Broad-snouted Caiman

The Broad-snouted Caiman is found in northeastern South America.

There is marked sexual dimorphism, with females being noticeably smaller. In addition to its colouring, it can be distinguished from similar species by its short, robust snout, which is as wide as its head, and the larger size of the protective plates on its neck.

Each clutch contains between 20 and 50 eggs and the gestation period is about 70 days. The female protects her nest and the hatchlings call out to their mother a few days before hatching.

The main threat faced by the Broad-snouted Caiman is the destruction of its habitat and, to a lesser extent now, hunting for its skin, which was once highly sought after, causing it to have been seriously endangered in the past.

Conservation Status

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated

DID YOU KNOW ...

The sex of the hatchlings is determined by the incubation temperature of the eggs. At temperatures of 29 to 31 degrees, females will hatch, while eggs incubated at 33 degrees will hatch males.