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| American Alligator v Black Caiman | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 26 2012, 05:23 PM (16,888 Views) | |
| Taipan | Jun 26 2012, 05:23 PM Post #1 |
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American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator, is a reptile endemic only to the Southeastern United States. It is one of the two living species of alligator, in the genus Alligator, within the family Alligatoridae. It is larger than the other extant alligator species, the Chinese alligator. The American alligator inhabits wetlands that frequently overlap with human-populated areas. The American alligator has a large, slightly rounded body, with thick limbs, a broad head, and a very powerful tail. Adult Alligators generally have dark gray or nearly black color. They may at times appear to be lighter based on detritus or algae in the water covering their skin. Juvenile alligators have a striped pattern for camouflage that they lose as they mature. Averaging about 9.5 in (24 cm) in length when newly hatched, alligators reach sexual maturity when they measure about 5–7 ft (1.5–2.1 m). Adult male alligators average 11.2 ft (3.4 m) in length, while adult females average 8.2 to 9.8 ft (2.5 to 3.0 m). Average adult body weights are reported from 270 to 800 lb (120 to 360 kg), with a few exceptionally large and old males exceeding 14 ft (4.3 m) and 1,000 pounds (450 kg). One American Alligator reached a length of 19 feet 2 inches (5.84 m) and 2,200 lb (1,000 kg), which made it not only the largest alligator ever recorded, but also among the largest crocodilians on record (although the related Black Caiman and 5 other crocodilians are believed to equal or exceed this size and prehistoric crocodilians such as Sarcosuchus, Deinosuchus, and Purussaurus reached much greater size). The tail, which accounts for half of the alligator's total length, is primarily used for aquatic propulsion. The tail can also be used as a weapon of defense when an alligator feels threatened. Alligators travel very quickly in water and while they are generally slow-moving on land, alligators can lunge short distances very quickly. They have five claws on each front foot and four on each rear foot. American Alligators have the strongest laboratory measured bite of any living animal, measured at up to 9,452 newtons (2,125 lbf) in laboratory conditions. It should be noted that this experiment has not (at the time of the paper published) been replicated in any other crocodilians. ![]() Black Caiman - Melanosuchus niger The black caiman, Melanosuchus niger, is a crocodilian. It is a carnivorous reptile that lives along slow-moving rivers and lakes, in the seasonally flooded savannas of the Amazon basin, and in other freshwater habitats in South America. The black caiman has a bony ridge over brown eyes, and black, scaly skin. The skin coloration helps with camouflage during its nocturnal hunts, but may also help absorb heat (see thermoregulation). Mothers on guard near their nests are tormented by blood-sucking flies that gather around their vulnerable eyes leaving them bloodshot. The black caiman is one of the largest reptiles. It is the largest predator in the Amazon basin and possibly the largest member of the family Alligatoridae. The black caiman is one of the largest extant reptiles. It is the largest predator in the Amazon basin and possibly the largest member of the family Alligatoridae. Most adult black caimans are 2.8 to 4.26 metres (9.2–14 ft) in length, with a few old males growing larger than 5 m (16 ft) and exceeding a weight of 400 kg (880 lb). Sub-adult male specimens of around 2.5–3.35 m (8.2–11.0 ft) will weigh roughly 95–100 kg (210–220 lb) but will quickly increase in bulk and weigh. Mid-sized mature males of 3.5–4 m (11–13 ft) weigh approximately 300 kg (660 lb). The black caiman broadly overlaps in size with the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), although it is on average larger at maturity. In some areas (such as the Araguaia River) this species is consistently reported at 4 to 5 metres (13–16 ft) in length, much larger than the alligator (which rarely even reaches 4 meters), although specimens this size are uncommon. Several unconfirmed (probably largely anecdotal) sources report that the black caiman can grow to over 6 m (20 ft) in length and weigh up to 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). ![]() ________________________________________________________________
Edited by Taipan, Nov 20 2015, 10:48 PM.
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| Godzillasaurus | Jan 7 2013, 07:37 AM Post #16 |
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Reptile King
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I believe the American alligator has a heavier average weight. |
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| Vivyx | Jan 19 2013, 10:06 PM Post #17 |
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Felines, sharks, birds, arthropods
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Nope. Black caiman is larger. |
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| Godzillasaurus | Jan 19 2013, 11:57 PM Post #18 |
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Reptile King
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The Black caiman grows to larger sizes, but I was referring to the average weights. |
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| Fishfreak | Jan 19 2013, 11:58 PM Post #19 |
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Friend of the fish
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On average the black caiman appears slightly larger |
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| Godzillasaurus | Jan 20 2013, 12:08 AM Post #20 |
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Reptile King
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I actually had doubts about the American alligator being larger on average. I remember I heard from some sources that say the black caiman grew to larger average sizes than the alligator, and other sources said the exact opposite. It is highly debatable. |
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| Fishfreak | Jan 20 2013, 12:39 AM Post #21 |
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Friend of the fish
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I see well, which would you support at parity? Edited by Fishfreak, Jan 20 2013, 12:39 AM.
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| Godzillasaurus | Jan 20 2013, 12:43 AM Post #22 |
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Reptile King
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The black caiman. It has better weapons and is possibly a better fighter. |
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| Taipan | Jul 15 2013, 09:03 PM Post #23 |
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Administrator
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Here it is! |
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| Moreno | Oct 26 2014, 11:50 AM Post #24 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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Slight edge to the Black Caiman. Could go either way though, something as little as having a little more stamina or tactics could change the result, |
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| maker | Oct 26 2014, 11:53 AM Post #25 |
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Apex Predator
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| Taipan | Nov 20 2015, 10:50 PM Post #26 |
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Administrator
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Here it is! |
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| Asadas | Nov 21 2015, 06:12 AM Post #27 |
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Herbivore
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..Rosolie with the skull of a full grown black caiman, an endangered species and the Amazon’s largest predator. Photo courtesy of Paul Rosolie..![]() http://news.mongabay.com/2014/03/mother-of-god-meet-the-26-year-old-indiana-jones-of-the-amazon-paul-rosolie/ ![]() http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4600&p=55216 ![]() ..This enormous Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) turned up on a GreenTracks herp trip in the Peruvian Amazon. We couldn’t determine the cause of death when the body was found floating in a river. With some of the tail missing, the caiman body still measured 5.3 meters (17.38 feet). The head was cleaned. Here is the skull. It measures 31 inches in length. It is comforting to know that somewhere out in the Amazon, big Black Caiman still prowl the waterways and haven't all been hunted out. ![]() http://anotheca.com/wordpress/2013/02/23/peru-early-2013/ ![]() ..Peruvian biologist investigating black caiman skull at Rio Amigos Investigation Center CICRA, Rio Amigos http://andrebaertschi.photoshelter.com/image/I0000Omi_HTEIb6A Edited by Asadas, Nov 21 2015, 06:12 AM.
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| BeaverZz | Nov 24 2015, 06:46 AM Post #28 |
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Autotrophic Organism
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I would say the Black Caiman would take this as it is slightly bigger. They are both high up in their respective food chains-the American Alligator in the everglades and the black caiman in the amazon. However, the black caiman being the biggest alligator should give it a slight advantage. |
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| Ceratodromeus | Jun 1 2016, 09:15 AM Post #29 |
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Aspiring herpetologist
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Here is a comparison between a 23.3in black caiman skull replica and a 23in american alligator skull, this is probably more useful than the forced perspective going on in the pictures posted above. black caiman skull is the first photo, alligator skull is the second.![]() ![]() the black caiman is taken from a slightly different angle, but it should be alright for now. Edited by Ceratodromeus, Jun 1 2016, 09:15 AM.
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| Prehistory Lover | Jun 19 2017, 03:56 PM Post #30 |
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Autotrophic Organism
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i gave this to the Black caiman because its got a skull twice as durable as that of even the Nile crocodile. The Black caiman has the second highest recorded weight of any reptile behind the Saltwater crocodile of Australia. The American alligator deals with Cougars, American crocodiles (rarely), American black bears and Burmese pythons but the larger Black caiman deals with Jaguars, Cougars, Spectacled Bears, American crocodiles, Orinoco crocodiles and Green anacondas and has more predators when its young so the Black caiman lives in a more unforgiving environment therefore it is more experienced with combat. |
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