Trinidad's two types of Caiman

Spectacled caiman (with eye shine) from the Caroni Swamp. Photo by Renoir Auguste

Trinidad and Tobago has two species of caimans. The spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus). and the Cuvier's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus). The following are some traits about each type of caiman and how to tell them apart.

Spectacled caiman

• Typically grows to up to 2.3 m long. 
• Males are larger than females. 
• This species is widely distributed across the region, from Central America, to South America, and Trinidad and Tobago. 
• They typically reside in brackish and freshwater environments and can be easily seen at night in swamps with their eye shine. 
• Juveniles feed on aquatic invertebrates whereas adults feed on vertebrates such as fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals. 
• Juveniles do have a distress call and parental care is noted in crocodilians.
• One of the key distinguishing features to tell the spectacled caiman apart from other caiman in the country is the bony ridge on the head behind the eyes.

Dwarf caiman

• Typically grows to about 1.5 m long.
• Males are slightly larger than females.
• Distribution range is South American.
• Habitat preference is for fast flowing streams in forests in cooler areas, compared to more open areas used by spectacled caimans.
• Juveniles feed on insects, fish, frogs, whereas adults also feed on these but would include mammals to their diet.
• Dwarf caimans are social and dominant individuals would have access to mates, food, nest sites.
• Upper and lower jaw has dark and light spots. Also, the lack of a bony ridge anterior to the eyes distinguishes it from the spectacled caiman.

Dwarf caiman. Source: Wikipedia.

Source of information:

• A field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago. Published by the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club. 
• Ali SH, Rampersad-Ali N, Murphy JC. 2016. The discovery of Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman, Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Reptilia: Alligatoridae) in Trinidad. Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club. 2016 Nov 30.

The Bushmaster/Mapepire Zanana (Lachesis Muta), A Unique and Highly Specialized Pit-Viper Living In Trinidad’s Forests

Lachesis muta (Mapepire Zanana or Bushmaster) in-situation and in habitat  

(Photo by Rainer Deo)

           Strewn across the globe are highly venomous snakes that stand out to herpetologists and civilians alike. Some of these include the King Cobra from Asia (the largest venomous snake in the world), the Black Mamba from Africa (considered the fastest snake in the world), the Inland Taipan from Australia (the most venomous terrestrial snake in the world) and the Atlantic Bushmaster, locally known as Mapepire Zanana, from South America (the largest pit-viper in the world). Only two viper species can be found in Trinidad and it should be said with pride, that the Bushmaster is one of them.

What makes the Bushmaster such a unique and highly specialized snake?

1.        Oviparous (Egg-laying): When compared to close relatives, such as the Mapepire balsain (Bothrops cf), Bushmasters stand out as being the only documented genus of new world pit-vipers to lay eggs, as opposed to retaining eggs and giving “live birth” (ovoviviparity). The mother lays her eggs in the burrows created by agouti, lappe and armadillos or in holes under the buttress roots of trees such as the Mora (Mora excelsa). She coils around them to provide insulation, since their habitat is usually very cool and courageously guards them until they hatch.

2.        Big snake, small prey: It is typically believed that the larger a snake grows, the larger the prey it would hunt and be able to consume. This however, is not applicable to a number of groups, including the Bushmasters. They are known to feed primarily on small forest mammals with the Trinidad spiny-rat being one of their favourite local preys. Inexperienced keepers would be left baffled when a large Bushmaster (8-10 ft long) would bite and kill a rat but refused to eat it because it was simply too big.

3.        Intolerant of hot environments: It might be assumed that it is typically always warm and sunny in the tropics. However, Bushmasters are found most frequently in the hilly and mountainous areas of Trinidad where the environment gets very moist and cool. Deep within some of Trinidad’s forests, nights and early mornings may have temperatures that drop to as low as 19 degrees Celsius. These wet and cold conditions are essential for the survival of the Bushmaster which can accommodate multiple small prey in its lengthy body. If the environment and the snake become too warm, bacteria found within its prey would begin to multiply rapidly, resulting in the poisoning and almost certain death of the snake.

4.        Fossorial (Burrowers): Bushmasters are semi-fossorial which means they spend a significant amount of time underground in holes and burrows. In Trinidad, the Bushmaster is referred to as Mapepire Zanana, a name with French Creole and Carib origins. It translates to “Pineapple snake”, an appropriate comparison considering how bumpy and serrated some of the scales are. The roughness of the skin is an evolutionary feature which aids the snake in excavating its burrows. 

Closer look at scales on the Bushmaster. Photo by Rainer Deo

To learn more about the Bushmaster or other snakes in Trinidad, feel free to contact the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’Club (TTFNC) Herpetology Group, and get yourself a copy of the field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago – published by the TTFNC!

This post was written by Rainer Deo – TTFNC Herpetology Group member.

T&T Lizard, Frog, Snake, Turtle, Caiman Identification and Awareness

Beebe toad in hand. Photo by R. Auguste

Chances are you have come across a lizard, snake, turtle, caiman, &/or frog at some point in time while living here in Trinidad and Tobago. However, you either have been told what the local name is, or sometimes you do not know. But you are curious. You want to know.

However for most people, they dislike frogs and reptiles, and rather not know. Yet, there are some that do and it is always beneficial to know about them, even if you dislike them. Perhaps you know someone who is, or your child is fascinated with frogs and reptiles despite your feelings towards them. However, for most, (maybe you) you have already convinced yourself that you will never change your mind about liking snakes, lizards, and/or frogs. OK - but maybe your child does like them. Your child wants to learn more about them. It helps them be more creative with their school work giving a local real example. It also helps build national pride in our native fauna.

If that is the case, you can reach out to us (Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club) anytime for information on local frogs and reptiles. Whether it is simply asking for an identification, or perhaps you want to know some quick facts about them - what does it eat? is it poisonous/venomous?  how beneficial is it to me, society, economy and the environment? You'd be surprised that frogs and reptiles offer economic and social benefits to people! We also carry out field trips annually to locations across the country to look for reptiles and frogs and photograph them. Beneficial to persons interested in seeing them in their natural habitat and learning how to identify them.

If you are a parent or teacher, then you can get a copy of the field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago. Appropriate for all ages. Young children can enjoy the colourful photographs, whereas older ones and young adults can read up on the scientific information, which also includes folklore details and habitat information.

The more children learn and appreciate animals around us, the better society, economy and the environment will prevail for all.

Harmless mangrove snake (non-venomous) on hand. Photo by R. Auguste