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Caiman Crocodilus
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Alligators and caimans are reptiles closely related to the crocodiles and forming the family Alligatoridae (sometimes regarded instead as the subfamily Alligatorinae). Together with the Gharial (family Gavialidae) they make up the order Crocodilia.
Alligators differ from crocodiles principally in having wider and shorter heads, with more obtuse snouts; in having the fourth, enlarged tooth of the under jaw received, not into an external notch, but into a pit formed for it within the upper one; in lacking a jagged fringe which appears on the hind legs and feet of the crocodile; and in having the toes of the hind feet webbed not more than half way to the tips. In general, the more dangerous crocodilians to human beings tend to be crocodiles rather than alligators.
Alligator
Alligators proper occur in the fluvial deposits of the age of the Upper Chalk in Europe, where they did not die out until the Pliocene age.
The true alligators are now restricted to two species, A. mississippiensis in the southern states of North America, which grows up to 4 m (12 ft). in length, and the small A. sinensis in the Yangtze River, People's Republic of China. Their name derives from the Spanish el lagarto, "the lizard").
In Central and South America alligators are represented by five species of the genus Caiman, which differs from the alligator by the absence of a bony septum between the nostrils, and the ventral armour is composed of overlapping bony scutes, each of which is formed of two parts united by a suture. Some authorities further divide this genus into three, splitting off the smooth-fronted caimans into a genus Paleosuchus and the Black Caiman into Melanosuchus.
C. crocodilus, the Spectacled Caiman, has the widest distribution, from southern Mexico to the northern half of Argentina, and grows to a modest size of about 7 feet. The largest, attaining an enormous bulk and a length of 20 ft., is the near-extinct Melanosuchus niger, the Jacare-assu, Large, or Black Caiman of the Amazon. The Black Caiman is the only member of the alligator family posing the same danger to humans as the larger species of the crocodile family.
Although the Caiman has not been studied in-depth, it has been discovered that their mating cycles (previously thought to be spontaneous or year-round) are linked to the rainfall cycles and the river levels in order to increase their offspring's chances of survival.
Some crocodiles can be found in salty water, but most alligators stay in fresh water.
www.wikipedia.org |
wallhalla15, marhowie, hummingbird24, Luc has marked this note useful
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Hi Philpe, I like the close composition focusing on the eye, works very well.
Regards
Terry.
Fantastic one Philip, I really like the composition, this is great. Very clear and excellent sharpness. The POV is brilliant. Congratulation for this exciting photo. Thanks for posting. Have a great weekend.
- Merlin
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 372 W: 219 N: 288]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(896) - [2005-11-04 17:47]
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Very primaeval impact! For once, I might have centred the eye, but I'd like to see this shot full sized first. Thanks for another original POV - keep pushing the boundaries.
Regards, Nigel
Hello Stranger ;-)
Creative work Philip, I like it. Very good detail and a most unique POV. Excellent note. Well done my friend. Have a Great Weekend.
Hi Philip,
I like this picture with the shallow DOF. The eye looks amazing. Well composed and good POV.
Very well done, my friend.
Have a Great weekend.
I greet!!
Very pretty picture, you swam with him in river??? I wanted to see what exactly eye has this cayman so I lit up it.
I must try this POV. WOW!
Nice capture.
Arm still a bit sore so I am keeping the comments short.
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- Luc
(14713)
- [2005-12-31 21:36]
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Happy New Year Philip!
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 5 N: 1027]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(3737)
Wow Philipe! You seem to be pretty close to this monster. Nice composition, this was a good choice but seems a little soft on the main focal point. Paul :)