Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith, Huguito Cabral, Silvia Centrón and Alberto Esquivel and is used with their permission.
YACARE CAIMAN Caiman yacare
The Caiman or Yacaré to the Guaraní is the South American alligator. There are three species in Paraguay, of which the Spectacled is the most common. The Yacaré plays a prominent role in Guaraní folklore, and in many parts of the country chiperias even make Yacaré-shaped chipa for consumption! Despite the fearsome reputation that crocodilians have, the Spectacled Caiman presents little danger to humans. If you treat him with the respect he deserves he will repay the favour.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPREP40PH) Lateral view of adult, Fuerte Olimpo (Paul Smith September 2005).
FIGURE 2 - (FPREP41PH) Head detail of same specimen (Paul Smith September 2005).
FIGURE 3 - (FPREP42PH) Adult, Buffalo Bill´s, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 4 - (FPREP43PH) Adult head, Buffalo Bill´s, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 5 - (FPREP709PH) Adult, Fortín Patria, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Paul Smith July 2012).
FIGURE 6 - (FPREP44PH) Adult hidden in floating vegetation, Laguna Bombacha, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 7 - (FPREP45PH) Juvenile dorsal, location unknown (Huguito Cabral undated).
FIGURE 8 - (FPREP46PH) Adult carrying hatchlings, Bahía Negra, Departamento Alto Paraná (Sylvia Centrón July 2007).
FIGURE 9 - (FPREP47PH) Footprint, location unknown (Alberto Esquivel undated).
FIGURE 10 - (FPREP48PH) Footprints from Campo Maria private reserve, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Paul Smith July 2006).
VIDEO A - (FPREP49VI) Same individual as (FPREP40PH) and (FPREP41PH) (Paul Smith September 2005).
VIDEO B - (FPREP710VI) Adult, Fortín Patria, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Paul Smith July 2012).
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DORSAL

DORSAL
VENTRAL

VENTRAL
LATERAL

LATERAL
YACARE CAIMAN Caiman yacare
DORSAL (FPREP706PH); VENTRAL (FPREP707PH); LATERAL (FPREP708PH)
Skull photos Paul Smith, PN Rio Negro, Departamento Alto Paraguay.