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Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) Fact Sheet: Diet & Feeding

Diet

Vertebrates

  • Fish (Magnusson et al. 1987; Botero-Arias 2007)
  • Frogs (Botero-Arias 2007)
  • Snakes (Medem 1958; Botero-Arias 2007; Dutra-Araujo et al. 2017)
  • Turtles (managed care) (Milan et al. 2010)
  • Small mammals (Medem 1958)
  • Birds (Trutnau and Sommerlad 2006)
  • Crocodilians
    • Large males may occasionally eat other small crocodilians (Medem 1958; Medem 1981, as cited by Magnusson 1989)
      • Uncommonly, reports of cannibalism

Invertebrates

  • Crabs (Magnusson et al. 1987; Campos et al. 1995)
  • Shrimps (Magnusson et al. 1987; Botero-Arias 2007)
  • Molluscs (Magnusson et al. 1987; Botero-Arias 2007)
    • Snails
    • Shellfish
  • Insects, especially beetles (Magnusson et al. 1987; Botero-Arias 2007)
  • Spiders (e.g., Botero-Arias 2007)

Feeding

Digestion and scat

  • Stones sometimes found in digestive tract (Medem 1958; Magnusson et al. 1987)

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