Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

© Maxime Aliaga/Minden Picture

Life is good in the swamp. Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

Let's take a sneak peek at the black caimans of South America that's lurking in the waters of Peru's Tambopata National Reserve. These carnivorous creatures thrive in freshwater environments such as slow-moving rivers, lakes and seasonally flooded savannahs. This creature, the largest in the alligator family, can grow to more than 6 metres and tip the scales at upwards of 450 kilograms. Their dark scales are a masterstroke of camouflage, giving them an edge in hunting a variety of aquatic and terrestrial prey. Their role extends beyond predation, however. They indirectly protect our agricultural interests by maintaining balance within their ecosystem, preventing overpopulation of species such as piranhas and capybaras, which can affect local agriculture and livestock.