Description ²

Spectacled caimans are small to medium-sized crocodilians generally 1.5 to 2.1 meters in length. Average adults are a dull olive to nearly black in color with variable yellow or black crossbands. They have long snouts and their fourth mandibular tooth is not visible from the outside of their closed jaw. Juveniles are yellowish in color with darker bands and spots.

Habitat ³

Spectacled caimans are found in freshwater habitats as well as some salt water habitats. Rivers and wetlands, usually slow moving water, are preferred. They are found in both deep and shallow water, as they only need enough depth to submerge their bodies.

Conservation ⁴

Conservation status: Least concern.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Peter Nijenhuis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/59446027@N00/5257935151
2. Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31381965
3. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31381964
4. Adapted by okaloosascience from a work by (c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/30969037

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HerpMapper
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• The Reptile Database
• VertNet

Range Map

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