Tag: Reptile

Other names include the Yangtze Alligator, Chinese alligator or historically the Muddy dragon. It grows to between 1.5m and 2.1m, and weighs 36-45kg. In winter in Brumates (a form of hibernation) and is generally nocturnal in summer. It is restricted to 6 regions of the province Anhui, with possible small populations in possibly the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Originally having a far larger range, which stretched as far as Japan, but starting in 5000BC various threats started to reduce their range and numbers – the biggest being habitat destruction. In 1970 only around 1000 remained, and fell to 130 in 2001. However, after 2003 the population started growing again and is currently estimated at around 300. Despite this improvement, it is still listed as critically endangered, and much work is still underway to protect its future. There is strong evidence to suggest that the Chinese alligator is the source of the Chinese dragon idea.

The earliest fossil, which looks like the current animal, was found in Japan and dates from around 3 million years ago.

The Chinese alligator once ranged across most of China. However, today this species is largely restricted to a 433 square kilometre reserve in the Anhui province of the lower Yangtze. At this point, the alligator’s geographic range has been reduced by 90%.

In 1998 it reached its smallest population size with a total population not greater than 150. As of 2018 it was not considered declining, though if it is to recover it must find space in one of the most populous countries. China lists it as class one endangered, while CITES has listed it as appendix one, and the IUCN lists it as critically endangered since 2017. In 1982 the Anhui National Nature Reserve for Chinese Alligator was created, which spanned all its remaining territory. This reserve covers 75 square miles (180 square km).

As of 2016 there are 20,000 in captivity, meaning that while their wild population is pretty precarious, there should be many for reintroduction if something should wipe them out in the wild.

There have been several attempts to create second wild populations for these Alligators with limited success, but these may grow into sensible backups over time.

The smooth fronted caiman is found in the Amazon and Orinoco Basins in South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. It is found in small streams in forests, often in places where it is not deep enough to fully submerge. It rarely moves into the open and does not bask in the sun (even in captivity

Due to its skin having boney scutes (this is abony external plate or scale overlaid with horn). Other animals with this include turtles on their shells, as well as birds on their feet. In Guyana they are taken for the pet trade, but as with various other species, the biggest threat is destruction of their forest home, and pollution of their river homes due to gold extraction further up stream.

IUCN lists it as least concern, while CITES has it on appendix ii which is aimed to control the quantity of the species harvested, to stop a further slide towards extinction. At the current time, the wild population is thought to exceed 1 million.

Also known as Dwarf Caiman or Cuvier’s Smooth-fronted Caiman, its range is shown to the left. Males grow to 1.6m, and females 1.2m, though males in the Pantanal have been seen over 2m.

The population is thought to be over 1 million. They are considered least concern and listed on CITES appendix 2.

Habitat destruction and pollution are the greatest threats – activities such as gold mining, are capable of poisoning the river for significant distances around.

The yacare caiman, which is also commonly know as the jacare caiman, paraguayan caiman, piranha caiman, red caiman and southern spectacled caiman. Generally eating fish snails and occasionally snakes, they have been known to take Capybara. When small they are predated by birds such as storks.

In the 1980s they were destined for extinction, due to overhunting (their hide is more usable than other species. Brazil banned their hunting in 1992, and by 2013 they had largely recovered, with around 10 million in the Pantanal alone.

This ICUN listed this species as least concern in 1996. It has been listed as threatened in the US fish and wildlife services since 2000. As of 2010 CITES lists it as appendix 2 species on CITES (allows some trade – but is meant to come with some controls, which mean that the harvesting remains sustainable, and does not push the species towards extinction). The current estimates are around 200,000 populations size in the wild.

Found in eastern and central South America, including the Southeast of Brazil, northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. It is generally found in still or slow-moving water, located in freshwater marshes, swamps, and mangroves and will readily use man-made cow ponds.

Generally, growing to 2-2.5m, males have been recorded 3.5m in length. In captivity, they have been found to weigh 23-65kg as adults, though large males of 2.6m usually exceed 80kg.

Relying on external temperature to regulate its body temperature. They feed on small invertebrates, and can crush shells to eat turtles and snails. As they grow they increase the number of birds fish amphibians and reptiles that they will eat as well.

Hunting started in the 1940s, as its skin is valued for its smooth texture. Thankfully, hunting has been banned in most countries and numbers are recovering. It is considered endangered.

The population is estimated at 250,000-500,000.

Spectacled caiman are are also known as white caiman, common caiman and even speckled caiman.

The diet of the spectacled caiman includes crabs and snail in the wet season, while it will eat fish in the dry season. Larger members will regularly consume mammals as well. Analysis of stomach content, has shown that more than 50% also regularly consume grass and seeds. 

They can make 9 different sounds to communicate, along with 13 visual displays that have been recorded. Females grow to a length of 1.2m while males grow to 1.4m. It has been introduced into Cuba Puerto Rico and Florida (where it is often mistaken for alligators.

The populations is estimated to be in the millions with Venezuela housing 4 million alone (though numbers are not this high in every country, with Peru only hosting one area that is suitable). Initially not hunted due to bumps in its skin, as the crocodile population declined it has started to be hunted, however, due to the hunters generally targeting large males which largely protects the population. In areas where they have been introduced, the effect is thought to be negative, with the Cuban crocodile population reducing as a result. They have also replaced the black caiman in parts of the Amazon.

It is currently listed as least concern, though 2 subspecies are on the CITES Appendix 2 and one on Appendix 1.