dwarf caiman

Scientific name Paleosuchus palpebrosus
Descriptor Cuvier
Year of description 1807
IUCN category LC
Family Alligatoridae
Genus Paleosuchus
Paleosuchus palpebrosus Paleosuchus palpebrosus

Introduction

Paleosuchus palpebrosus, commonly known as dwarf caiman, is a fresh water reptile from the Amérique du Sud.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Female size
    120 - 140 cm
  • Male size
    170 - 200 cm
  • Weight
    7 - 10 kg
  • Longevity
    25 year
  • Female size
    120 - 140 cm
  • Male size
    170 - 200 cm
  • Weight
    7 - 10 kg
  • Longevity
    25 year

How to recognize the dwarf caiman ?

The dwarf caiman measures between 170 and 200 cm. This reptile is unicolore with a predominantly vert and marron body.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • Sociability
    living as a couple or alone
  • Way of living
    nocturnal
  • Venomous
    No
  • Diet
    predator

The dwarf caiman is a reptile living as a couple or alone. This species is carnivorous . This reptile lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.

Although the dwarf caiman is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui enfouit ses œufs
  • Clutch size
    10 - 25 eggs

The dwarf caiman is a reptile ovipare qui enfouit ses œufs. This reptile protects its eggs from nearby predators.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    23 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    7.8 - 8.8
  • gh (hardness)
    15 - 25
  • Flow
    All type

Biotope presentation

The dwarf caiman is most often found at a depth between 0m and 3m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

The dwarf caiman prefers well oxygenated waters in current areas and rapids. It frequents fast flowing waters where the bottom is strewn with pebbles, wood or leaves carried by the current. It can be found not far from waterfalls and in mossy areas nearby.

This animal evolves in areas characterized by a strong presence of vegetation (aquatic and marsh plants, decaying organic matter, roots...).

Species of the same biotope

To go further

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Marc Raggi

Marc Raggi

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Nans Gourgousse

Nans Gourgousse

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Where to see this species?

Species of the same biotope

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