The Caiman is a subfamily of Alligatoridae (alligatorids). The alligatorids are divided into alligators and caimans. Caimans and alligators develop slower than the crocodiles. Their lifestyle is also slower. Because of this, they grow older than the other crocodiles. In total, there are 6 species of caimans. All of them live in South America, the Spectacled Caiman can also be found in Central America.
There are three groups:
- True Caiman (Caiman)
- Musky caiman
- Spectacled Caiman (C. Crocodilus)
- Yacare Caiman (C. Yakare)
- Broad-snouted caiman (C. latirostris)
- Paleosuchus (Dwarf caimans?)
- Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman
- Smooth-fronted Caiman (P. trigonatus)), also known as Schneider's Smooth-fronted Caiman
- Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) (h) (only member of Melanosuchus)
