Latin name: Caiman crocidilus
The Caiman is a cousin of the Alligator, found in the rainforests of central and South America. They look like alligators, except that:
- They are about 40% smaller (Adults average 6 feet in length)
- Their scales are smoother,
- They are brown, and
- Their snouts are more tapered than an alligator's.
Like most
crocodilians, they eat anything they can kill. Caimans make
bad pets, but
Ugly Americans still sometimes buy young
specimens for just that purpose. They are also
farmed for
luggage and
purse material.
Thanks to http://www.rainforestsearch.com/rrrs/crocs.htm for a PC look at the caiman.