Habitat: Slow-moving rivers; backwaters of rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps

Rain Forest Facts: Nicknamed the “Piranha Croc” this species of Caiman has very pronounced teeth contributing to a menacing look.  The natural range of the Yacare Caiman is smaller than the common Caiman contributing to additional pressure on its numbers.  Loss of habitat is the greatest threat to this species.  Poaching of the animal for its hides still occurs in the majority of the Caiman’s range.

Female Caiman build nests of vegetation during the rainy season.  An average egg clutch will produce 27 eggs, the size and overall health of the female has a direct bearing on the clutch size, clutches of 40 eggs have occurred on rare occasion.   The female Caiman will generally protect her nest, incubation is influenced by both ambient air temperature as well as the construction material used in the nest.  Average incubation time is 80 days.

As with the majority of smaller crocodilians the vast majority of the Caimans diet is fish and invertebrates such as mollusks.  

The future for this species of Caiman is uncertain; the local governments’ inability to enforce protection measures continues to cause the animals’ numbers to decline.  Some farming of this species is occurring but fears on integration with other caiman on the farms could render the stock produced useless for potential reintroduction programs.   Lack of commercially viable skin also negatively effects this species of Caiman.