Nature Field Guide
Spectacled Caiman
- Spanish name
- Caimán de anteojos
- Scientific name
- Caiman crocodilus
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico and Tati invite you to learn about the spectacled caiman. Compare verified caiman and American crocodile photographs. Draw the eye ridge without treating it as a field safety test.
Species overview
About the Spectacled Caiman
A crocodilian with a bony ridge between its eyes that suggests a pair of spectacles. It is a different animal from the American crocodile already in the Nature collection.
Identification
Key Features of the Spectacled Caiman
Bony ridge between the eyes.
Armored back and muscular tail.
Broad crocodilian head and body.
Habitat & range
Suitable lowland freshwater wetlands, rivers and ponds in Costa Rica.
Local observations
Recorded in Costa Rica. This profile describes suitable habitat, not a confirmed Tamarindo sighting or a guaranteed viewing location.
When to observe
Learn with a trained guide from a safe viewing location; do not approach banks to search.
Conservation & care
Observe only from a guide-approved viewing location. Stay away from water edges, never swim or wade where crocodilians may occur, and never feed or approach one. Keep children and pets well away from banks.
Observation activity
Compare verified caiman and American crocodile photographs. Draw the eye ridge without treating it as a field safety test.
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Caribbean · Central Pacific · Northern Plains · South Pacific · Limón