Rio Apaporis caiman information

The Rio Apaporis caiman, Caimancrocodilus apaporiensis, is one of three recognized subspecies of the Spectacled caiman, Caimancrocodilus. It is only known form the upper Rio Apaporis in Colombia.

Rio Apaporis caiman taxonomy

Kingdom:      Animalia
Phylum:         Chordata
Class:            Reptilia
Order:           Crocodilia
Family:          Alligatoridae
Genus:           Caiman
Species:         Caimancrocodilus
Subspecies: Caimancrocodilus apaporiensis

There are three recognized subspecies of Caimancrocodilus:

• Caimancrocodilus crocodilus
• Caimancrocodilus apaporiensis (Rio Apaporis Caiman)
• Caimancrocodilus fuscus (Brown Caiman)

Rio Apaporis caiman conservation status

Caimancrocodilus apaporiensis is listed as Not Assessed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The estimated wild population remains unknown.

This subspecies is kept in captivity, but no successful breeding has been reported. 

Rio Apaporis caiman range

The Rio Apaporis caiman is endemic to Colombia.

It is only known from a 200 km stretch of the upper Rio Apaporis in the south-eastern part of the country. Reports of sightings in other countries exist by they remain unconfirmed. It can be difficult to distinguish C.c. apaporiensis from slender snouted C. c. crocodilus individuals.

Rio Apaporis caiman habitat

The Rio Apaporis caiman is found in riverine and associated habitats along the upper Rio Apaporis.

Rio Apaporis caiman size and appearance

Compared to the other C. crocodilus subspecies, the Rio Apaporis caiman has a much more narrow snout and its skin colour is brighter.  

Rio Apaporis caiman feeding and diet

The diet and feeding habits of this subspecies remains unknown, but it is believed to stick pretty much the same diet as the other C. crocodilus subspecies, i.e. chiefly feeding on fish and aquatic invertebrates. The narrow snout may be an adaptation to hunting fish so the diet of the Rio Apaporis caiman might be even richer in fish than the diet of the other subspecies.  

Rio Apaporis caiman breeding

The reproductive behaviors of the Rio Apaporis caiman have not been researched. It is believed to be a nest builder with breeding habits similar to those exhibited by the other C. crocodilus subspecies.

Rio Apaporis caiman facts

Rio Apaporis caiman facts # 1
The Rio Apaporis caiman is also known as Cachirré, Ocoroché and Babilla.

Rio Apaporis caiman facts # 2
The scientific name of this subspecies (Caimancrocodilus apaporiensis) alludes to the river in which it lives. “Apaporiensis” is derived from the name of the river, Apapori, and “ensis” which is a Latin term for “belonging to”.

Rio Apaporis caiman facts # 3
The Rio Apaporis caiman has 84-86 teeth.

Rio Apaporis caiman facts # 4
 The Rio Apaporis caiman can interbreed with other C. crocodilus subspecies.

Rio Apaporis caiman facts # 5
Distinguishing the hide of a Rio Apaporis caiman from those hailing from other C. crocodilus subspecies can be very tricky.

Rio Apaporis caiman lifespan

The lifespan of the Rio Apaporis caiman is not known to science.