Yacare Caiman
Encyclopedia
The Yacare caiman is a species of caiman
found in central South America
, including northeastern Argentina
, Uruguay
eastern Bolivia
, central/south-west Brazil
, and the rivers of Paraguay
. Approximately 10 million individual Yacare Caiman exist within the Brazilian Pantanal
, representing what is quite possibly the largest single crocodilian population on Earth. As a medium-small sized crocodilian, most adult individuals grow to roughly 2 or in length, with the occasional 3 m (9.8 ft) individual (there are reports of occasional 4 m (13.1 ft) individuals within the Pantanal, but this is yet to be verified.) Their smaller size makes them a favorite prey of the jaguar
and Yellow Anaconda. This species diet consists primarily of fish (especially piranha
) and birds, with the occasional capybara
being taken by larger adults. In general, all species of caiman (the exception being the large black caiman
) are incapable of seriously harming or consuming humans.
Caiman (genus)
Caimans are alligatorid crocodylians within the subfamily Caimaninae. Caimans inhabit Central and South America. They are relatively small crocodilians, with most species reaching lengths of only a few meters, although one species, the Black caiman, can exceed in length.-Brain:In Caiman the dura...
found in 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 northeastern 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...
eastern 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...
, central/south-west 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...
, and the rivers of 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...
. Approximately 10 million individual Yacare Caiman exist within the Brazilian Pantanal
Pantanal
The Pantanal is a tropical wetland and one of the world's largest wetland of any kind. Most of it lies within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but it extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay, sprawling over an area estimated at between and...
, representing what is quite possibly the largest single crocodilian population on Earth. As a medium-small sized crocodilian, most adult individuals grow to roughly 2 or in length, with the occasional 3 m (9.8 ft) individual (there are reports of occasional 4 m (13.1 ft) individuals within the Pantanal, but this is yet to be verified.) Their smaller size makes them a favorite prey of the jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
and Yellow Anaconda. This species diet consists primarily of fish (especially piranha
Piranha
A piranha or piraña is a member of family Characidae in order Characiformes, an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers. In Venezuela, they are called caribes...
) and birds, with the occasional capybara
Capybara
The capybara , also known as capivara in Portuguese, and capibara, chigüire in Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador ronsoco in Peru, chigüiro, and carpincho in Spanish, is the largest living rodent in the world. Its closest relatives are agouti, chinchillas, coyphillas, and guinea pigs...
being taken by larger adults. In general, all species of caiman (the exception being the large black caiman
Black Caiman
The black caiman is a crocodilian. It is a carnivorous reptile that lives along slow-moving rivers and lakes, in the seasonally flooded savannas of the Amazon basin, and in other freshwater habitats in South America. Once common, it was hunted to near extinction primarily for its commercially...
) are incapable of seriously harming or consuming humans.