Crocodile caiman (Caiman crocodilus). Crocodile Caiman (Caiman crocodiles) Crocodile Caiman

Spectacled caimans are a genus of caimans that combine 2 species and 4 subspecies. These are rare crocodiles whose numbers are declining. They live in Southern and Central Africa.

All species and subspecies of spectacled caimans are in the Red Book. Today there is experience in breeding these caimans on farms in captivity.

Features of the appearance of spectacled caimans

Spectacled caimans differ from alligators in that they do not have a bony septum in the opening of the external nostrils, in addition, their maxillary and prefrontal bones do not touch, there is a bony shell on the belly, and 8 large scutes on the back of the head.

Spectacled caimans can be distinguished from other caimans due to the transverse ridge on the muzzle between the eyes. The ossification of the upper eyelid is weak, there are 5 teeth in the premaxilla, and the orbit is small. The body color of spectacled caimans is dark olive.

Crocodile caimans

One of the species of spectacled caimans are crocodile caimans, characteristic feature of which is a relatively long muzzle, tapering in front.

The body length of crocodile caimans is approximately 2.4-2.6 meters.

Adult crocodile caimans have through holes in the jaw into which large first and fourth teeth are placed. Sometimes, not pits are formed in the upper jaw, but notches, into which the fourth teeth are placed lower jaw, because of this, the skull takes on an appearance similar to that of a crocodile, hence the name of the species.

These caimans live in America: Mexico, Guiana, Venezuela, Colombia, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. They can live in brackish water, so they were able to spread from the continent to some nearby islands: Gorgonilla, Gorgon and Trinidad. Sometimes they can even be found in the sea off the coast.

Crocodile caimans prefer quiet waters, they mainly live in small rivers and swamps. They settle thanks to floating islands of water hyacinths and other aquatic plants, which can sometimes be more than 900 square meters in size. These floating islands float down the rivers. They are home to young caimans who travel long distances and end up in the open sea.

The diet of young crocodile caimans consists mainly of aquatic insects, and adult individuals attack any prey they can handle: fish, freshwater crabs, snails.

Breeding in these caimans occurs throughout the year, but the peak occurs in January-March.

Females lay eggs in nests, which are constructed from rotting plants, next to water. A crocodile caiman's clutch can contain from 15 to 30 eggs. Adult males live in certain territories; if boundaries are violated, fights occur between males. Today, the numbers of these caimans have declined sharply due to overhunting of these animals for their highly prized skin.

Broad-faced caimans

The second species of spectacled caimans are the broad-faced caimans. They differ from the first species in their wider muzzle. The width of the muzzle near the eye sockets exceeds its length. These caimans do not have through holes for teeth in the upper jaw.

Broad-faced caimans live in South America: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay. Throughout their habitat, a decline in the number of these caimans has been observed.

Broad-faced caimans live in shallow rivers, lagoons and swamps with dense vegetation. They often settle in salty or brackish waters. Also found in mangroves.

In summer, broad-snouted caimans bask in the sun in the morning. In autumn and spring, they warm up additionally in the evenings. In winter they appear only in sunny days warm days. Thanks to behavioral thermal insulation, the temperature of broad-faced caimans is kept at 31-32 degrees Celsius. Small individuals bask in the sun, climbing trees.

The diet of broad-snouted caimans consists of aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks and small vertebrates.

Spectacled caimans mature at 1.5-2 years. In Uruguay they make nests in January, in Brazil from August to January, and in Argentina from January to March. The nest of dry vegetation looks like a mound. Females make nests on floating islands or nearby water. The diameter of the nest can exceed 1.5 meters. There are from 20 to 60 eggs in a clutch, but in Paraguay the clutches are more numerous - approximately 60-90 eggs. The eggs are covered with a very strong lumpy shell and are elliptical in shape; they weigh about 84 grams. The incubation period lasts approximately 90 days at a temperature of 30-32 degrees.

During the incubation of eggs, the female broad-faced caiman becomes extremely aggressive, and she spends most of her time near the nest and leaves it only when hunting. When the baby caimans hatch, they beep and the female digs up the nest and then carries the babies in her mouth to the water. During the first year of their life, young individuals stay close to the nesting site.

The broad-faced caiman population is threatened by habitat destruction and commercial exploitation. In Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, hunting caimans is prohibited, and the export of these reptiles is also not allowed. In Bolivia, there are restrictions on catching broad-faced caimans.

In Paraguay they live in a protected reserve. Argentina and Brazil have National parks, where wide-faced caimans found shelter.

To increase security measures, it is planned to organize serious control over the catching and all other types of exploitation of caimans, create a network of specialized protected areas and monitor population dynamics. Like many caimans, broad-snouted caimans can breed in captivity; these reptiles regularly give birth in zoos in Rio de Janeiro and Japan.

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The caiman is a crocodile that belongs to the alligator family. Alligators are smaller than real crocodiles, they have wider and shorter snouts, and they are also quite lazy and not as aggressive. Caymans form separate genus. These reptiles differ from other members of the family by the presence of a protective bony shell, which is located on the belly. The genus has 3 species. All of their representatives live in South America. One of the species, namely crocodile or spectacled cayman, also inhabits Central America.

Types of caimans

Crocodile or spectacled caiman lives in swampy and river areas. Well tolerated salt water. It is of average size for crocodiles. Males are larger than females and reach a length of 1.8-2.5 meters. Weight fluctuates around 45 kg. Maximum length 2.5 meters and weight 58 kg. Females reach a length of 1.6 meters and weigh 25 kg. The name spectacle comes from the bony ridge located between the eyes. From the outside it looks like glasses on the face. Color grey-green. During the cold season, the skin has the ability to darken and makes the reptile almost black. Juveniles have a yellow color, diluted with black stripes and spots.

Broad-faced caiman lives in eastern and central regions South America. These are freshwater swamps among mangrove forests. The body length of adult males reaches 2-2.5 meters with a weight of 35 to 62 kg. Females are smaller on average by 15%. Some old males grow up to 3.5 meters in length. The skin color is olive green. There are light spots on the face. It is very wide, which makes it easier to push through dense thickets mangrove swamps. This species tolerates low temperatures well and is found at altitudes of up to 600 meters above sea level.

Lives in the central regions of South America. It can be found in Paraguay, Bolivia, southern Brazil and northern Argentina. Inhabits low-lying swampy areas. Males reach 2-2.5 meters in length. Sometimes they grow up to 3 meters. The length of females is 1.4 meters. Body weight ranges from 55 kg in males and 20-25 kg in females. This type is a treat for anacondas. Jaguars also attack the reptile. The color of the skin is dark green. On the lower jaw, the reptile has long teeth that protrude beyond the lower jaw.

Reproduction

The caiman reaches sexual maturity with a body length of 1.2-1.4 meters. Taking into account the fact that these reptiles are social individuals, males have different statuses. Dominant reptiles grow faster and mature earlier. Mating season falls during the rainy season, although the temperature at this time is lower than in the dry season. This is May-August, when in Southern Hemisphere It's winter. The female builds a nest in the thickets, raking rotting plants into a heap. The eggs burrow into this pile. On average there are 40 eggs in a clutch, but sometimes there are 60 or 20.

The temperature in the nest is maintained constant due to rotting processes. The incubation period lasts from 70 to 90 days depending on the species. The sex of a reptile depends directly on temperature. If it was kept at a level of 31 degrees Celsius and below, then males hatch from the eggs. If the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius or higher, then females are born. These reptiles have a very highly developed maternal instinct. All cubs are collected in quiet pools, where they are under the supervision of females. Moreover, they do not differentiate between their own and other people’s children. Such careful care continues for up to 4 months, until the water begins to subside after wet season. Only after this the younger generation begins to lead an independent life.

Nutrition and numbers

These representatives of the crocodile order are not as bloodthirsty and aggressive as their relatives living in Africa, Asia and Australia. They eat insects, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic snails and of course fish. A mature caiman can also attack larger animals, for example, a medium-sized ungulate. It is believed that these representatives of the alligator family control the number of piranhas in river waters South America. But this point of view still needs practical evidence.

Representatives of this kind are of little commercial interest to people. The thing is that the skin on the belly is not suitable for processing, since it is covered on top with horny plates. Only the skin on the sides is valuable, but not much of it. However, after the number of other crocodiles dropped to a minimum, caimans began to be shot. This certainly affected their numbers, but not as tragically as in other animal species.

Currently, the number of 2 species remains at a stable level and amounts to many hundreds of thousands of individuals. But the number of Paraguayan caiman fluctuates around 200 thousand individuals. This is very small, so a special program is in place to preserve this species. Within its framework, there are crocodile farms in Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

Caymans ( Caiman) is the common name of 3 genera of reptiles (Caiman, Melanosuchus and Paleosuchus) of the alligator family. They differ from alligators proper by the absence of a bony septum in the olfactory cavity and the presence of a bony abdominal shell.

Caiman crocodilus (Crocodile Caiman)
Caiman yacare (Yakarian caiman)
Caiman latirostros (Broadnose caiman)

Translated from Spanish, “caiman” means “alligator, crocodile.” All three species are common in Central and South America.

In the past, these amazing animals had powerful religious significance. In some ancient Egyptian cults, dating back to 1800 BC, crocodiles were believed to be relatives of a crocodile-headed god called "Sebek" and were an object of worship. On the islands of the Indo-Pacific region, the relationship between man and crocodile was more tragic and bloody. On the island of Timor, a virgin girl was sacrificed to crocodiles every year. In our time, in modern society, sacrifices like this are no longer made and the cult of the crocodile has lost its meaning. There were similar cults in many cultures, which created crocodiles bad reputation, which they still maintain today.

Distribution: The spectacled caiman is distributed in Central and South America: from Chiapas in the north to the mouth of the Parana in the south. The species has been recorded in the following countries: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Tobago, Trinidad, United States, Venezuela In this vast territory The caiman forms 3-5 subspecies.

The crocodile caiman has a typical crocodilian appearance with a relatively long snout that tapers in front. By appearance, due to the special structure of the skin and outgrowths on the head, the caiman most closely resembles prehistoric monster. The bony growths located on the head between and around the eyes resemble glasses, hence the first name of the caiman: spectacled. Like other members of their family, caimans have a transparent membrane that protects their eyes when diving if they are open underwater.

In adult wasps, through holes are formed to accommodate the large - first and fourth - teeth of the lower jaw (in the premaxillary bone in front of the nostrils and in the area of ​​the suture between the premaxillary and maxillary bones). Often, the outer wall of the skull is destroyed on one or both sides, forming not pits, but notches in the edges of the upper jaw to accommodate the fourth teeth of the lower jaw. This gives the skull an appearance common to the skulls of real crocodiles, which led to another specific name for the species: crocodile. In total, caimans have from 72 to 78 teeth.

Color: The general tone of the body varies from light brown to chestnut, against which there are from 4 to 5 dark brown transverse stripes located on the body and from 7 to 8 on the tail. Many caimans have large, dark brown spots on both sides of the lower jaw. Eye color ranges from ocher to light brown.

Younger caimans have a camouflage (protective) yellowish-green coloration with black spots along the belly and base of the tail, gradually changing to a matte olive green color.

Cayman, like a chameleon, has amazing ability change body color especially if it becomes cold. In this case, the black pigment cells expand, as a result of which the caiman’s body darkens significantly, acquiring a dark olive-brown color.

In length, animals reach 2.4-2.7 m, but as a rule, most individuals do not exceed 200 cm. In general, male caimans are one third larger than females and, in addition, differ from them by a slightly wider head and tail.

Voice: Small caimans make a short, creaking croaking sound (“kraaaa”) when displeased or threatened. Older animals make a long hissing sound in a hoarse voice, which can be approximately described as one extended “sh”. In most cases, they repeatedly repeat this hissing, after which the small mouth remains wide open for some time, and only then very slowly closes.

Adult animals regularly “bark”, really loudly.

Habitat: This species of caiman is common throughout its range, where it inhabits tropical and subtropical water bodies, especially those heavily overgrown with vegetation. They prefer quiet banks and are more often found in swamps and small rivers. They also feel comfortable in lakes and ponds, and are also found even in brackish water.

Caimans prefer to rest and hide among floating vegetation. Therefore, it is not without reason that floating islands, formed from water hyacinths (Eichhornia) and other plants, sometimes reaching significant sizes (over 900 m2) and are often carried downstream of rivers, play an important role in the distribution of these animals. These floating islands (“mats”) provide shelter for young caimans and can transport them long distances and into the open sea. They are tolerant of brackish water, which allowed them to spread from the continent of America to some islands close to the mainland: Trinidad, the small islands of Gorgon and Gorgonilla off the western coast of Colombia. Crocodile caimans were sometimes even found in the sea near the coast.

Enemies: The main threat to the caiman is habitat destruction and poaching. The eggs are often eaten by lizards, such as Tupinambis spp., which often destroy the nest completely and often damage up to a quarter of all nests.

In nature, caimans feed on almost any living organism that is available in a given area and for a given age of the caiman.

Juveniles feed mainly on aquatic insects. As they grow, the percentage of invertebrates in the diet decreases and is enriched with crustaceans (crayfish and crabs), mollusks, fish, amphibians and other living creatures. In some regions their production is large quantities become Aga toads. Some researchers argue that the crocodile caiman regulates the number of piranhas to a certain extent.

Adult animals attack any prey they can handle. Although the main diet consists of fish and small semi-aquatic vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds), they are able to get enough large mammals such as the capybara and wild peccary pig.

Crocodiles stop feeding during dry periods. Cases of cannibalism have been observed among individuals of this species.

Little captives eat crickets, mealworm larvae, and goldfish. When they become large, their diet is enriched with chicks, squid, freshly cut or whole trout. Live or fresh fish should only form a small part of their diet. It is prudent to fortify food with additional calcium (broken animal bones) to prevent metabolic disorders and avoid the development of bone diseases due to chronic calcium deficiency, which is common among crocodiles.

All types of caiman with early childhood aggressive and angry. However, crocodile caimans, kept in captivity from the first day after birth, gradually get used to the people caring for them and treat them with trust. At the same time, it is important to feed the caimans regularly - twice a week, so as not to drive predators into a hungry frenzy and not expose yourself to danger. Therefore, the spectacled caiman is considered one of the best objects (of all crocodiles) for keeping in captivity and especially for beginner terrarium keepers.

In nature, the aggressiveness of the crocodile caiman is most pronounced during the dry season, when the animals starve for a long time due to the lack of sufficient food. Caymans holding a forced post become cannibals at the first opportunity, tearing apart their weaker comrades. It is during this period that a careless person can become their prey.

Social Structure: There is a definite social hierarchy among caimans in nature. Adult males occupy certain territory and fight with males who violate the boundaries of individual territories. Weaker and younger caimans can partially use the territory of dominant individuals. Wherein social status of a particular individual affects the growth of the animal, and therefore its readiness for reproduction. Therefore, a non-dominant, subordinate animal has less chance of reproduction.

Reproduction: During the wet season, female caiman build nests near the water among thickets of coastal vegetation; less often, they dig a shallow hole in sandy coastal soil, where they build a nest. Nests are usually built in shelters or on floating hyacinth “rafts” of algae and rotting plant debris. One female can build several nests, which helps increase the survival rate of the young. Often, females can use “communal” (common) nests to lay eggs, carefully protecting them from predators through joint efforts. There are usually 15-40 eggs in a clutch, with an average of 25.

Breeding Season/Period: Caimans breed throughout the year, but are predominantly associated with the rainy season. In Colombia, breeding is especially intense from January to March. In other areas, courtship and mating occur between May and July, less often until August.

Puberty: Animals reach sexual maturity at approximately 5 years. Females become sexually mature at a body length of 120 - 150 cm (age between 4-7 years), males - at 140-160 cm in body length (4-7 years).

The incubation period averages from 75-80 to 85-90 days, depending on the specific conditions of the area.

Offspring: Within incubation period The female guards and vigorously defends the nest with eggs. The eggs of the crocodile caiman are hunted by many predators, especially lizards, which can destroy up to 80% of all nests. Shortly before the babies hatch, the female opens a nest with eggs and helps the babies at birth. The cubs have a yellowish to brownish body color, which is interrupted by dark, almost black, transverse stripes. 6 on the body and 7 on the tail. In the cubs, the end of their faces resembles, like in young alligators, a duck's beak. And in fact, until they reach a body length of about 80 cm, when searching for food, the young use their “beak” just like ducks, when they feed mainly on insects, mollusks and crustaceans, and less often on small ribs.

The cubs remain with the mother, who protects them: when in danger, they emit squeaking alarm signals, then the females immediately try to drive away predators. One female can gather around her cubs from several nests from different parents. At this time, a hierarchy is established between teenagers. Despite all the efforts of the females, many of the young caimans will still fall prey to numerous predators.

Caimans (like some other reptiles) are characterized by temperature-dependent sex determination, that is, unlike most other animals, the sex of small crocodiles depends on the temperature in the nest during the incubation period of the eggs. A warm nest will produce more males, whereas a cold nest will skew the sex ratio towards females.

This species does not attract the attention of leather hunters because... Crocodile caiman skin is not suitable for tanning. However, the caiman is quite popular as a captive animal among crocodile enthusiasts. The crocodile caiman is perhaps the most commonly traded of all crocodilians.

Caimans, as apex predators, play a central role in the balance of some ecosystems. In particular, caimans serve as a pipeline for transporting nitrogen through the ecosystem, fertilizing the water pools (nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth.)

Population/Conservation Status:

Caimans are now a thriving species, with a population estimated at 100,000. Because caiman skin is not suitable for tanning, caimans have benefited from the hunting of other crocodiles in previous decades by ridding them of competitors and taking over their habitats. Nowadays, caimans are also widely hunted, but they seem to survive well, perhaps because the bulk of the population consists of small individuals, and hunters focus their attention mainly on large males. Therefore, despite the hunt local residents, the crocodile caiman population is out of danger.

The species is listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention and in the IUCN Red Book under category: LRlc (LOW RISK, LEAST CONCERN), as some subspecies need protection.

Subspecies of crocodile caiman:

Caiman crocodilus crocodilus, the main subspecies of the caiman, it is found in northern to northeastern South America (Venezuela, Guiana, and the lower Amazon)

Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis, Rio Apaporis, it lives in northwestern South America (Colombia)

Caiman crocodilus fuscus, northern crocodile caiman, it lives in Mexico and Central America

Caiman crocodilus matogrossiensis, Mato Grosso crocodile caiman - southern Brazil

Caiman crocodilus paraguayensis, Grand Chaco crocodile caiman, it lives in Paraguay (west of Rio Verde, Rio Negro, Rio Confuso and Rio Pilcomayo)

Caiman crocodilus yacare, the southern crocodile caiman, it comes from the middle part of South America (from southern Bolivia and southern Brazil south all the way to the mouth of the Rio Parana)

Currently, this subspecies is often distinguished as a separate independent species, Caiman yacare.

Subspecies Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis (Apaporis caiman)- lives in the southeast of Colombia within 200 km along the upper reaches of the Apoporis River. Other populations are known outside Colombia that do not belong to the present subspecies and should be considered a form of C. c. crocodilus with a thin snout.

The Apapori caiman is listed in Appendix I of the CITES Convention and in the IUCN Red List under category: NA (NOT ASSESSED). The exact population size is unknown, approximately 1000 animals. It is a little-studied subspecies existing within a small range.

Externally, the caiman differs from other subspecies of C. crocodilus - its muzzle is noticeably narrower, the color is brighter. In all other respects it is similar to other caimans. Has 84-86 teeth. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates and fish. Judging by the shape of its snout, this caiman's diet is based on fish.

The Apoporis caiman can interbreed with C. crocodilus caimans of other subspecies, disrupting the purity of the subspecies' genetic lineage. These caimans do not breed in captivity.

Subspecies Caiman crocodilus fuscus (Brown caiman)- found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, southern Mexico, Venezuela. Within this subspecies there is a Mexican and Central American race called C. c. chiapasius. Introduced to Cuba and Puerto Rico. Common throughout its distribution range, both in freshwater and salt water, the population size is 100,000. Listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention and in the IUCN Red List under category: LRlc (LOW RISK, LEAST CONCERN).

The average size of a brown caiman is 1-2 m. Outwardly it is similar to other caimans, from which it differs in a darker olive-brown color. In the south of the range, the color is greenish-olive, more similar to the nominate race.

The brown caiman feeds on aquatic invertebrates ( for the most part snails, crustaceans) and fish. breeds all year round. The female makes a nest of aquatic plants, into which she lays 15-30 eggs. Incubation lasts 75 - 80 days.

This subspecies of caimans is not well studied. Within Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, only a small percentage of young caimans are known to survive. The reason is the degradation of habitual habitats, illegal trade and hunting. In Ecuador, Mexico and Venezuela the situation is more favorable - here caimans are a protected species, and in Colombia and Panama - due to strict hunting controls.

Caiman yacare (Yakarian caiman)- (other names: Paraguayan caiman, red caiman, piranha caiman, southern spectacled caiman). "Yakar" is the local name for alligator. Until recently, it was considered a subspecies of Caiman crocodilus. Currently allocated to separate species.

The Yacar caiman lives in northern Argentina, southern Brazil and Paraguay. Inhabits swamps and swampy lowlands, often hiding among floating islands of greenery. Among all its relatives, the range of the Yakar caiman extends further south than others.

The Yakar caiman is a protected species, listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention, and included in the IUCN Red List under the LRlc category (LOW RISK, LEAST CONCERN). Estimated population size is between 100,000 and 200,000. Illegal hunting in the 1970s and 80s. has significantly reduced the population compared to what traditionally lived in this area, but remains in satisfactory condition even during periods of drought.

The Yakar caiman is similar in appearance to Caiman crocodilus, reaching a body length of 2.5 to 3 m. Like other caimans, it has osteoderms - bony scutes on the skin. Skin fragments with the smallest number of osteoderms are used industrially. This species received the name "piranha caiman" from characteristic structure teeth, in which individual long teeth of the lower jaw can extend beyond the upper jaw.

The Yakar caiman feeds on aquatic invertebrates (especially snails) and vertebrates - fish, and rarely snakes. During the breeding season, caimans build nests in which the female lays 21-38 eggs. This occurs in the middle of the rainy season. Females defend the nest throughout incubation. In areas where caimans are actively hunted, females leave the nests immediately after laying eggs. The young hatch in March. Like Caiman crocodilus, C. yacare is capable of reproducing at a relatively rapid rate compared to other crocodiles, an ability that helps maintain population numbers.

There are joint programs to preserve the caiman population in Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina with the involvement of Paraguay. In Bolivia, breeding of caimans is practiced, living in natural conditions, and there are crocodile farms in Brazil and Argentina. All this, combined with active educational work and environmental programs to preserve the habitats of caimans, should help stabilize their populations.

Caiman latirostros (Broadnose caiman)- found in reservoirs of the Atlantic coast in northern Argentina, Bolivia, on the small islands of southeastern Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The distribution range of the broadnose caiman overlaps that of the yacar caiman Caiman yacare, but these subspecies do not come into conflict because they prefer different habitats.

The broadnose caiman lives in mangrove swamps, swampy lowlands with fresh water, leads a strictly aquatic lifestyle. It prefers to settle in slow-moving waters in the middle of dense forests, but can occupy other bodies of water provided that C. yacare is not there. The caiman successfully exists near human habitation, in particular on ponds where livestock is watered. Both subspecies are capable of carrying low temperatures and are found at altitudes up to 600 m above sea level. Individuals that live in harsh conditions, have a dark color, capable of better absorbing the sun's rays.

The broadnose caiman is a medium-sized crocodile with a body length of up to 3.5 m, although on average males do not exceed two meters in length. Females also do not exceed 2 m; they are usually even smaller. The muzzle is wide, even wider than that of Alligator mississippiensis. Along the entire muzzle there is a bony shield, characteristic of this subspecies, the surface of the back is covered with durable ossified scales. Adult caimans have a light olive-green coloration; according to some observations, separate spots are visible on the jaws (as in Caiman yacare, they do not merge).

The broadnose caiman feeds primarily on water snails, but supplements its diet with other invertebrates and small vertebrates (fish and amphibians). Larger individuals hunt big catch, their jaws can bite through turtle shells. In those places where C. latirostris lives, the infection of livestock with worms decreases.

Despite the high content of keratinized scales, the skin of the caiman is suitable for dressing, which makes it attractive for prey. Poaching has contributed to the population decline. Another problem is the degradation of habitual habitats - pollution and deforestation as a result of the construction of hydroelectric power stations and the expansion of agricultural plantations. In Argentina, there are programs for breeding broad-faced caimans on crocodile farms.

The broadnose caiman is a protected species. Listed in Appendix I of the CITES Convention (Except Argentina, where it is listed in Appendix II). Listed in the IUCN Red Book under category: LRlc (LOW RISK, LEAST CONCERN). The population numbers between 250,000 and 500,000 individuals and is considered stable.

Some researchers propose to distinguish the subspecies Caiman latirostris chacoensis, which lives in Argentina. Argentine caiman smaller in size(large males reach a length of no more than 2 m). This proposal has not yet been officially approved.

And where does he live now? The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy was made -

The caiman is a crocodile that belongs to the alligator family, but is somewhat different from them. Alligators are smaller than crocodiles, with wide and short snouts, and are lazier and less aggressive. Caymans are a separate genus of the family. They do not have a bony partition on their muzzle, but they do have a protective abdominal shell.

Types of caimans

The caiman is a crocodile, which means it is a formidable and dangerous animal. Although not as aggressive as other representatives of the squad. There are three types of representatives of the genus:

• crocodile (spectacled);
• broad-nosed;
• Yakarsky

All of the listed species of caimans are common in South and Central America. The crocodile (spectacled) is divided into two species and four subspecies. All of them are listed in the Red Book as representatives of an endangered species of animals.

Crocodile (spectacled) caiman

Crocodile caiman - small, has a narrow long muzzle. Ahead it narrows even more. The second name - “spectacled” - was given to the caiman for the bony outgrowths on its head, located around and between the eyes and resembling glasses. Males can reach from 2 to 2.5 meters in length, and females - up to 1.4 m. The weight of the crocodile caiman does not exceed 45 kilograms. Juveniles are yellow in color with black stripes and spots along the body.

Adult crocodiles turn olive green. Thanks to melanophore cells, they can change color slightly. Subspecies of crocodile caimans differ in the outline of the skull, color and size. This type is the most common. Inhabits rivers from Peru to Mexico.

Broadnose caiman

The broadnose caiman is a crocodile distinguished by its snout. Its length is from 2 to 3.5 meters. Weight ranges from 35 to 62 kilograms. Well tolerated high temperature. The back of the broad-nosed caiman is covered with durable, ossified scales. Color: light green, olive. It lives in the waters of Bolivia, Brazil and northern Argentina. Lives next to the Yakar caiman. These species are not hostile to each other.

Yakar caiman

The Yakarsky (or Paraguayan, piranha) caiman, a photo of which is in this article, was previously a subspecies of the crocodile. But later it was isolated as a separate species. Externally, the Yakar caiman is similar to a crocodile. Body length is from 2.5 to 3 meters. Weight ranges from 20 to 25 kilograms in females and up to 55 kg in males. Like all caimans, it has bony scutes on its skin. The crocodile received its second name - “piranha” - for the structure of its teeth, when the lower ones extend beyond the upper front ones. It lives in northern Argentina, southern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia.

Caimans habitats

So, a caiman is a crocodile. That’s why it loves wetlands where it can hide and find large snags. But each species of caimans prefers a specific habitat. Crocodiles love wet lowlands and live near bodies of water. They prefer standing water. The broadnose caiman lives in swampy lowlands. Favorite place- mangrove swamps. Can live in both fresh and salt water. It often settles in ponds near human habitation. The Yakar caiman lives in swampy lowlands and swamps. Likes to hide on

Cayman food

The caiman is an unpretentious animal and not as aggressive and bloodthirsty as its relatives. It even eats insects. The main food is shellfish, fish, freshwater crabs and amphibians. If a crocodile is large in size, then it hunts large vertebrates and mammals.

The main diet of the broadnose caiman consists of water snails and other small non- and vertebrates. Although a large individual can even bite through a turtle shell. The Yakar caiman eats aquatic invertebrates, fish and occasionally snakes. His favorite “dish” is snails.

Reproduction

The caiman is a crocodile from the alligator family. Sexual maturity occurs at a body length of 1.2 to 1.4 m. Dominant males grow much faster. And they reach sexual maturity sooner. The mating season is the rainy season. Approximately from May to August. Females build nests from rotting plants in the thickets. This is where the eggs are laid. Average masonry - 40 pieces.

Due to the rotting of plants in the nest, it is maintained constant temperature. The incubation period lasts from 70 to 90 days. The sex of the caimans depends on the temperature in which the eggs were kept. If it is above 32 degrees, females are born. If lower - males.

All the mothers' cubs are collected into quiet backwaters, where the babies grow up under their supervision. Moreover, females do not differentiate between their own and other people’s cubs. They care for babies up to four months. Then the young begin a separate life.

The importance of caimans in the outside world

The cayman is known to be a crocodile. Only small and not so aggressive. Caymans occupy an important place in the ecosystem. If their numbers decline, the fish population becomes smaller. Thanks to crocodiles, the number of piranhas is regulated. IN Lately The catch of crocodile caimans has increased. Their skin is poorly processed due to the abdominal bony scutes, so it is taken only from the sides.

So far, the number of crocodile caimans is not declining. In addition, they are bred on special farms. But, nevertheless, hunting crocodile caimans is prohibited in Venezuela, Mexico and some other countries.

But the skin of a broad-nosed crocodile is more suitable for dressing. Therefore, its population fell slightly in the mid-20th century. But the broad-nosed caiman is saved by the inaccessibility of its habitats. Special crocodile farms have been created in Argentina. The broad-nosed caiman is bred on them, a photo of which is in this article.

The number of Yakar caiman does not exceed two hundred thousand individuals. Therefore, in Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil and some other countries it is included in the protection program. In addition, special farms have been created where the Yakar caiman is raised.

There are different types of crocodiles - big and small. There are those who will happily feast on you at the first opportunity, and there are those who will also happily live in your bath, just feed them on time and tastier. When people talk about small crocodiles, they most often mean caimans. So we’ll talk about them, or rather read them.

The main habitats of crocodile caimans are Central and South America. This vast territory is home to about 3-5 species of caimans. Their natural habitats were tropical and subtropical reservoirs with dense vegetation, small rivers, lakes, ponds, or sea ​​coast, because some species are tolerant of brackish water. The latter circumstance allowed them to move to nearby islands, including Trinidad and Tobago.

Caimans love to hide in aquatic vegetation and this habit has played into their hands. Floating islands, which often floated downstream or even into open ocean, taking with them small crocodiles.

Crocodile caimans are small reptiles. The length of males reaches 2-2.5 meters, while females grow no more than 1.5 meters. Adults are olive green in color, while juveniles are yellow or brown with black spots and stripes scattered throughout the body. Caimans are able to change their color depending on their body temperature. They darken and eventually turn olive brown.

Caymans can communicate. When in danger, small crocodiles make short hissing sounds; in adults they are more hoarse and drawn-out.

Fish, shellfish, amphibians, freshwater crabs - all this constitutes the main diet of caimans. Larger individuals attack small mammals and birds. Young crocodiles feed mainly on arthropods and aquatic insects.

Their breeding season begins in May and lasts until August. In July-August, females begin to build or look for nests. There are from 15 to 40 eggs in one clutch. During the entire incubation period, the female remains close to the nest and guards the clutch. The main enemy here is the teyu lizards, which hunt for these eggs. Sometimes they can destroy up to 80% of the masonry. After 90 days, the crocodiles hatch. At first they stay close to their mother.

Over the past decade, the number of crocodile caimans has declined sharply due to hunting for their skin. All subspecies are listed in the International Red Book.