The
yacare caiman (
Caiman yacare) is a species of
caiman found in central South America. About ten million individuals, such as this one, exist within the Brazilian
pantanal, representing what may be the largest single crocodilian population on Earth. This small-to-medium sized species feeds mainly on fish (especially
piranha), but also eats birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
Photograph: Charles J. Sharp