Reptiles · Crocodilia · Alligatoridae

Yacare Caiman

Caiman yacare

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The yacare caiman is a caiman of the family Alligatoridae endemic to the subtropical and tropical regions of South America that can reach 1.5 metres in length. Heavily armoured on the back and blackish or very dark olive in colour, the delicately marbled skin of its flanks and of juvenile animals long made it a favourite of the footwear industry. Protective measures have allowed it to recover; it is listed in Appendix II of the CITES list of protected species.

Weight

30 kg – 60 kg

Size

2 m – 3 m

Lifespan

40 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

SavannaFreshwaterGrasslandCarnivore Nocturnal Reptile Savanna Freshwater Grassland

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Fun facts

The Pantanal holds the largest concentration of crocodilians on the planet: millions of yacare caimans are estimated across the floodplain, and in the dry season hundreds of them crowd into the remaining pools.
Its recovery after the mass hunting of the 1980s, when hundreds of thousands of skins were exported a year, is one of the fastest documented in a large reptile: banning the trade was enough to reverse it within two decades.
Its lower teeth protrude outside the snout when its mouth is closed, a feature that gives it a characteristic look and sets it apart from other caimans.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
Habitat & environment: Rivers, marshes, lagoons and floodplains of the Pantanal, the Chaco and the Paraná basin
Sexual maturity: 6 years
Gestation / incubation: 75 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 30 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caiman_yacare