Adult Size: Average size is larger than the American Alligator. Males can reach 14 feet (4.2 meters) in length, but some unverified accounts have been reported at nearly 20 feet (6 meters).

Headshape: The triangular shape above the eyes, as seen in the true Caiman, is not present in the Black Caiman, but it does have the largest eye socket of any of the crocodilians, making their large eyes distinctive. This is a large, heavy-bodied crocodilian with substantial bony ridges on the snout. There may be some blotches on the upper and lower jaws.

Appearance: Dark in coloration with white or creamy yellow on the their bellies. Behind the head, the neck is tan or copper in coloration. Another good identifier is the seemingly misplaced scales we refer to as “inclusions” seen in the tail rows. These are partial rows of smaller scales interrupting normal rows of scales around the tail.

Nuchal Clusters: 4-5 rows of 2-4 scales

Flanks: Uniform rows of round or oval keeled scales, alternating with rows of poorly keeled scales.

Other Notes: It should be noted that this is the only species of crocodilian that has a prominent vertebral column in mature animals. In any other species, this would be evidence of a malnourished animal.

STATUS: Conservation Dependent

*Compare with Caiman latirostris and Alligator mississippiensis.

1) The neck is tan or yellow (not so in Alligator mississippiensis).

2) There is a deep depression in front of each eye.

3) There are four ridges that extend from the outer edges of the snout from just before the eyes.