Caiman latirostris
Broad-snouted caiman

Broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris) are found in northeastern South America. Their geographic range extends from northeast Argentina to southeastern Bolivia and Paraguay to the northern portion of Uruguay. This species thrives in swampy slow-moving freshwater and warmer climates. (Britton, 2010; Verdade, 2008)

Broad-snouted caiman habitat overlaps with that of Yacare caimans (Caiman yacare). In places where overlap occurs, C. latirostris has adapted to life in mangroves with heavy vegetation, swamps and they have been increasingly found in cattle stock ponds. They are also often found in drainage ditches from the Atlantic ocean. Both species are found at elevations of approximately 600 m. This seems to be due to their darker coloration, which allows each species to absorb more sunlight and to regulate their body temperatures at higher, cooler elevations. (Britton, 2010; Pina, 2002; Verdade, 2008)

Broad-snouted caimans are medium-sized crocodilians with a reported maximum length of 3.5 m. Average length is 2 m in captivity. Compared to related species like black caimans (Melanosuchus niger), which can exceed 5m in length, broad-snouted caimans are considered small. Their coloration ranges from black and brown to an olive-greenish hue. They have a tubercle, a small projection of the scales, between the eyes. Broad-snouted caimans have soft hides that are one of the most highly coveted of all crocodile skins. It is a subject of debate wether or not true subspecies exists. Some say Argentinian populations of C. latirostris that are small (less than 2m) should be classified as C. latirostris chacoensis. (Britton, 2010; Pina, 2002; Verdade, 2008)

Embryos of C. latirostris hatch after 70 days. Embryos have a notochord by day 2, blood vessels are present by day 5, and limbs are starting to form around day 18. From day 60 on, not much new development occurs, the yolk sac becomes nourishhment for the embryo and the yolk scar begins to form. Sex is determined by temperature. There is a specific period during incubation where the egg can become either sex with the application or reduction of heat. After this temperature sensitive period the sex can no longer be changed. All C. latirostris eggs incubated at temperatures of 29 to 31 degrees become females, while hatchlings incubated at 33 degrees are all males. (Iungman, et al., 2008; Pina and Larriera, 2003)

Mating behavior in broad-snouted caimans is not well described in the literature. (Pina and Larriera, 2003; Verdade, 2008)

Each clutch contains between 20 and 50 eggs. Nest predation decreases clutch size and sometimes larger broad-snouted caimans will eat hatchlings and eggs. The gestation period is about 70 days. The gestational period has been broken down in 28 phases or steps of development that monitor size and the specialization of tissues. It is thought that the first rains may stimulate ovulation in female broad-snouted caimans. Other crocodilians of similar size to C. latirostris have hatchlings that measure an average of 30 g at birth. (Larriera, et al., 2006; Verdade, 2008)

The age of sexual reproduction is not yet known, though females as young a 4 years, 10 months have laid eggs. The hatchlings emerge as small versions of mature broad-snouted caimans. (Pina and Larriera, 2003)

Though broad-snouted caiman mothers invest in their young through supplying eggs with nutrition and building and protecting nests, it is unknown how long that investment lasts or when independence is achieved. A female C. latirostris is very protective of her nest and will guard it with some help from the father (only seen in captive populations). Hatchlings communicate with their mother through hatching calls a few days prior to hatching. Similar to other reptiles, they have an egg tooth on the top of the snout, with which they chip at the egg. Mothers may gently take the egg in her jaws and apply slight pressure in order to help crack the egg. There may be some protection of young after hatching, as in other crocodilians. (Amavet, et al., 2009)

Broad-snouted caimans have been reported to live 22 years (maximum lifespan) in captivity. (Snider and Bowler, 1992)

Broad-snouted caimans are prized for their ultra-soft hides and have been sought after by hunters for the last 100 years. As a result, a large portion of broad-snouted caimans today live in captive ranching programs in South America. Much less is known about broad-snouted caimans in the wild. A recent observation of this species in the wild, however, described its exhibition of passive feeding behavior. One caiman sat, mouth open, under a small flow of water. Every few minutes, prey would land in its mouth and it would close and swallow. More research will be conducted, as this was only observed in one individual.

It has been suggested that there may be differences in behavior between captive and wild populations. For example, in captive populations, C. latirostris males sometimes aid females with nest-building. This behavior has never been documented in wild populations. (Pina, et al., 2003; Verdade, 2008)

These crocodilians are thought to have a established home ranges, as they are highly territorial when approached. However, territory size has not yet been documented.

Specific information on broad-snouted caimans is not available. Crocodilian communication has received relatively little study. However, among several species, different calls have been identified. It is known that crocodilians communicate acoustically and that most noises are short, monosyllabic, and very repetitive. They become less vocal as they mature.

There are two variations of calls, those of juveniles and those of adults. Juveniles emit hatching calls, which include the noises that can be heard pre-hatching. These calls function to maintain synchrony among hatchlings. One hatched they emit contact calls which aid in location and keeping them close together. Hatchlings also displays distress calls that may induce parental protection.

Among the adult population, communication dwindles with maturity, though audible communication is a large part of courtship rituals. Mates will bellow during courship, usually when the crocodile is in the water. Maternal growls are the way in which mothers communicate with their hatchlings while still in the egg and is thought to facilitate offspring recognition. Hisses may be used when the mother in defending her nest against predators, and may actually deter predators. (Britton, 2010; Kelly, 2006; Larriera, et al., 2004; Larriera, et al., 2006; Pina, et al., 2007a; Pina, et al., 2007b; Pina, 2002; Pina, et al., 2003)

Broad-snouted caimans have a diverse diet consisting of aquatic snails, small fish, and amphibians. As they mature, they are able to eat larger prey, such as larger fish, reptiles, and amphibians. The broad snout of these caimans are well-suited for crushing mollusc shells. (Britton, 2010; Verdade, 2008)

The only predator of mature broad-snouted caimans appears to be humans. Broad-snouted caimans are in high demand because of their skin, which is one of the softest available. They were poached nearly to extinction in the early's 1990's but have made a significant recovery due to ranching programs, like Proyecto Yacare in Argentina. Ranching programs harvest eggs and raise hatchlings to be reintroduced into the wild. Eggs and young broad-snouted caimans may be eaten by a wide variety of medium to large sized predators. Broad-snouted caimans are cryptically colored to prevent predators and prey from seeing them. (Britton, 2010; Pina and Larriera, 2003; Pina, et al., 2003)

Little is known about the roles these crocodilians play in their ecosystem. They are likely to be important predators of small animals in their aquatic habitats. (Simoncini, et al., 2009; Simoncini, et al., 2009)

Broad-snouted caimans are prized for their ultra-soft hides. Hunting in the 1990's led to severe population declines. This species was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1994. They are now making a recovery due to ranching programs. (Britton, 2010; Larriera, et al., 2006; Verdade, 2008)

In areas where their habitat overlaps with C. yacare, C. latirostris has colonized cattle stock ponds. Here they are considered a potential nuisance for farmers and their livestock. (Iungman, et al., 2008)

Commercial hunting has threatened wild populations of C. latirostris. Most hunting occurs for its skin, especially well-suited to tanning. Their skin is considered more valuable that that of other species of caiman. Caiman latirostris was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1994, as populations declined with over-hunting. This species continues to be listed in CITES Appendix I (threatened with extinction) throughout its natural range, except in Argentina, where populations have begun to rebound in response to ranching programs like Proyecto Yacare. As a result of ranching programs, Argentinian populations have been elevated to Appendix II status (no longer threatened with extinction, but a species for which trade needs to be controlled). Some illegal hunting of C. latirostris still occurs, but is considered less of a threat than in the past, because other species are more readily available for hunting. The size of wild C. latirostris populations is estimated at approximately 250,000 to 500,000 individuals. Currently, habitat destruction and water pollution are the greatest threat to C. latirostris populations, most notably deforestation for agriculture (land clearing and draining) and hydroelectric power throughout its range in Brazil and Uruguay. (Britton, 2010; Pina and Larriera, 2003)