Home
SEE TRIPS
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Flora & Fauna
  3. Reptile

Spectacled Caiman

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)Spanish Name:Caimán

Spectacled Caiman
Spectacled Caiman
Spectacled Caiman
Spectacled Caiman
Spectacled Caiman
Spectacled Caiman
←→
  • Sightings

  • La Selva Biological Station
    Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
    Corcovado National Park
    Tortuguero National Park

    Habitat
    This small crocodilian lives in humid tropic lowlands within rivers, streams, canals, marshes, and swamps. It can also live in water near the ocean. The caiman is more common in areas with high rainfall.

    Range
    This reptilian species can be found from Tehuantepec, Mexico to central Brazil; it has been introduced to southern Florida, Puerto Rico, and Isla de la Juventud off the coast of Cuba.

    Physical Description
    This species is much smaller than the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), and is not a threat to humans. In addition to size, a distinguishing trait is the bony ridge between and in front of the eyes, resembling spectacles, granting its common name. Also, on the American Crocodile the fourth tooth on either side of the lower jaw conspicuously sticks out when the croc closes its mouth. The caiman’s teeth are concealed. The caiman is generally a light tan to yellow or brown color with vaguely dark crossbands on the body and tail. Younger caiman are lighter and have more distinct crossbands. For its whole life the belly is a cream to white color and the eyes are gold.

    Biology and Natural History
    This crocodilian keeps to slow water with a muddy floor. During the day it will swim or bask on soft sandbanks or logs. It hunts at night and is easier to find in the dark with a flashlight. It can also be seen more readily in the dry season when receding water levels restrict more individuals to lower areas.

    A mother caiman will lay 15 to 40 eggs in a nest of plant materials that is close to water. She tends to the nest for the next 73 to 90 days. Within the egg, the sex of the caiman is controlled by incubation temperature, known as temperature-dependent sex determination. Meanwhile, parents stay near the nest to ward off egg predators (particularly raccoons) with growling, hissing, and lashing at the water with tail and head. When the babies are ready to hatch, they may scream from within their eggs, calling the mother to open the nest and help the hatchlings to water. She will care for and protect them over the next four months, guarding them from large waterbirds. Adults are only vulnerable to anacondas, large wild cats, and humans.

    The illegal market for crocodile and caiman skins was active up until the early 1980s. Thousands of caimans were killed for their skin, and babies were sold alive for the pet trade or killed and mounted.

    Diet
    The Spectacled Caiman forages more or less opportunistically, eating all animals that are in its habitat. Juveniles mostly eat insects and crustaceans, but larger adults consume fish, amphibians, birds, and corpses of birds or mammals that they find.

    Height/Weight
    Hatchlings are only 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) from snout to vent and weight 35 to 49 g, but adult caimans are generally 1.25 to 2.5 m (4 to 8 ft) long. Females tend to be somewhat smaller than males. Adult males can weigh as much as 65 kg.

    Taxonomy
    Order: Crocodilia
    Family: Crocodylidae

    Sources
    Savage, Jay M. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between two Continents, between Two Seas. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2002.

    Leenders, Twan. A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica. Zona Tropical, S.A, Miami, FL, 2001.

    Scott, N. J., J. M. Savage, and D. C. Robinson in: Janzen, Daniel H. Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983.

    -Amy Strieter, Wildlife Writer

  • Similar Profiles

  • Leatherback Turtle
    Green Turtle
    Spiny Green Lizard
    Narrow-headed Vine Snake
    Ground Anole
    Fer-de-Lance
    Green Iguana
    Hawksbill Sea Turtle
    Loggerhead Sea Turtle
    American Crocodile
    Boa Constrictor
    Common Basilisk
    Zopilota
    Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
    Black Ctenosaur
    Central American Bushmaster, Reptile - Vertebrate
    House Gecko
    Excellent!
    Trustpilot Rating
    Based on 528 reviews
    Trustpilot
    Best way to travel!
    I trusted Harold from Anywhere.com to plan my family's vacation. Harold went above and beyond in making sure that our tr...
    Oct 04, 2021
    – Shivani P.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Profesionalism at its Best
    My experience with Anywhere.com in Costa Rica was perfection. All of the drivers were punctual and pleasant; and all of ...
    Aug 02, 2021
    – Natasha I.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere is OUTSTANDING!
    My family & I have used Anywhere to organize 3 vacations- Costa Rica, Peru, & now Ecuador. I would not hesitate to use t...
    Jul 29, 2021
    – Kara V.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Awesome vacation, everything went smoothly
    Our agent (Erick) planned a great trip for our family of 5. All the tours were excellent, all the transport and lodging ...
    Mar 17, 2020
    – David
    Trustpilot Rating
    Everything Anywhere said they would do…
    Everything Anywhere said they would do they did. Very professional and friendly staff.
    Mar 16, 2020
    – Darrell
    Trustpilot Rating
    We were very reassured in constructing…
    We were very reassured in constructing our trip using Anywhere.com as the team responded promptly to our questions in a ...
    Mar 16, 2020
    – Michael
    Trustpilot Rating
    Great service!
    Great service!
    Mar 15, 2020
    – Kyle K
    Trustpilot Rating
    If I could give 100+stars, I would.
    If I could give 100+stars, I would.
    Mar 15, 2020
    – Jerry Pos.
    Trustpilot Rating
    I gave Anywhere a 48hr turnaround time…
    I gave Anywhere a 48hr turnaround time before our departure to provide an itineary based on what we already researched a...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Thomas hi.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere.com was so easy to work with
    Anywhere.com was so easy to work with. They made booking my transfers a pleasant experience. And I even had some last ...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Ashley Ba.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Perfectly planned
    Perfectly planned. The trip went off with all (5) transfers on time and all our accommodations meeting or exceeding our...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – John C.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Great service and letting me know all…
    Great service and letting me know all the options.
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Sridhar R.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere.com provided the most AMAZING…
    Anywhere.com provided the most AMAZING trip. Our rides were always there and we didn't have to worry about anything. We ...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – Jennifer
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere made the trip very easy
    Anywhere made the trip very easy. Everything was arranged for us and all we had to do was show up for whatever tour or t...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – CJ Follet.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Two Wonderful Trips!!
    My husband and I have taken two trips with Anywhere. We were thrilled with their services both times. There is such pers...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – FAITH HOF.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Costa Rica Vacations
    • Adventure
    • All-inclusive
    • Beach
    • Budget
    • Eco-tourism
    • Family
    • Group
    • Honeymoon
    • Luxury
    • Nature
    • Private
    • Rainforest
    • Romantic
    Highlights
    • Top Destinations
    • Beaches
    • Rainforests
    • Cloudforest
    • Volcanoes
    • Waterfalls
    • Surfing
    • Leisure
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Airports
    Costa Rica Travel
    • Maps
    • Safety
    • Weather & Climate
    • Sustainability
    • Holiday Season
    • Currency
    • Driving & Car Rental
    • Getting Around
    PLACES TO GO
    • Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs
    • Monteverde Cloudforests
    • Manuel Antonio Beach & Jungle
    • Tamarindo Beach
    • Santa Theresa & Malpais Beaches
    • Puerto Viejo Beach
    • Nosara Beach
    • Jaco Beach
    • Tortuguero Rainforest
    • Corcovado Rainforest
    • Rincon de la Vieja Volcano & Waterfall
    • Nicoya Peninsula
    • Guanacaste Beaches
    • Osa Peninsula
    THINGS TO DO
    • Hot Springs
    • Zip Lines
    • Suspension Bridges
    • Horseback
    • Rappel
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking
    • Chocolate Farms
    • Whitewater Rafting
    • Coffee Farms
    • Butterfly Gardens
    • Surfing
    • Sport Fishing
    • Birdwatching
    • Scuba Diving
    • Catamaran Cruise
    • Indigenous Culture
    • Yoga
    • Wellness
    • Cave Exploration
    Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
    Trustpilot "Excellent"
    Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
    MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

    © 2022 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy