Dwarf caiman

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Photo copyright Andrew Snyder
Photo copyright Andrew Snyder

This dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus sp) is perfectly camouflaged in a creek in the Iwokrama Rain Forest. One of 4 crocodilian species in Guyana (we have Black Caiman, Spectacled Caiman and two species of Dwarf Caiman) it seems to prefer fast flowing freshwater forest streams and rivers. Growing up to about 1.3 m in length, it preys on fish, crustaceans, amphibians, birds, the dwarf caiman is a keystone species and an indicator of a healthy ecosystem.