Broad-snouted Caiman
Encyclopedia
The broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) is a crocodilian reptile
(an alligator) found in eastern and central South America
, including southeastern Brazil
, northern Argentina
, Uruguay
, Paraguay
and Bolivia
. It is found mostly in freshwater marshes, swamps, and mangroves. Usually, in still or very slow moving waters. It will often utilize human made cow ponds.
ic, it depends on its external environment to regulate its body temperature. A recent study has been done on the heart rate's contribution to the regulation of the Caimans' body temperature. The results showed an increase in heart rate as the temperature increased, and that it would lower once the temperature lowered. The heat of the sun is absorbed through the skin into the blood, keeping its body temperature up. An increased heart rate helps the newly absorbed heat transfer throughout the body more quickly. When the air becomes cooler there would be no need for the temperature becomes cooler there would be no need for the heart rate to remain at an increased speed.
chromosome
s, but instead depends on temperature to determine the ratio of male and female offspring. The warmer it is the eggs will develop females and the cooler temperatures will develop males. The temperature difference needed for this varies by only one degree, 32 degrees Celsius and above the eggs will become female, 31 degrees Celsius and below they will become male.
, specially in Recreio dos Bandeirantes
.
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
(an alligator) found in eastern and central South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, including southeastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, northern Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
, Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
and Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. It is found mostly in freshwater marshes, swamps, and mangroves. Usually, in still or very slow moving waters. It will often utilize human made cow ponds.
Appearance
In the wild, adults will normally grow to 2 m (6.6 ft) in length, however a few old males have been recorded to reach up to 3.5 m (11.5 ft). Most tend to be of a light olive-green color. A few individuals will have spots on their face. The most notable physical characteristic is its broad snout from which its name is derived. The snout is well adapted to rip through the dense vegetation of the marshes. Due to this they will swallow some of the dense vegetation, while foraging for food.Diet
Its diet consists mainly of small invertebrates, and it can crush shells to feed on turtles and snails. As the size of the Caiman laitrostris increases the size of its prey tends to increase. All broad-snouted caiman will have a diet consisting of mostly insects however, as the caiman grows it will increase its intake of birds, fish, and reptiles.Temperature Control
As all other reptiles, the Broad-snouted caiman is ectothermEctotherm
An ectotherm, from the Greek εκτός "outside" and θερμός "hot", refers to organisms that control body temperature through external means. As a result, organisms are dependent on environmental heat sources and have relatively low metabolic rates. For example, many reptiles regulate their body...
ic, it depends on its external environment to regulate its body temperature. A recent study has been done on the heart rate's contribution to the regulation of the Caimans' body temperature. The results showed an increase in heart rate as the temperature increased, and that it would lower once the temperature lowered. The heat of the sun is absorbed through the skin into the blood, keeping its body temperature up. An increased heart rate helps the newly absorbed heat transfer throughout the body more quickly. When the air becomes cooler there would be no need for the temperature becomes cooler there would be no need for the heart rate to remain at an increased speed.
Reproduction
The Broad-snouted Caiman female will lay 18 to 50 eggs at a time. While rare, up to 129 eggs have been found within a single nest. This is presumably from several leyings. They will lay their eggs in two layers. There is a slight temperature difference between the two layers. This will result in a more even ratio of males and females. This occurs because the Caiman does not have a pair of sexchromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
s, but instead depends on temperature to determine the ratio of male and female offspring. The warmer it is the eggs will develop females and the cooler temperatures will develop males. The temperature difference needed for this varies by only one degree, 32 degrees Celsius and above the eggs will become female, 31 degrees Celsius and below they will become male.
Conservation
Hunting of the species began in the 1940s. It's skin is greatly valued for its smooth texture. Until recently this was the largest threat to the Broad-snouted caiman. However, most countries have made hunting them illegal, which had helped them to regain their population. The new threat is habitat destruction. Deforestation and pollution run-off are the two leading causes to the destruction of their habitat.Curiosity
It is a very well known specime in the urban area of Barra da TijucaBarra da Tijuca
Barra da Tijuca is a famous neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, located southwest of the city on the Atlantic Ocean. Barra, as it is popularly known, will have most of the venues of the 2016 Summer Olympics, which will be the first edition held in South America. Barra is well-known for its...
, specially in Recreio dos Bandeirantes
Recreio dos Bandeirantes
Recreio dos Bandeirantes is both the name of a beach and neighbourhood in Barra da Tijuca region, in the West Side——of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a recent development, with no skyscrapers, and the area also contains jungles atop rocky cliffs and hills...
.