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Physical Description
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The Black Caiman retains its distinctive skin markings into adulthood.
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They display grey or brown banding on the lower jaw, and display white or yellowish bands on the sides of the body
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It is the largest out of all the caiman species
General Characteristics
Length : Males – 2.8 to 4.26 metres (9.2–14 ft) with older males getting to be 5 m ( 16 ft )
Weight : 400 kg ( 880 lbs )
Range : They are found throughout much of the Amazon Basin; their range includes much of northern and central South America.
Habitat :Â Freshwater rivers, lakes, wetlands, black water swamps, and seasonally flooded areas of the Amazon
Diet : Fish , Piranhas, Catfish. aquatic, terrestrial vertebrates, and Capybaras
Status : Endangered , There were once common throughout its range. Now 99 % of the population has reduced drastically during the 20th century.
Reason for the status : Habitat deforestation and Illegal Hunting
Incubation Period : 2 – 3 months
Lifespan : 13.1 years in captivity /