Lucy, the Black caiman, Sani Lodge, Ecuador

Just before docking at Sani Lodge, we were pointed towards Lucy, judging the arrival of fresh meat. Lucy is a naughty Black caiman, she had been nesting directly under one of the guest lodges. That particular lodge is now named after her and richly illustrated with her image. Lucy is tolerated, her presence accepted.

Lucy is not to be mistaken for a pet though. A black caiman is the largest predator of the Amazon. There isn't a single species that it cannot take on, humans included. It's an enforcer species, maintaining order.

comments (5)

Christine Young

Lion

I don't think I'd want to stay in that particular guest lodge. Posted 3 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  It's a staff lodge now. The nesting was some time ago though, so the direct threat should be cleared. Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I bet her babies were cute. Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      They are. Can soon become a crowd though:
      
      Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        They are definitely cute! The baby in that top photo melts my heart (not literally, hehe). <3. Posted 3 years ago

The Black caiman

The black caiman is a crocodilian. It is a carnivorous reptile that lives along slow-moving rivers and lakes, in the seasonally flooded savannas of the Amazon basin, and in other freshwater habitats in South America. Once common, it was hunted to near extinction primarily for its commercially valuable hide. It is now listed as Conservation Dependent.

Info 9 0

Similar species: Crocodilia

Species identified by Ferdy Christant