The Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) is a species of sauropsid crocodile of the family Alligatoridae endemic to the subtropical and tropical regions of South America that can reach three meters in length. Strongly armored on the back, blackish or very dark olive in color, the delicately marbled skin of the flanks and juvenile specimens made it a favorite of the shoe industry for a long time. Protective measures have allowed its recovery; it is registered in Appendix II of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) list of protected species.

Description

The black caiman normally reaches 2.5 m in adult size, although occasionally larger specimens appear. The snout is elongated and narrow; even with the mouth closed several teeth can be observed.

The coloration is black, that is, like jet or very dark, with well marked spots on the flanks, tail and lower jaw. The belly is yellowish and lacks bony covering; in contrast, the scales of the back have well marked osteoderms.

Juveniles show a pattern of black stripes on a brown or yellowish background, which gradually darkens. Adult coloration occurs before sexual maturity, which is reached at about 10 years of age; the average length at that time is about 120 cm.

The legs are strong and short; the toes of the hind legs are joined by a membrane that facilitates swimming, although the driving force generally comes from the muscular tail, which represents 30% of the body length.

Habits

The diet of the black caiman is exclusively carnivorous; it mainly eats snails and other mollusks and crustaceans, as well as fish, which it stalks motionless with its mouth open to swallow them when they come within its reach. The black yacaré is the main natural predator of the palometas. It is capable of hunting other reptiles and even small mammals in case of need, such as river otters and capybaras, but avoids doing so due to the energy consumption involved; except in case of self-defense or extreme hunger, it is not aggressive towards humans.

Conservation

The black caiman is present in Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina. In Argentina it can be found in the provinces of Chaco, Formosa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Misiones.

Juveniles have a high natural mortality rate; its main predators are birds of prey: the carancho (Caracara plancus), the black crab hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), the jabiru, among others.

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