Crocodile Facts & Utilities
|
Crocodile Facts & Utilities
|
 Baby Crocodile CharacteristicsCrocodiles as PetsCrocodile Leather BenefitsBuying Crocodile ShoesCrocodile Skin ProductsAlligators and Crocodiles
Information on AlligatorsCrocodiles vs. AlligatorsEndangered Chinese AlligatorsRare White AlligatorConserving American AlligatorsFerocious Crocodile Details
Information on CrocodilesAvoiding Crocodile AttacksFresh water Crocodile HabitatSaltwater Crocodile ConservationAmerican Crocodile DetailsAbout Similar Reptiles
Handling Pet CaimansBlack Caiman FeaturesLocating Spectacled CaimansTypes of GavialsCrocodiles and SharksFree Newsletter
Stay updated, sign up for our free newsletter to receive useful tips Full NameEmail Id 
|
Ecological importance of Spectacled CaimanThey have ecological importance. The nitrogenous waste will re-enter the ecosystem giving nutrition contents to plants and animals. In areas where Spectacled Caiman are no longer in existence, fish populations have declined. Excellent Good Average Bad Terrible Current RatingReproductionFemales reach sexual maturity after 6 years, at an overall length of 114 cm. When the rain starts, youths will be encouraged to indulge in courtship and mating. After mating females build her nest with a mound of earth and plant matter at 40 cm height and 1 m diameter near water -bed. She will lay 12 to 44 eggs with a size of 29, depending on body size. She will guard the nest for 65-84 days during incubation period. During dry season, 20-23 cm long Hatchlings will make their presence felt who will remain under the protective care of their mother during first few months..Mortality RateDespite all maternal care only 20-25 per cent of the eggs survive. They often become prey to Tegu lizards, water birds, raptors, and other carnivorous animals. Some nests are also destroyed by flooding, trampling or human interference and if survived many die even before attaining the age of one year. Adult mortality, on the other hand is extremely low.Are Caimans hunted?Hunters are always on a look out for Spectacled Caimans. They are mostly hunted at night. During night hunters locate these animals by their eyes, which shine red in a torch beam. When night passes by they are herded into a section of the lagoon where they are easily captured. Animals are then harpooned, pulled ashore with ropes and killed. They are easy to catch in the dry season when the waters have receded.Despite strict legislations, the species provides most of the crocodilian leather used in United States. Some people hunt it for meat, and may also sell it as salted and dried slabs. Fresh caiman eggs are preferred in llanos region and desiccated hatchlings and young ones are often sold to tourists. PopulationThere are over one million spectacled Caimans in the wild making them the most populated of all Crocodilians. Spectacled Caiman is most popular pet among crocodilian enthusiasts and is a popular choice in a black market pet trade.Venezuelan llanos own 57 to 1119 Spectacled Caimans. There are also increase in privately owned captive breeding establishments, zoos and Government controls for protection and maintenance of this species. If hunting and the human interference is continued without interruption, then Spectacled Caiman will also be kept in the list of endangered species. Related ArticlesCaimans - Can You Have Them for Pets?Black Caiman - Get an Idea on these Nocturnal Giants Gavials - Fish for Food and Humans to Scare Shark vs. Crocodile - Who is Stronger? |
Suggest an Article
Haven´t found the article you are looking for, please suggest your article. We value all your suggestions and comments. 
|
Home |  |  |  | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Copyrights© Copyright 2008 crocsite.com All rights reserved. Read legal policy and privacy policy. |
