Black Caiman

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Subphylum

Vertebrata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Crocodilia

Family

Alligatoridae

Genus

Melanosuchus

SPECIES

Melanosuchus niger

Life Span

13-80 yrs

TOP SPEED

48 km/h

WEIGHT

95-300 kg

LENGTH

2.8-4.3 m

The Black caiman is the biggest of all species of alligator, some reaching six meters long. This impressive aquatic predator is the largest animal in the Amazon Basin. Superficially it looks like the American alligator, and its protective armored skin, as its name suggests, is dark in color. This skin color helps to camouflage it during its nocturnal hunts, and may also help to absorb heat. The lower jaw has bands of grey (brown in older animals) with white or pale yellow bands across their flanks. The banding fades gradually as the animal gets older.

Nocturnal

Carnivore

Aquatic

Apex predator

Precocial

Sedentary

Polygyny

Distribution

These aquatic reptiles inhabit much of the area of the Amazon Basin, including much of both northern and central South America (Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Ecuador; French Guiana; Guyana; Peru). They occur in shallow, freshwater bodies of water like slow-moving streams, rivers, and lakes, and sometimes flooded savannah and wetlands.

Geography

Continents

South America

Countries

Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru

Biome

Tropical moist forests

Rivers

Lakes

Climate zones

Tropical

Habits and Lifestyle

From May until July there is a period of flooding throughout the Amazon, and at this time Black caiman are dispersed throughout their range. From September through December is the dry season, when water levels recede, savannahs which were flooded dry up, and these alligators are more densely gathered in the permanent rivers and lakes. They usually hunt during the night, using their sensitive sight and hearing to catch birds, fish, turtles, capybaras and some larger mammals. They have teeth that are made to grasp their food, but not chew or kill it, so they normally drown their catch, and, if it is of a small enough size, swallow it whole. They leave larger prey to rot, and, when decayed enough, they eat it. Black caimans make noises like rumbling thunder for communication with their own species. Like most crocodilians, they look after their young.

Group name

bask, congregation, float, nest

Lifestyle

Aquatic, Apex predator, Precocial, Sedentary

Diet and Nutrition

Black caimans are carnivores. Fish are the major part of this animal’s diet, especially catfish and the dangerous piranha, but adults also go after much larger prey like capybara, turtles, deer, cats and dogs. Juveniles eat smaller foods, including crustaceans, snails and other invertebrates, and fish.

Diet Carnivore

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR

Polygyny

REPRODUCTION SEASON

during the dry season (September-December)

INCUBATION PERIOD

42-90 days

FEMALE NAME

cow

MALE NAME

bull

BABY NAME

hatchling

BABY CARRYING

65 eggs

Little is known about the mating system of Black caiman. Generally, crocodilians exhibit polygynous behavior, when males mate with more than one female during the breeding season. It is thought that female Black caimans nest from September to December, during the dry season, when water levels drop and fish have only shallow pools to swim in, providing an easy and abundant meal. These animals use plant material to build a nest mound measuring around 1.5 meters across, where a large clutch of as many as 65 eggs are laid. Females remain close to their nests, waiting 42 to 90 days for the eggs to begin to hatch, and they open the nest to help with the hatching process. Often many females next close together, so large numbers of hatchlings emerge at the same time at the start of the wet season, thus gaining safety in numbers. A mother will try to care for her young for a few months but they are largely independent. Most do not make it to adulthood. A female Black caiman breeds only once in 2 to 3 years.

POPULATION STATUS

Least concern (LC)

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Population

Population threats

For many years, this species was hunted heavily for its tough skin, to make shiny, black leather. Over the last century, this extreme hunting pressure reduced the overall population by 99 per cent, and it is now almost extinct in some places, such as Colombia, as well as the Amazon River itself. Populations continue to be impacted by illegal hunting, as well as habitat destruction through deforestation swamplands being burnt. Competition with the more common spectacled caiman may also threaten Black caiman populations.

Population number

According to the Animal Corner resource, the total population size of the Black caiman is around 25,000-50,000 individuals. According to the Crocodilian resource, the total population size of this species is up to 1,000,000 individuals. Overall, currently Black caimans are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

Ecological niche

Being the largest predator in the Amazon ecosystem, the Black caiman may play the role of a keystone species and help to maintain the structure of its ecosystem. Important activities may include nutrient cycling and the selective predation of certain fish species.

Fun Facts for Kids

Caimans make use of their flattened tails for both swimming and to protect against predators.
Caimans have very good hearing and eyesight.
Caimans play an important role in their native habitats, as they keep numbers of their prey under control. Reduction of caimans in the wild meant an increase in the number of piranhas (which attack cattle) and capybaras (which destroy crops).
Caimans like to bask in the sun and on the shore and to cool off by sinking down into cold water.
Black caimans are unique among crocodilians due to much of the juvenile coloration - yellowish stripes and spots - being retained well into adulthood. These relatively vibrant colors have caused considerable threat to this species, their hide being highly prized for the skin trade.
Stories about Black caimans hunting humans heavily are fiction. They will attack people if they approach too closely and the animal feels threatened.

Black Caiman

Photos with Black Caiman

Distribution

Geography

Biome

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition

Mating Habits

Population

Population threats

Population number

Ecological niche

Fun Facts for Kids

References

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About

Black Caiman

Photos with Black Caiman

Distribution

Geography

Biome

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition

Mating Habits

Population

Population threats

Population number

Ecological niche

Fun Facts for Kids

References

Related Animals

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