Speckled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)

Speckled Caiman
Caiman crocodilus

The Speckled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) occurs in rivers and lakes from parts of southern Mexico and Belize southward through Central America and into about the northern half of South America. This species is the pet store "alligator" which many people obtain. As an adult, the species reaches about 5 feet in length, considerable smaller than the American Alligator. Despite its smaller size, caiman are very aggressive. The shot here was taken from a boat at night on a small river at Hato El Cedral, Apure, Venezuela, in April, 1992, with a Canon T-90 and a 400mm F/5.6 lens and flash.