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Hallie E. Cowan
Paleosuchus trigonatus is a species of small caiman that inhabits small streams in the canopy-covered jungles of northern South America. There has been little research done on this habitat specialist including their behavior and how they adapt to their unique environment. Using data collected by the Secret Forest Research Station on the Tambopata River in the Peruvian Amazon we looked at how cloud coverage, rainfall patterns and temperature affect their activity. This study analyzed 15 reports of P. trigonatus between April 2020 and May 2022 made by the Secret Forest herpetology team. We found most of the caimans were detected on nights with relatively clear skies, little to no rain during the day and an air temperature of 26 degrees celsius. This data on their preferred weather conditions is important as the climate in the region changes. Data from the study could suggest how this habitat specialist could be affected as the frequency of their preferred weather conditions change.
For more information: hecowan@eckerd.edu
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