 10.1007/s10530-023-03207-z . ISSN   1573-1464.
  39. ↑ "Caiman". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission . Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  40. 1 2 Webb, Grahame; Brien, Matthew; Manolis, Charlie; Medrano-Bitar, Sergio (6 May 2012). "Predicting total lengths of spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) from skin measurements: A tool for managing the skin trade" (PDF). Herpetological Conservation and Biology . 7 (1): 16–26. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  41. ↑ Laverty, Theresa M.; Dobson, Andrew P. (March 2013). "Dietary overlap between black caimans and spectacled caimans in the Peruvian Amazon". Herpetologica . 69 (1): 91–101. doi:10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-12-00031. S2CID   86391999.
  42. ↑ "Caiman crocodilus fuscus". CITES. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  43. ↑ "Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis". CITES. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.