Broad-snouted Caiman
Caiman latirostris
Class
Reptilia
Order
Crocodylia
Family
Alligatoridae
Broad-snouted Caiman
Range
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
Size
Length: Avg. 6.5 ft
Habitat
Mangroves, marshes, and swamps
Young
Clutch: 20 - 50 eggs
Incubation: 63 - 70 days
Diet
Insects and crustaceans when small; water snails, fish, mammals, and birds as it grows
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Description
Adults are pale olive green; older animals are nearly black. Juveniles are brownish olive, with dark stripes on the back and dark blotches on the head and sides of the lower jaw. It has an extremely short snout; the snout is nearly as wide at the eyes as it is long.
Reproduction
The broad-snouted caiman is a mound-nesting species. Eggs are laid in two layers, separated by vegetation.
Status
Habitat destruction is currently the greatest threat to this species. It was exploited for its hide, which yields a high-grade leather, especially in the middle 20th century.
How You Can Help
Advocate for Sustainable Development. Support policies and businesses that discourage destructive practices like unsustainable deforestation and wetland drainage for industrial agriculture.
Reduce Your Chemical Footprint. Be conscious of how you dispose of household chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers, as water runoff can carry these pollutants into larger river systems.
Support Clean Water Initiatives. Advocate for and support programs that monitor and reduce water pollution, especially industrial and agricultural runoff, in regions within the caiman's range.
Our Animals
Sasha Hatched May 1, 2010
