What is a Spectacled Caiman?

An extremely adaptable species and human beings pet is spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodiles). It got its name from the bony ridge placed between the orbits of the eyes. This looks like spectacles. Its upper eyelids are heavily ossified and are marked by a triangular ridge giving the Spectacled Caiman a rather prehistoric appearance.

Location

Caiman crocodilus are widely spread then any other species in the Alligatoridae family. Spectacled caiman habitat also includes Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Tobago, Trinidad and Venezuela. Their habitats are also found in low wetland areas and floodplains. Its known by different names in different areas of their dwellings such as Alligator in Guyana, Trinidad, Baba in Venezuela, Babilla in Colombia, Yacaré, Yacaré Tinga in Brazil, Lagarto, Lagarto Chato in Mexico, Central America, Lagarto Blanco in Ecuador, Peru, Yacaré Cascarudo in Argentina and Yacaré Jhu in Paraguay. These are few locations of spectacled caiman. You must research caiman to find about more locations.,

They can tolerate reasonable degree of salinity and if environmental conditions became too harsh they will make burrow into mud and aestivate.

Physical Features

Male Spectacled Caiman grows to a maximum height of 240 cm and Females grow upto 173 cm. Males weigh a maximum of 45 kg and females weigh 19 kg. Adult Spectacled Caimans are uniformly olive-green whereas their youngsters are khaki green with yellow and black bands along stomach and base of the tail. Spectacled Caimans have 72 to 78 teeth which are used for catching prey. Otherwise they will swallow their food. Like other members of their family, they have clear membrane that protects their eyes if they are opened underwater.

Babies Spectacled Caimans are shy in nature and spend lots of time hiding from view, whereas grownups are aggressive in nature. Caiman crocodilus are classified into different subspecies, which varies in size, skull morphology, and skin color.

What does Spectacled Caimans consume?

Young Spectacled Caiman eats aquatic invertebrates like insects, crustaceans, molluscs. As adults they love to have fish, amphibians, reptiles and water birds. They can also catch pigs easily. When there is a drought they will start eating other Caimans.

Continue to: Know More On Spectacled Caiman

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What is a Spectacled Caiman?

Location

Physical Features

What does Spectacled Caimans consume?

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