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| American Alligator v Black Caiman | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 26 2012, 05:23 PM (16,886 Views) | |
| Taipan | Jun 26 2012, 05:23 PM Post #1 |
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Administrator
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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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| Ceratodromeus | Jun 20 2017, 07:36 AM Post #31 |
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Aspiring herpetologist
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"durable" in what regard?
no.
Where american alligators have been documented interacting with all of the above animals you have mentioned, the black caiman -- save the green anaconda -- has not. Just because they are vaguely in the same area does not mean that they interact with one another. Jaguars have been known to predate smaller black caiman, but there is no recorded interaction between it and the "larger individuals" you mention. They certainly dont have a whole lot more predators in their environment as the american alligator -- predation pressure being similar between the respective species so this statement of yours is incredibly unfounded. The same thing is applicable to your remark on "unforgiving environments". |
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| HerpestidaeB4Cat | Apr 12 2018, 06:13 AM Post #32 |
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Herbivore
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wouldnt the alligator have more flexible jaws ? |
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| Trish | Apr 12 2018, 11:56 PM Post #33 |
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Autotrophic Organism
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American Alligator VS. Black Caiman- Close battle, with a slight edge to the Black Caiman. Only because its bigger. |
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| Sparx | Apr 14 2018, 03:14 AM Post #34 |
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Autotrophic Organism
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Wow... I thought the aligator was bigger on average and max sizes.. If it has the size advatages then I give it to caiman. But at parity, alligator....... |
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| Black Ice | Apr 14 2018, 04:09 AM Post #35 |
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Drom King
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The BC should win all things considered. Tbh. |
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