Smooth-fronted caiman

Schneider's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus), also called smooth-fronted caiman, is a crocodilian from South America. It lives mostly in tropical rainforests, near calm waterways, creeks, and swamps. It can also frequent small streams, sometimes shallow.

Its size is more compact than that of the Grand Caymans. Adults are often around 1.2 to 1.8 m tall. The largest males can exceed 2 m. His body seems “armored.” Its skin has numerous bone plates. Its head is triangular, with a fairly smooth forehead, with no “glasses” between the eyes.

The species is classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN. That's not to say she doesn't have any challenges. Like many forest animals, it depends on natural environments in good condition. The degradation of wetlands and certain local pollution can impact its habitat.

Schneider's caiman is mostly active at dusk and at night. He hunts on the lookout. Its diet is carnivorous. In particular, it consumes fish, crustaceans, amphibians and other small aquatic prey, depending on what its environment offers.

At the Guadeloupe Zoo, you can observe Bamba, our female Schneider dwarf caiman in her pond among Florida tortoises. Its presence makes it possible to discover the diversity of reptiles and species related to wetlands.