A very cool Northern Caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianensis I think) found basking by our group along the upper part of the Transpantanal Highway, Brazil a few weeks ago.

These water loving lizards are big (up to 4 feet long and approaching 10 pounds) and powerful. And if you wonder where the name Caiman Lizard came from, just look at that armor plating, looking very much like that of a crocodilian.

Caiman Lizards are always found near water, where they will bask on overhead branches or snags, and dive into the deep at a moment’s notice upon sensing a threat.

Their primary food is snails, and if you were to pry open that vise-like mouth, you would see rows of flat, almost human molar-looking teeth which, along with those crushingly powerful jaws, are used to masticate a snail’s shell, before spitting it out and swallowing the softer inside.

We did see a number of these on our tour, but only this one was close enough for pics. If you’d like to join us in the Brazilian Pantanal in July of 2020, send me a message. There are still 2 spots open!