FAMILY:
ALLIGATORIDAE

A. mississippiensis
A. sinensis
C. crocodilus
C. c. apaporiensis
C. c. fuscus
C. latirostris
C. yacare
M. niger
P. palpebrosus
P. trigonatus

FAMILY:
CROCODYLIDAE

C. acutus
C. intermedius
C. johnstoni
C. mindorensis
C. moreletii
C. niloticus
C. novaeguineae
C. palustris
C. porosus
C. rhombifer
C. siamensis
M. cataphractus
O. tetraspis
T. schlegelii

FAMILY:
GAVIALIDAE

G. gangeticus

DICHOTOMOUS KEY
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A portrait of the head of an adult dwarf caiman, which is the smallest living crocodilian species. Along with the other Paleosuchus species, they are referred to as 'smooth-fronted' caimans because they lack the ossified bony ridges in front of the eyes. Colouration is also quite different, and the reddish hue seen in this photograph no doubt serves suitable camouflage in its natural habitat. Being nocturnal hunters, the eyes are also relatively large.

Photograph © Adam Britton

ALL IMAGES:
[click on image for enlargement]

	Two adult dwarf caimans holding onto a log		Head portrait of adult dwarf caiman		Adult caiman head from behind
	Developing head shape		Head of adult in water		Head of juvenile with water reflection
	Gaping juvenile