Editing Alligatoridae (section)

== Caimans ==
[[File:Caiman crocodilus Tropicario 2.JPG|thumb|''[[Caiman crocodilus|C. crocodilus]]'' at the [[Helsinki Tropicario Zoo]] aquarium in [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]] in 2010]]
In [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]], the alligator family is represented by six species of the subfamily [[Caimaninae]], which differ from the alligator by the absence of a bony septum between the nostrils, and having ventral armour composed of overlapping bony [[scute]]s, each of which is formed of two parts united by a suture. Besides the three species in ''[[Caiman (genus)|Caiman]]'', the smooth-fronted caimans in genus ''[[Paleosuchus]]'' and the black caiman in ''[[Melanosuchus]]'' are described. Caimans tend to be more agile and crocodile-like in their movements, and have longer, sharper teeth than alligators.<ref name="Guggisberg">{{cite book | author = Guggisberg, C.A.W. | title = Crocodiles: Their Natural History, Folklore, and Conservation| year = 1972 | page = 195 | publisher = David & Charles| isbn = 978-0-7153-5272-4}}</ref>

''C. crocodilus'', the [[spectacled caiman]], has the widest distribution, from southern Mexico to the northern half of Argentina, and grows to a modest size of about {{convert|2.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The largest is the [[red list|near-threatened]] ''Melanosuchus niger'', the ''jacaré-açu'' or large or [[black caiman]] of the [[Amazon River]] basin. Black caimans grow to {{convert|14.5|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}}, with the unverified size of up to {{convert|5.7|m|abbr=on}}. The black caiman and [[American alligator]] are the only members of the alligator family that pose the same danger to humans as the larger species of the [[crocodile]] family.

Although caimans have not been studied in depth, scientists have learned their mating cycles (previously thought to be spontaneous or year-round) are linked to the rainfall cycles and the river levels, which increases chances of survival for their offspring.