The common caiman is indeed common, the most common of all crocodilian species. It is also called the “spectacled caiman” because the ridge between its eyes resembles the bridge of a pair of eyeglasses. Found from Mexico to central South America, it lives in virtually all wetland and riverine habitats in its range. It has also been introduced to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Adults can grow longer than 6 feet in length.

Laying about 30 eggs in July and August in a mound of plant debris, females stay close to the nest to defend it from predators like lizards. Young hatch after about 90 days and stay in groups close to the female. If other females die or are not feeling particularly maternal, a single mother sometimes takes maternal duties for several pods of hatchlings. Juveniles eat mostly insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Adults take prey as large as wild pigs. 

The bane of South American wetland species, habitat loss and degradation, has actually benefited the caiman, eliminating species with which it would normally compete and creating artificial reservoirs in which it lives. Hunting, on the other hand, has dropped populations in some locales. Caiman skin is not ideal for tanning; only certain parts of its skin makes leather of suitable quality. However, once other crocodilian populations became depleted in the 1950s, hunters began harvesting caimans. It supplies the majority of hides in America and is often sold as American alligator skin. For all that, most populations remain viable, and the IUCN lists the species as one of Lower Risk.

Nature picture credits (left to right): Photo © Hugo Arnal/TNC (Common Caiman); Photo © Tim Miller/TNC (Spectacled Caiman, South America).