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A caiman (/ ˈ k eɪ m ə n / (also spelled cayman [3]) from Taíno kaiman [4] [additional citation(s) needed]) 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 ...
The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is a crocodilian reptile endemic to South America.With a maximum length of around 5 to 6 m (16 to 20 ft) and a mass of over 450 kg (1,000 lb), [6] it is the largest living species of the family Alligatoridae, and the third-largest crocodilian in the Neotropical realm.
This may be an underestimate of the animal's maximum size, as nearly all large adults have lost the tips of their tails and the largest specimen measured in the Pantanal region had a snout–vent length of 1.125 m (4 ft) (equivalent to a total length of 2.1 m (6.9 ft) with an intact tail). [13]
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).
Juvenile caimans feed on crustaceans and molluscs while larger animals feed on amphibians, fish, birds, mammals and reptiles. [ 4 ] A caiman nest is a mound of vegetation and mud consolidated by the female by lying on it.
This caiman is a dark greyish-brown with mid-brown eyes. Males grow to about 1.7 to 2.3 m (5 ft 7 in to 7 ft 7 in) long, with the largest recorded specimen being 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in). Females do not often exceed 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in). It is a robust crocodilian, strong for its size, and tends to carry its head high with its neck angled upwards.
[6] [15] As C. latirostris reaches maturity, the size of its prey tends to increase. Young adult caimans still maintain a diet consisting of mostly invertebrates; however, older animals greatly vary their diet, increasing their intake of small mammals, birds, larger fish, amphibians, and reptiles. [12] [14] [15]
The yacare caiman (Caiman yacare), also known commonly as the jacare caiman, Paraguayan caiman, piranha caiman, red caiman, [5] and southern spectacled caiman, [6] is a species of caiman, a crocodilian in the family Alligatoridae.