Yacare caiman

Yacare caiman
In the Pantanal, Brazil
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Alligatoridae
Genus: Caiman
Species: C. yacare
Binomial name
Caiman yacare
Daudin, 1802

Description

Taxidermy specimen of a Wetland alligator (Caiman yacare)

The yacare caiman (Caiman yacare, jacaré in Portuguese) is a species of caiman found in central South America, including northeastern Argentina, Uruguay, southeastern Peru, eastern Bolivia, central/southwest Brazil, and the rivers of Paraguay. About 10 million individual yacare caimans exist within the Brazilian pantanal, representing what is quite possibly the largest single crocodilian population on Earth.

As a small and medium-sized crocodilian, most adult males grow to roughly 2 or 2.5 m (6.6 or 8.2 ft) in length, with the occasional 3 m (9.8 ft) individual (reports of 4 m (13 ft) individuals within the pantanal are yet to be verified). Females are rather smaller at an average of 1.4 m (4.6 ft). Body mass in this species can range up to 58 kg (128 lb) in males and from 14 to 23 kg (31 to 51 lb) in females.[2] Their relatively smaller size makes them a potential prey of the jaguar[3] and anaconda.[4]

This species' diet consists primarily of fish (especially piranha) and birds, reptiles, small mammals. With the occasional large mammals (especially capybara) being taken by larger adults. In general, due to their size, this species is not considered to be fatally dangerous to humans.

References

  1. ↑ Crocodile Specialist Group (2008). "Caiman yacare". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 17 August 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of Lower Risk/least concern.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/27/jaguar-attacks-crocodile-caiman-video_n_4004616.html
  4. ↑ http://www.discoveryuk.com/web/swimming-with-monsters/about/anaconda-facts/
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