Are caimans crocodiles or alligators?

Are caimans crocodiles or alligators?

Caiman, also spelled cayman, any of several species of Central and South American reptiles that are related to alligators and are usually placed with them in the family Alligatoridae. Caimans, like all other members of the order Crocodylia (or Crocodilia), are amphibious carnivores.

Which is bigger caiman or alligator?

Alligators have rounder teeth and are bigger than caimans. Most caimans only grow to four to five feet long. Black caimans can grow up to alligator size, up to twelve feet in the wild. Caimans are not from the United States.

What is the biggest caiman crocodile?

black caiman The black caiman is the largest member of the alligator family, and the largest predator in the Amazon River basin, with adult males averaging 4–5 metres (13.

How long does a caiman alligator live?

Though somewhat undetermined, current estimates place caimans' life expectancy at 30-40 years. It should be noted, however, that larger crocodilians have been documented with lifespans of 70-90 years.

Do black caimans eat humans?

The spectacled and especially the black caiman are associated with most predatory attacks on humans seen in South America. ... Attacks by caimans are not common. There are nu- merous reports of caimans inflicting human injuries, including fatalities, in the Amazon region.

Do Jaguars eat crocodiles?

Big cats – like lions, leopards and tigers – are among the few animals with enough brawn and moxie to take on a full-grown crocodilian. While these predators certainly target the occasional toothy prey, jaguars are likely the most frequent croc killers. ... These burly cats are built for tackling sizeable prey.

Do caimans eat humans?

The spectacled and especially the black caiman are associated with most predatory attacks on humans seen in South America. ... Attacks by caimans are not common. There are nu- merous reports of caimans inflicting human injuries, including fatalities, in the Amazon region.

Why are there no alligators in California?

Alligators are not native to California. ... Alligators prefer fresh water but can sometimes handle brackish water and can be found in rivers, lakes and other small bodies of water.

Is a black caiman a crocodile?

The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is a species of large crocodilian and, along with the American alligator, is one of the largest extant members of the family Alligatoridae and order Crocodilia.

Are caiman more aggressive than alligators?

Caiman are smaller in size than alligators with an average weight of thirteen to 88 pounds. ... Caimans often travel in groups and are known to be more aggressive than alligators. They spend their lives in freshwater or in some cases saltwater environments such as bogs, marshes, lakes, rivers, and ponds.

What do alligators and caimans have in common?

Crocodiles occupy the same class and order, but their family is called “crocodylidae” rather than “alligatoridae.” They come from the same ancestors, but they branch off and do their own thing. To put it simply, alligators and caimans have more in common with each other than with crocodiles.

Is it possible for alligators and crocodiles to mate?

Can Crocodiles and Alligators Mate? Crocodiles and alligators are two different species. This means that they are unable to mate together to produce offspring. This is largely because the DNA counts of each animal are different. One way to tell if two animals can mate is to take a look at their latin names.

Which is bigger a caiman or a crocodile?

There are many other differences in physical features and also behavioral characteristics. A crocodile can grow much longer than a caiman or alligator. There are large crocodiles as long as twenty five feet. Forty feet large crocodiles have also been found in various rain forests across the world. Caiman or an alligator would not grow as large.

Can you have a caiman as a pet?

There is a reason why caimans or alligators are not allowed to be domesticated. They are considered dangerous animals and often confined to the realms of exotic pet dealers and labs. Most states in the United States don’t allow caimans or alligators as pets. There isn’t much difference in the behavior of a caiman and alligator.