Culvers Dwarf Caiman #3
by Jack R Brock
Title
Culvers Dwarf Caiman #3
Artist
Jack R Brock
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Culvers Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) with head out of the water in the Mesker Park Zoo, Evansville, Indiana.
HABITAT: Most of northern South America in freshwater forested riverine (drainages between and including the Amazon and Orinoco rivers, in addition to those in Paraguay) and flooded forests around larger lakes.
APPEARANCE:
Smallest extant species of crocodilian, males reaching a maximum of 1.5 or 1.6 m, females rarely exceeding 1.2 m. Heavily ossified armour on both dorsal and ventral surfaces - protection which serves to make up for its small size, perhaps, and reduces injury in more fast-flowing riverine habitats, as well as from obstacles and predators during terrestrial forays which are common in the adults.
Uploaded
March 28th, 2012
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