Credits for the cover photo go to Allan Hopkins. This is a large wild Black Caiman, photographed on the banks of the Essequibo River in Guyana. More of Allan’s photos are visible here. 

Rio Apaporis Caiman (Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis)

Perhaps the least-known of the Caimans, the Rio Apaporis Caiman is endemic to a 125-mile stretch of river in southeastern Colombia. This subspecies was popularized by a 2019 Animal Planet program that documented them for the first time since the 1980’s, when they were believed to have gone extinct... or at least that’s what the host of that show might have you believe. In reality, Dr. Sergio Balaguera-Reina documented these rare animals several months beforehand, and has gone on record stating that political instability in Colombia simply didn’t allow researchers to adequately study this subspecies for several decades. They are perhaps the most unique of the Spectacled Caimans, with brighter pigmentation and a narrower snout, indicating that they may be more piscivorous than other Caimans. I am unaware of any examples of this subspecies in the United States, but please reach out if you have anything to contradict this.

A wild Rio Apaporis Caiman, captured and photographed by Dr. Sergio Balaguera-Reina in late 2018. 

Chiapas Caiman (Caiman crocodilus chiapasius)

One of four currently-recognized subspecies of the Spectacled Caiman, the Chiapas Caiman is the northernmost-distributed, found along the Pacific slope of southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The status of these Caimans are disputed, and some classify them as synonymous with the Brown Caiman - as of 2011, however, this subspecies is recognized as distinct due to differences in their mitochondrial DNA. Little information is available to diagnose this subspecies apart from distribution, but as a general rule of thumb they seem to be slightly more patterned than the nearby Brown Caiman. I am unaware of this subspecies being kept publicly or privately in the United States, but please reach out if you have anything to contradict this.

One of the only captive Chiapas Caimans in the world, kept at ZooMAT in Tuxtla, Chiapas. This facility has been successfully breeding this species since the mid-1960’s. 

Brown Caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus)

Known from the Atlantic southern reaches of Mexico down to the northernmost parts of Colombia, the Brown Caiman is a widely-distributed subspecies named for its dark olive-brown shade when compared to other Spectacled Caimans. This subspecies also appears to have less patterning than some of its more southern representatives, although the appearance is tougher to differentiate when looking at animals of, say, Colombian, Panamanian, and Costa Rican origin as opposed to those from the Yucatan or Belize. There are reportedly a few Brown Caimans on display at St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and at least a few individuals are in private hands - this number could absolutely be much higher, but I’m not aware of many confirmed pure Browns at this point in time. 

A pure Brown Caiman kept by Kyle Asplundh of Primitive Predators. 

Chaco Caiman (Caiman latirostris chacoensis)

Compared to the nominate subspecies of Broad-Snouted Caiman, the animals from the western portions of the distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil are smaller, and reportedly less territorial, more terrestrial, and more diurnal than their eastern counterparts. I am unaware of this subspecies being kept in captivity within the United States, although as mentioned before, Broad-Snouted Caimans are rarely, if ever, given a subspecific status in US herpetoculture, and it’s entirely possible that animals are of Chacoan and/or eastern origin - please reach out to me if you have any further information on this subject.

A wild Chaco Caiman photographed in southern Bolivia by Sandra Acebey. 

Bolivian Caiman (Caiman yacare medemi)

First formally described by a pair of researchers in 1974, this little-studied subspecies is generally designated as the Yacare Caimans found within the Amazon drainages of Bolivia, as opposed to those from the Rio Paraguay drainages that make up the nominate subspecies. Little information on morphological differences between the two is available, and the existence of two subspecies is disputed by some - still, they have generally been accepted since a paper published in 2004. I am unaware of any Bolivian Caimans in the United States, although it is entirely possible that some Yacare Caimans belong to this subspecies, since they are rarely, if ever, labeled past the species status.

A wild Bolivian Caiman, photographed by Kevin Huang in the vicinity of the collection point for the original holotype.

Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)

The holy grail of caimans for most US-based keepers, bar none. This Amazonian species is the largest of the caimans, with mature females coming in around 9’ to 10’, and the largest males reaching or passing 16’ and well over 1,000 pounds - they are also quite attractive, with nearly jet-black pigmentation and a much larger head than most species. Unfortunately, this species is almost nonexistent in US herpetoculture, and isn’t likely to make any new appearances under the current CITES regulations. The only specimens on public display that I am aware of are at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and I don’t know of any privately-owned individuals. Please message me if you are aware of any additional Black Caimans on display within the United States.

A subadult Black Caiman kept at Crocodiles of the World (based in Oxfordshire).