Anatomy: The Black Caiman is up to about 20 feet (6 m) long. It has a bony ridge over the eyes, and black armored skin. It is very similar to the American alligator.

Diet and Teeth: Caimans hunt at night; they eat fish (including piranhas and catfish), birds, turtles, reptiles, and mammals. They have about 75 long, sharp, conical teeth, which are used for catching prey (but they do not tear it apart - they swallow their prey whole).

Reproduction: Females build a huge soil-and-vegetation mound nest (5 feet = 1.5 m across) and lay 50 to 60 eggs in each clutch.