Black Caiman | Crocodiles Of The World

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Black Caiman Black Caiman

Scientific Name: Melanosuchus niger Common Names: Black Caiman

Maximum adult length: 5 metres (16.4 feet)

N.B. Exceptionally large specimens can be found in all species of crocodilian.

The black caiman is the largest member of the alligator family, and the largest predator in the Amazon River basin, with adult males averaging around 4 metres (13.1 feet) in length. The species gets its name from its black skin colouration, which provides camouflage during nocturnal hunts, and is thought to help absorb more heat. Once common, it was hunted to near extinction primarily for its commercially valuable hide. It is now making a comeback, listed as Conservation Dependent.

Kingdom ANIMALIA Phylum CHORDATA Class REPTILIA Order CROCODYLIA Family ALLIGATORIDAE Genus MELANOSUCHUS
  • Status
  • Range
  • Habitat
  • Diet
  • Conservation

The black caiman is classified as Lower Risk/conservation dependent on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Red List Category & Criteria: Lower Risk/conservation dependent ver 2.3 Year Published: 2000 Date Assessed: 2000-01-01

Black caiman status

Countries: Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Ecuador; French Guiana; Guyana; Peru

The black caiman is found in the Amazon River basin. This aquatic reptile occurs in shallow, freshwater habitats such as slow-moving rivers, streams and lakes, and ventures into flooded savannah and wetlands.

Little information was available about this species until the 1980s, when research was carried out into both biology and population ecology. There is still much to learn about the black caiman.

Hatchling black caiman mostly eat small fish, frogs and invertebrates such as, crustaceans and insects but as juveniles graduate to eating larger fish, including piranhas, catfish, and perch, which remain a significant food source for adult black caiman.

Fish comprise the major part of an adult black caiman’s diet (especially piranha fish and catfish), but they also tackle birds, turtles, and large mammals. Mature adults have no predators making them one of the apex predators in their habitat. Younger animals are predated by jaguars and anacondas. They are capable of taking large land-dwelling mammals, including capybara, deer, buffalo, and snakes including anacondas and pythons.

Black caiman populations have recovered dramatically from low levels in the 1970s, when they were considered critically endangered. The trade in black caiman leather peaked from the 1950s to 1970s, when the smaller but much more common spectacled caiman became the more commonly hunted species.

In 1990, a captive breeding and reintroduction programme was initiated in Bolivia.

Population recovery today is threatened by continued illegal hunting, and through increased competition with the more numerous spectacled caiman. Habitat destruction through deforestation is also a threat. Local people still trade black caiman skins and meat today at a small scale, but the species has recovered overall from the overhunting of the past.

Est. wild population: 1,000,000 Main conservation threats: Habitat destruction, interspecific competition, pollution and with just some illegal hunting still occurring.

References

IUCN Red List (September, 2014) http://www.iucnredlist.org

At the zoo

Crocodiles of the World is the only place in the UK to see black caimans. We are currently home to two beautiful caimans, both adult females.

These two were originally imported into Europe from Ecuador, and despite being already quite large, they get along well together.

Adopters

  • Jacky Williamson
  • Joe Austin
  • Wilf Slattery
  • Sophia Rix

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