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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
caiman |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Reptilia |
| ORDER: |
Crocodylia |
| FAMILY: |
Alligatoridae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Three
genera (Caiman, Melanosuchus, and
Paleosuchus) encompassing 6 species) |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
Varies
according to species. All have wide, flat heads
with rounded noses. Eyeline ridge is slightly more
pronounced than in the closely related American
alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. When
mouth is closed, only teeth from upper jaw are visible. |
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| SIZE: |
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| MALE |
Smallest
species = Paleosuchus palpebrosus, 1.5 m |
| Largest
species = Melanosuchus niger, 4-6 m |
| FEMALE |
Smallest
species = Paleosuchus palpebrosus, 1.2 m |
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| DIET: |
As
juveniles, the various caiman species feed on crustaceans,
insects, small fish, amphibians, small mammals,
and birds. As adults, they feed on fish, birds,
other reptiles, amphibians, and various mammalian
species. |
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| INCUBATION: |
Varies
according to species. Up to 115 days. |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
Nest size varies from 10-70 eggs - again, depending
on species. |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
5-15
years, depending on species |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
Though
somewhat undetermined, current estimates place caimans'
life expectancy at 30-40 years. It should be noted,
however, that larger crocodilians have been documented
with lifespans of 70-90 years. Some accounts allow
for crocodilian lifespans in excess of 100 years. |
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| RANGE: |
Southern
Mexico & the remainder of the Central American
countries through South America to the northeastern
portion of Argentina. Chile is the only South American
nation which caimans to not inhabit. |
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| HABITAT: |
Estuaries,
swamps, lakes, streams, rivers, floodplains, and
the surrounding terrestrial environment |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Varies
according to species. |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Varies
according to species. |
| CITES |
Varies
according to species. Listed on CITES Appendix I
& II. |
| USFWS |
Varies
according to species. |
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| 1. |
The
black caiman, Melanosuchus niger, is the
largest member of the family Alligatoridae. |
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| 2. |
Cuvier's
dwarf caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus, is
the smallest member of the order Crocodylia. |
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| 3. |
The
common caiman, Caiman crocodilus, is the
most numerous of all crocodilians. |
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| 4. |
The
common caiman, C. crocodilus, is the most
hunted of all crocodilians - accounting for 60-80%
of the skin trade. |
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| 5. |
The
black caiman, M. niger, is unique among crocodilians
in that much of its juvenile coloration - yellowish
strips and spots - is retained well into its adult
life. This relatively vibrant coloration has caused
considerable population pressures for the species
as their hide is highly prized in the skin trade. |
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| 6. |
The
skin of Cuvier's dwarf caiman, P. palpebrosus,
is heavily ossified - making them less flexible
than other crocodilians. Their rather extreme dermal
armor, however, provides them with considerable
protections. They are so well armored, in fact,
that their patchwork of scutes have even been compared
to the hardened shell of certain turtles. |
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| While
population figures widely vary among caiman species,
each of them are affected to some extent by commecial
hunting pressures and habitat loss. As they are
- within their particular ecosytems - apex predators,
they play a key role in maintaining an overall population
balance with regard to the various species upon
which they feed. |
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| Encyclopedia
of Animals. pgs. 662-664; Weldon Owen Pty Limited.
1993. |
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| Crocodilian
Biology Database @ http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/brittoncrocs/cbd.html |
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Status
Survey and Conservation Action Plan - Crocodiles
@ http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/act-plan/plan1998a.htm#Contents
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