The Zoo has 1 male dwarf caiman and 3 of undetermined sex.
The male hatched in 1988 at Albuquerque Biological Park and arrived at the Philadelphia Zoo on June 25, 2002.
The other three dwarf caimans are believed wild caught, with estimated hatch in 2003. These arrived on September 7, 2006 as a donation from US Fish & Wildlife Service, after they had been confiscated.
Viewing Hints
Three juvenile dwarf caiman reside with a Central American river turtle in the Aquatic Wing of the Reptile and Amphibian House.
This species is the smallest New World crocodilian. Scales covering the entire body are heavily ossified. They have a very smooth and concave head shape that is unique to this species. Head is a chocolate brown and flecked with white bands. Body coloration is dark brown or black.
Longevity
Life span: 22 yrs in captivity
Behavior
Highly terrestrial and more active after dark, the dwarf caiman can be found during the day in burrows and will actively hunt at night. This species is also solitary and territorial.
Reproduction
The female caiman builds a nest of mud, twigs, grasses, and leaves and deposits on average about 12 eggs which hatch is approximately 90 days.
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