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
DICHOTOMOUS KEY
[German]
The Yacare caiman is also aptly known as the "Piranha" caiman, the reasons for which seem to be more apparent from this photograph. However, the name is linked to one of the main prey species of the Yacare caiman, name a piranha (Serrasalmus spoilopleura). Declining Yacare populations have led to an overproliferation of piranhas which then reduce local game fishing stocks. The haphazard arrangement of teeth seen is characteristic of captive animals, although it is commonly found only in certain species.
Photograph courtesy of Steve Grenard
