dwarf dwarf small northern central south_america family found brazil colombia ecuador french peru venezuela lives forests flooded forests near lakes near fast flowing rivers streams traverse dry land reach temporary pools colder water species common names species include dwarf smooth fronted kept captivity pet referred wedge head pet trade dwarf described french zoologist species genus species closest relatives subfamily total length averaging males typically females dwarf smallest extant species family smallest adult typically weigh lack size partly strong body armour provided bony bases dermal scales provides protection predators juvenile dwarf mainly feed invertebrates small fish frogs adults eat larger fish amphibians invertebrates large uses shelter day order stay cool dry season female eggs nest months hatch helps escape nest provides parental care weeks life wide range large total population iucn lists conservation status concern etymology taxonomy dwarf described french zoologist type locality described given number names different authorities gray gray use currently accepted subspecies recognised genus contains members commonly known smooth fronted dwarf south_america distinguished subfamily absence inter ridge presence teeth region jaw species genus derived greek meaning ancient meaning refers belief comes ancient lineage diverged species thirty million years ago specific derived latin meaning meaning refers bony plates present upper common names include dwarf smooth fronted refer closely related pet trade referred wedge head description dwarf smallest living males grow maximum length metres females usually exceed metres largest specimen record measured length animal maximum size nearly large adults lost tips tails largest specimen measured region snout vent length equivalent total length intact tail adult typically weigh weight month old specimen larger species dwarf strong body armour dorsal upper ventral lower sides compensate small body size reducing predation dermal scales provide protection bony base known head unusual shape dome shaped skull short smooth concave snout tip shape resembling head dog upper jaw extends markedly forward lower jaw pre fourteen teeth upper jaw teeth lower jaw giving total eighty teeth neck relatively slender dorsal prominent smooth fronted double row tail small project vertically adults dark brownish black dark brown head juveniles brown black bands iris eye chestnut brown ages pupil vertical arrangement scales helps distinguish dwarf dwarf details post usually rows usually row usually rows usually rows longitudinal rows transverse rows arranged rows hind legs longitudinal transverse rows arranged usually rows hind legs longitudinal rows transverse longitudinal transverse rows crest usually scales scales crest usually rows usually rows small scales disrupt rows rows distribution habitat dwarf native tropical northern central south_america present upper reaches countries found include peru ecuador colombia venezuela french brazil range species larger smooth fronted extends includes larger area brazil dwarf freshwater species found forested habitats areas flooded forest lakes prefer rivers streams fast flowing water found quiet nutrient poor waters venezuela southeastern brazil able travel large distances overland night sub adult individuals found isolated temporary pools northern southern parts range found gallery forests savannah country absent habitats dwarf relatively tolerant cool water compared species day individuals lie times rest piles rocks sun lying facing sun shallow water backs exposed behaviour ecology dwarf mainly nocturnal adults feed fish amphibians small mammals birds crabs invertebrates catch water land juveniles eat fewer fish consume crustaceans frogs land invertebrates beetles prey ground stones dwarf dry season able maintain temperature days time adult dwarf usually found singly pairs breeding species little studied appear seasonal nature female builds mound nest vegetation mud concealed location lays clutch eggs hiding vegetation period days sex depends temperature nest time eggs begin hatch female opens nest response calls young newly emerged juveniles coating delay entering water days dried continuing presence skin believed reduce growth female stays young weeks time disperse young grow rate year reach sexual maturity years dwarf considered species presence ecosystem maintains healthy balance organisms absence fish dominate environment eggs newly hatched young dwarf risk preyed birds snakes rats mammals adult protected bony scales main predators green large status conservation hunted skins case dwarf ventral skin species heavily armoured easy tan individuals killed indigenous peoples food particularly collected pet trade evidence populations result threats species habitat destruction including mining gold thought great significance estimated total population million individuals red list threatened species iucn lists dwarf concern range extensive covering northern central south_america population trend unknown appears abundant found listed cites captive care dwarf kept pet providing suitable care expensive requires extremely large countries permits licenses necessary little experience exotic animals
Cuvier's dwarf caiman