The Yacare Caiman is found in Central South America, including: Argentina (north), Brazil (south), Bolivia (south) and Paraguay.
The common name ‘Piranha caiman’ is derived from its more visible display of teeth.
The common name ‘Piranha caiman’ is derived from its more visible display of teeth.
Yacare Caiman Scientific Classification |
|
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Crocodilia |
| Family | Alligatoridae |
| Genus | Caiman |
| Species | C. yacare |
| Scientific Name | Caiman yacare |
Yacare Caiman Fun Facts
⧪ The Yacare Caiman is often associated with floating mats of vegetation. The Yacare Caiman has the southernmost distribution of all caimans.
⧪ It inhabits the southernmost range of all caiman species. It lives primarily in aquatic environments such as wetlands, rivers, ponds, lagoons and marshes.
⧪ Known for feeding on piranhas, the yacare caiman also feeds on a range of prey including other fish, invertebrates and snakes.
⧪ Their diet consists mainly of snails and fish, they may occasionally eat snakes. The larger specimens may prey upon mammals like the capybara.