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Caiman


Caiman
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3061 W: 231 N: 5811] (19544)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Costa Rica
Theme(s): Reptiles - Crocs, alligators, caimans, & garials 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-03-04 17:17
Viewed: 2107
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
If you think the focus here is not as sharp as it should be, well, I have an excuse. : P
This shot is being shown to you full-frame. Seconds before my finger pushed on the camera shutter, it was within centimeters of the twig in the foreground. My hand was hanging out of a canoe cruising the waters of Tortuguero NP.

Common Caiman or Spectacled Caiman
Caiman crocodilus

They are widespread throughout Central and South America and appear adept at surviving in a great range of different habitats. They are particularly abundant within some South American countries.

Spectacled Caimans are small crocodilians, seldom exceeding 3 m in length. They prefer lakes, ponds, marshes and the meandering tributaries of rivers where the current is not fast. In areas where other crocodilian species have been removed or reduced in numbers, Caiman crocodilus has established itself.

Populations now exist in some wetlands in Florida, US. During the dry season, Spectacled Caimans can congregate in large numbers in small pools. At such times, large caimans may prey on small ones. At the end of the dry season, in smaller, shallow pools, they can sometimes be found buried in the mud. As with the Australian Freshwater Crocodile, little feeding occurs during the dry season - this is a wet season activity.

Caimans less than 1 m in length, feed on a variety of aquatic invertebrate prey, mainly crustaceans and insects. Adults also take snails and crustaceans, but larger prey such as deer and pigs may also be included in the diet.

Caiman crocodilus reaches maturity in a short time (4 years of age in some areas) and the females lay an average of 30 eggs in a mound nest. Females remain near their nests throughout incubation, but their role in preventing predation on the eggs is unclear - predation rates are greater than 80 per cent in some areas. Large tegu lizards are significant predators on the eggs. Most hatching occurs in November and females remain with their 'pod' of hatchlings for at least the first few weeks of life. However, if water levels recede greatly, females can abandon their young and set about finding deeper water to ensure their own survival.

It is estimated that 1 to 2 million caiman skins a year are being exported from South-America, and most of these are of Caiman crocodilus. Numbers in some countries have been greatly reduced, but if the hunting pressure is relieved, (thanks to the growing farms) they are a species that can bounce back remarkably well.

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extramundi, loot has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Manyee.
You are a bit crazy, I would not like at all to be in your place taking this one :)
I like to see this capture, and enjoy your trip to Tortuguero.
The focus is not as bad, I can see it VERY well.
Best regards, Felipe.

Good enough excuse for me, the shot shows a pretty good proportion of the incredible reptilian scales. I caught one of these while I was in Peru, I caught him at night on the lakes edge, my guide turned around to see why I was laughing, to his surprise he saw the caiman up closer than he'd wish and jumped back a couple of feet calling me 'loco', I really dont think he should of been that shocked it was only a two footer. :)

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5652 W: 595 N: 3349] (8909)
  • [2006-03-13 2:47]

Hi ManYee
Sorry I missed this one. I need to sharpen my surveillance. You must be careful with the crocodile Dundee stuff as it is not easy taking photos with one hand.
Your notes say it is a small crocodilian at 3m. Now maybe compared to the Nile crocodile that is small, but it is at least 2.5m too much for my liking.
Good composition a POV, nice natural colours and good exposure, and good detail showed with only the tip of the nose that lost a little definition.
Very well captured and TFS.
Regards
Loot

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