Caiman fossil map
Where fossils of Caiman have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 5 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 5 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Crocodile relatives |
|---|---|
| Lived | 21 million years ago to the present (Aquitanian to Holocene) |
| Periods | Neogene, Quaternary |
| Family | Alligatoridae |
| Named by | Spix 1825 |
| Fossil records | 36 occurrences at 29 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia |
| Rock formations | txn:38421, Ituzaingo, Urumaco, Entre Rios, Solimões, Pebas |
About Caiman
Caiman is a genus of caimans within the alligatorid subfamily Caimaninae. They inhabit Central and South America. They are relatively small sized crocodilians, with all species reaching lengths of only a couple of meters and weighing 6 to 40 kg (13 to 88 lb) on average.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Caiman (genus) (revision 1373749660), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q11001288.
