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Built for the Hunt Crocodilians slide silently through the water. Ears, eyes, and nostrils barely break the surface but underwater, the long, muscular tail propels them towards unsuspecting prey. Their powerful jaws snap up meals in a flash. Watch a Video Clip An alligator's eyes are high on its head, enabling it to see above water while most of its body stays submerged. Skin—and Bones
Lacking osteoderms, the belly skin is soft and supple—a quality that people desire in leather goods. Unfortunately, illegal over-harvesting is a continuing threat to most crocodilians. Caiman: Saved by Its Skin Tropical American crocodilians are threatened by illegal
hunting, except for some caimans. Why? Instead of soft
belly skin, these caimans have protective bony armor
underneath, making their hard hide undesirable to people
and commercially worthless. |
Squares link to animal fun facts. |
Bony plates, called
osteoderms, lie under the hardened skin scales of a
crocodilian's head and back. Like armor, this tough
hide protects adults from most predators. 
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about the dwarf caiman
