Black caiman

Melanosuchus niger

The black caiman is a large crocodilian of the Amazon basin. Its dark color blends with night water as it hunts prey from fish to large animals.

Key facts

Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is a carnivore animal classified as Reptile · Crocodilia · Alligatoridae.
Primary habitats are freshwater · savanna, with a range across Neotropical.
Activity is nocturnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The black caiman is a large crocodilian of the Amazon basin.
It inhabits Neotropical freshwater and savanna wetlands.
Typical lifespan: 50–80 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It inhabits Neotropical freshwater and savanna wetlands. Large rivers, lakes, flooded forest, and deep wetlands are key habitats.

Length 300-500 cm; weight 200-450 kg. The body is dark with pale crossbands, and the head is large and robust. A powerful tail drives swimming.

Nocturnal and solitary, it waits quietly at the surface. Large adults can range over broad waterways.

A carnivore, it eats fish, turtles, birds, and mammals. Powerful jaws seize prey and pull it into water.

Females build nests, lay eggs, and guard the nest and young. Hatchlings use shallow waters after emergence.

It is listed as Least Concern. Heavy past hunting reduced some populations, but protection has allowed recovery in parts of its range.