Range: The Spectacled caiman is found in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Surinam, Tobago, Trinidad, and Venezuela. It has been introduced into Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the United States  The Spectacled caiman has the largest geographical distribution of any Crocodilian species

Habitat: Slow-moving rivers; backwaters of rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, highly adaptable the Spectacled Caiman appears to be capable of living virtually anywhere fresh water and proper temperature requirements are met.  The Spectacled Caiman is not as cold tolerant as the American Alligator and will most likely have a difficult time expanding it's introduced range in the United States based on temperature.

Size: 4-7 feet (male Spectacled Caiman have been recorded to 8.5 feet)  Social standing appears to affect the growth rate and possibly the maximum size of the Spectacled Caiman.

Status: Declining (Not listed)-For several reasons, including large geographical range, and remoteness of some regions, the actual current status of the Spectacled Caiman is very difficult to determine.   Estimates put the wild population in excess of 2,000,000 animals.  The Spectacled Caiman may be benefiting from the decline of otherwise healthy populations of such crocodilians as the Black Caiman.

 A decrease in the competition from larger crocodilians for both food and nesting locations may well be benefiting the more adaptable Spectacled Caiman. 

This species of Caiman is exported in huge numbers on an annual basis to support the pet trade worldwide.  The skin trade is much less of a concern as the osteoderms found on this animal prevent the skin from being utilized to the extent of it's relatives. 

A reasonably high rate of reproduction means this animal is capable of rebounding from pressure if given proper protection. 

Rain Forest Facts: The Spectacled Caiman derives it's name from the bony ridge that runs between the eyes, closely resembling a pair of "spectacle glasses" worn by people.

This smaller member of the crocodile family is known for its aggressive behavior.  Even a small female will stand her ground when defending her nest.  The young grow rapidly and mature in about five years, half the time required for larger crocodilian species.  

Spectacled Caiman eating mouse.

Female Spectacled Caiman will deposit up to 35 eggs (normally a smaller number, 22 appears to be the average.  Size of the adult female and her relative health has a great bearing on the clutch size) in an excavated nest.  The Tegu lizard, along with many other predators account for a very heavy loss of eggs in the nest.   Some estimates put the chances of a Spectacled Caiman reaching adulthood at less than 2% with the vast majority of mortality occurring either in the nest or shortly after hatching.

The Spectacled Caiman will estivate in certain parts of it's range when water becomes scarce.

Like the majority of its crocodilian cousins, the caiman is experiencing loss of habitat.   Millions have been killed for the exotic leather trade.  It has been speculated that due to the loss of larger animals such as the Orinoco Crocodile to over collection that the Spectacled Caiman has actually expanded it's range.   The Black Caiman and the Spectacled Caiman seem to co-exist in many of their shared habitats.