CONSERVATION:
The value of the skin of this species is not considered to be very high, given both its small size and the poor 'quality' of the belly skin. Double osteoderms are present in the ventral scales, making the skin tough and too costly to tan. Threats, therefore, come more from habitat destruction and pollution (for example, through gold mining activities). Although legal subsistence hunting and collection for the pet trade (commercially in Guyana) reduce crocodile densities in local areas of some countries, there is no evidence that the populations have been significantly depleted in those areas. Extensive survey data are available for this species, usually collected during surveys of other crocodilian species. The data show that P. palpebrosus is widespread and relatively stable. There is little incentive for commercial exploitation, such as sustainable-yield management. Improvements in tanning technology and decreasing populations of more suitable species may result in greater le
vels of exploitation.
Despite the information regarding population status, little is known about the biology and ecology of this species, and further research is required in this area. It would also be useful to understand more fully the interactions between different crocodilian species, about which nothing is known for the dwarf caiman.
MORE INFORMATION:
For more information on distribution and conservation issues for this species,see the CSG Action Plan resource.
SIGNIFICANT REFERENCES:
Godshalk, RE (1982). The habitat and distribution of Paleosuchus in Venezuela. In: Crocodiles. Proceedings of the Fifth Working Meeting of the IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group, Gainesville, Florida. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. pp.31-38
Magnusson, WE (1992). Paleosuchus palpebrosus. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles: 554.1-554.2
Magnusson, WE, Da Silva, EV, Lima, AP (1987). Diets of Amazonian crocodilians. J. Herpetology 21(2): 85-95