is found in both the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, within the forested regions surrounding shallow streams. Their range covers a wide area in South America, from Peru in the west to French Guiana in the east (Ross,1989; Britton, 2001).
This species is found in and around cool, fast-flowing forest streams and rivers, often near waterfalls or rapids. It seems to prefer cooler water than other crocodilians (Ross, 1989; Alderton, 1991; Britton, 2001).
is the second smallest species of crocodilian in the world. Males of this species will grow to a length ranging from 1.7 to 2.3m, while females generally peak at 1.4 meters.
Hatchlings emerge with a golden patch on their heads that disappears as they further develop. Because of this patch, they are often referred to as ‘crowned caimans.’
and it’s relative, P. palpebrosus are born with brown eyes, as opposed to other crocodilians, which have yellow eyes. Both species also lack a ridge nestled between the eyes that is more typical in the related genera Caiman and Melanosuchus, hence the common name "smooth-fronted" caimans.
As they develop, the skin ofbecomes more bony and ridged, and the scutes are very large and sharp, allowing for better protection suited for life on the land. The tail is short, with two rows of scutes that project laterally, giving the appearance of a wider tail. The tail’s heavy ossification and lack of flexibility, coupled with a more pointed snout that aids in reducing water resistance, may help the animal swim in fast currents.
This species has more and larger bony plates in its skin (called osteoderms) than most other crocodilians.
(Alderton, 1991; Ross, 1989; Britton, 2001; Cogger and Zweifel, 1992)
In some crocodilian species the sex of individuals is determined by the temperature they incubated at as eggs. We don't know if this is the case for this species. We know that the eggs must be maintained at 28-32° C for proper development, and their incubation time is much longer than for most other crocodilians (Magnusson 1989).
Not much is known about courtship and mating in this species. Unlike many other crocodilians, they do not use loud calls to locate mates. Adults are very territorial, and males may chase off potential rivals.
males reach sexual maturity when they have grown to at least 1.4 meters, females at around 1.3 meters. This size is thought to correspond to 10-20 years of age.
Females of this species lay 10-20 eggs, during the late part of the dry season. Hatchlings thus emerge after annual rains of filled nearby streams. Females usually do not usually breed every year.
Eggs incubate in the nest for over 100 days, significantly longer than many other crocodilian species.
(Ross, 1989; Magnusson, 1989; Alderton, 1991)
Females build mound nests of decaying vegetation, and lay the eggs inside. They often build their nests next to termite mounds, apparently taking advantage of the heat generated by the nest. Sometimes they'll build on an old nest site, even if the termite nest is dead. Apparently the heat from the decaying vegetation in the nest is sufficient to incubate the eggs properly. This is the only species of crocodilian that nests around termites this way. The behavior may help compensate for the lack of heat from sunlight, in the shady forest habitat these animals live in (Magnusson 1989).
Mothers guard their nests until the eggs hatch, and protects her hatchlings in the water for several weeks. Adults may respond to the distress calls from young caimans that are not their own offspring (Ross 1989).
Little is known about the lifespan of this species, but they very likely can live for more than 25 years (Britton 2001).
is a solitary species, only congregating during the breeding season. Individually, adults will often have territories that they patrol ranging up to 1000 meters along streamsides. The range of this species also overlaps its relative, Paleosuchus palpebrosus, but it's not clear how the two interact.
adults are often nocturnal, and may spend their days hiding in burrows, hollow logs or other debris near streams. At night the hunt in and around the streams (Ross, 1989; Alderton, 1991; Britton, 2001).
has several dietary stages form birth on up to adulthood. Hatchlings eat aquatic insects and other arthropods. Juveniles, while still eating insects, begin eating other vertebrates, such as small fish, birds and reptiles. Adults do not rely on fish as much as younger kin, since their rigid tails prevent more effective hunting in the open water. At this stage, hunting within the forests becomes more common. Larger mammals, such as porcupines and pacas become the staple food of .
As terrestrial hunters, these dwarf caimans must cover a wide range in search of food. Because of this, the head is often raised high, while the neck is positioned more vertically, allowing them to track prey more efficiently (Ross, 1989; Alderton, 1991; Britton, 2001).
This species avoids predation with its behavior (hunting at night, hiding in streams, guarding its young). Its bony hide also protects it from attack.
Jaguars eat juveniles, and possibly adults, while coatis and large lizards eat their eggs.
This species is a mid-level predator, eating other smaller animals, but in turn being eaten by other larger species. In fast flowing streams it may be the dominant predator.
Unlike some other crocodilians, the skin ofis too bony to be used for leather, so this species has little commercial value. It is sometimes hunted locally for food, or for the tourist trade (Britton, 2001).
Because of its small size and retiring habits, this species is not considered particularly dangerous to people.
Because of its heavily ossified skin, hunters have largely ignored. The main threat, however, comes from the pollution of the environment as well as destruction of habitat due to gold mining activities. International trade in the species is limited, it is listed on Appendix II of CITES (Britton, 2001; WGBH Educational Foundation, 2000).
Rene Villareal (author), Fresno City College, Carl Johansson (editor), Fresno City College.
living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
an animal that mainly eats meat
animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature
parental care is carried out by females
union of egg and spermatozoan
A substance that provides both nutrients and energy to a living thing.
forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.
An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.
fertilization takes place within the female's body
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
active during the night
reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.
the business of buying and selling animals for people to keep in their homes as pets.
an animal that mainly eats fish
rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.
Referring to something living or located adjacent to a waterbody (usually, but not always, a river or stream).
breeding is confined to a particular season
remains in the same area
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
Living on the ground.
defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
Alderton, D. 1991. Crocodiles and Alligators of the World. New York: Facts on File Publications.
Britton, A. 2001. "Crocodilian Species List- Paleosuchus trigonatus (Schneider, 1801)" (On-line). Accessed October 8, 2001 at http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/brittoncrocs/csp_ptri.htm.
Cogger, D., D. Zweifel. 1992. Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Smithmark Publishers.
Magnusson, W. 1989. Termite Mounds as Nest Sites. Pp. 122 in C Ross, ed. Crocodiles and Alligators. New York: Facts on File Publications.
Ross, C. 1989. Crocodiles and Alligators. New York: Facts on File Publications.
WGBH Educational Foundation, 2000. "NOVA Online | Crocodiles | Who's Who of Crocodilians" (On-line). Accessed October 21, 2001 at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/crocs/whos/nojs.html.