The Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is a large species of Alligator that dwells in the Amazon and Esiquibo basins as well as most other regions of South America, even in the colder water of the Parana River. It is one of the apex predators of South America, typically rivaled only by the Jaguar, Green Anaconda, and Giant River Otter.
Description[]
Growing to 16 feet in length in some cases, and weighing around 1000 pounds, the Black Caiman can be considerably larger than the American Alligator, although their sizes typically overlap. Some reports, which are possibly exaggerated, claim that Black Caiman can grow in excess of 2000 pounds in weight, and up to 20 feet in length.
In River Monsters[]
The Black Caiman is featured in more episodes than any of the other River Monsters, having appeared in 10 of the 60 programs. Most River Monsters episodes set in the jungles of South America feature the Black Caiman. Despite this fact, it has never been the primary suspect of any episode, even though the original case of a child being attacked in the episode "Man-Eating Monster" was found to be perpetrated by a large Black Caiman.
Equal River Monsters[]
Throughout the series, several River Monsters have been credited as occupying an equal trophic level to the Black Caiman. Some people, particularly some of those living in the Esiquibo basin, consider the Piraiba to be more dangerous than the Caiman. Large Caiman have been killed by Electric Eels and Jaguar, as in one circumstance, a 12-foot male Caiman was found to have been killed by a Jaguar. Green Anaconda also prey on this species, although once past 14 feet, Black Caiman are typically considered to have no natural predators.