Northern Caiman Lizard

Northern Caiman Lizard
Northern caiman lizard resting on branch.
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Teiidae
Genus:	Dracaena
Species:	D. guianensis
Binomial name
Dracaena guianensis Daudin, 1802

The Northern Caiman Lizard is a species of lizard found in northeastern South America.

Appearance

The Caiman Lizard is built simliarly to it's cousin the tegu, with a large heavy set body and short but powerful limbs. Its head is bulky and often a red or orange color. Their jaws are heavily muscular to help aid in eatting its normal prey of snails, crawfish and fresh water clams. It also has a few adaptaions that help it in its watery habitat. It has a long and flattened tail, similar to its name sake, the Caiman. The long tail helps the Caiman Lizard to successfully swim and dive. It also has a clear third eyelid which is thought to act like a pair of goggles underwater.

The body of the caiman lizard is very similar to that of a crocodile. Its typically a bright green with slight dark green banding. There are horned raised scales along the dorsal of the back. This help to provide some protection against predators.

These lizards can become up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 10lbs.

Distribution & Habitat

This species can be found in the countries of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Guyana. It lives in swampy habitats and other wooded areas which are flooded. It is mostly aquatic and is an excellent climber. It spends most of it's time basking on branches overhanging the waterways so that if trouble was to arise it would be a quick drop into the safety of the water.

The number of these lizards wild population is unknown. There has yet to be a study on them in their natural habitat. Much of what we know about them comes from captive animals in zoos and aquariums, as well as in the homes of hobbyists.

This species was heavily hunted for their leather. In 1970 they were provided protection and the export of their hides dropped. Now local populations are safe where their habitat is protected. Captive farms have since been set up to provide animals for the leather trade. In recent years a number of these animals have found themselves in the pet trade.

Habits

In water

The northern caiman lizard spends most of its time in or near water. At night, it hides in trees and bushes. Caiman lizards in the wild will take a variety of prey: snails, fish, crawfish, clams, invertabrate and other freshwater inhabitants all can make up a caiman lizards diet. However they do specialize in snails. It takes the snail in the jaws, raises its head up so that the prey will slide into the back of the mouth, then crushes it with its back teeth. It then spits out the pieces of shell.

In Captivity

The Caiman Lizard has been hard to keep in captivity, even most zoos have given up trying to keep these lizards. Due to their diet of snails most wild caught adults will refuse to eat anything else. Some zoos have had success in keeping and breeding them.

In the last five years, farmed baby caiman lizards from South America have made their way into the pet trade around the world. These hatchlings are more willing to except other food sources. Even so, these are not an easy lizard to keep in captivity. They have strong jaws that can cause a painful bite. The aquatic life style means they need a large pool or tank, but also need a place to dig and burrow and logs on which to bask. Their need for high humidity and hot basking temps also are hard to accommodate. Combine all that with a animal that will grow 4 feet long, its going to need a large enclosure.

That being said, some owners say there is a reward to keeping them. Caiman lizards are intelligent as can be seen in the way they approach a snail that is clinging to the rocks. They can solve problems and generally can recognize their owners.

References

• Dracaena guianensis, Reptile Database