Caiman

Caiman yacare

I don’t know that I had ever heard the word “Caiman” before my trip to to Brazil.  In Texas, we call them Alligators.  In Australia, they call them Crocodiles.  In Brazil, they call them Caiman.  Whatever you call them, these amphibious carnivores are fascinating creatures. 

During my stay at the Jaguar Flotel in the heart of the Pantanal, I had the opportunity to observe a large number of Caiman.  On the evening of August 27, 2023, Xavi Tobin (the Southwild Naturalist assigned to the Flotel) gave a lecture on the Caiman.  Here are a few interesting facts from his lecture:

-The Black Caimain is the largest, reaching up to 15 feet
-Thermal regulation: they control body temperature two ways…their
spiny tail and opening their mouth
-You can determine their age by their length, grow at a uniform rate
-Their lungs shift to provide bouancy
-Each tooth is replaced about 50 times during their lifetime
-Are very visual, have very good eyesight

Below are some pictures of Caiman that I took during my trip to Brazil…