Interns from Indiana are very talented they think they can wrestle Caiman alligators. We have a nice video of our staff trying to catch an alligator with a ball retriever and a rope. Let's just say Toby got a little excited and the words "uhh huh, pull it, pull it, pull it, uhhh yeah, you got it, ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, What the Fuck" were uttered. A. Who thought you could catch an alligator with a ball retriever, and 50 feet of rope. 2. Why did the intern video tape it and then give a porno like description of the events taking place. D. Why are their alligators in Puerto Rico and why is the golf staff trying to catch them?
Fact Sheet
NAME ETYMOLOGY: Caiman is a Spanish term for "alligator" or any crocodilianDISTRIBUTION: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba*, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico*, Suriname, Tobago, Trinidad, United States*, Venezuela = introduced - C. c. fuscus in Cuba and
Puerto Rico
APPEARANCE: A relatively small to medium sized crocodilian (males generally reach 2.0 m to 2.5 m, with the largest specimens reported to approach 3 m - but these are undoubtedly rare). Females are smaller, reaching a mean maximum size of 1.4 m, and rare individuals may approach 2 m. Its common name derives from a bony ridge which is present between the front of the eyes (infra-orbital bridge), appearing to join the eyes like a pair of spectacles. A triangular ridge is present on the heavily-ossified upper eyelids, vaguely reminiscent of those on the dinosaur Allosaurus. Juveniles are yellow in colour with black spots and bands on the body and tail. As they mature, they lose this yellow colour and the markings become less distinct. Adults are dull olive-green. This species (probably along with several others, including A. mississippiensis) has shown a limited ability to change colour (metachrosis) due to changes in the distribution of black pigment in melanophore cells. The different subspecies vary in colour, size and skull shape.
DIET:Juveniles take a variety of aquatic invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, molluscs). As they grow, various vertebrates take up a greater percentage of the diet. These include fish, amphibians, reptiles and water birds. Older animals are capable of taking larger, mammalian prey (e.g. wild pigs). Observations show that as conditions become drier, caimans stop feeding. Cannibalism has been reported under such conditions. The ecological importance of this species has been demonstrated in terms of nutrient recycling - nitrogenous waste re-enters the ecosystem to the benefit of other plants and animals. In areas where this species has become depleted, fish populations have also shown a decline. They are also reputed to control piranha numbers. While it has been stated that little evidence is available to support this, C. yacare does demonstrate this particular dietary preference. In reality, it is likely that C. crocodilus is very much a generalist and adaptive predator, given its ecological success.
BREEDING:Females become sexually mature at 1.2 m, which may be between 4 and 7 years depending on the population. Males mature at larger sizes than females, but similar ages (1.4 m and 4 to 7 years). Social status affects growth rate and hence readiness for breeding. Less dominant animals grow less quickly due to stress, and often do not get the chance to breed. Gonads begin to increase in size towards the end of the dry season (April to May) and peak at the start of the wet season (May to June). Courtship and mating generally occur between May and August, and the eggs (from 14 to 40, mean size being around 22) are laid during the wet season (July to August) in a mound nest constructed from soil and vegetation. Location is generally under cover, but some are sited in more open areas or on floating mats of vegetation. Nests may be shared by females, a strategy which may help to increase the survival of juveniles from each parent. Nest predators include large, monitor-like Tupinambis lizards, which can destroy up to 80% of nests in an area. Females will remain close to nests in an attempt to dissuade predators. When the juveniles hatch after around 90 days, there is usually a plentiful supply of invertebrate food available due to the timing of hatching. In the period following hatching, juveniles will remain in groups close to the female, and will follow her around even over land between different pools. One female may take over the maternal duties for multiple groups of hatchlings (pods) from different parents. During this time, social hierarchies are established between the juveniles.
Toby's Vital Stats:
5' 10" 190 lbs Whitish in color, except when intoxicated takes on a reddish hue. Frequently seen at various bars and generally seen where alcohol is available. Known as a loud animal with a small brain that has been known to love the "Clean Sanchez"
