Also known as the "Common Caiman", the beautiful Spectacled Caiman is quite popular as a pet among crocodilian enthusiasts.

In the wild, the Common Caiman is found in rivers and wet lowland habitats. They eat crustaceans, mollusks, birds, reptiles, and fish. Larger adults will sometimes take mammals as large as pigs. In the dry season when food is scarce, most Spectacled Caimans are forced to fast, although some will eat other caimans. There are definite social hierarchies among Spectacled Caimans in the wild, and some individuals show stunted growth due to the stress placed on them by larger individuals. Spectacled Caimans tend to be quite shy as hatchlings and spend lots of time hiding from view. Although the occasional adult is somewhat docile, more often than not, Spectacled Caimans are known for their aggressive nature as adults. In captivity, Spectacled Caimans will usually do well when fed twice weekly. They may be offered mice, fish, insects, or other prey items of appropriate size. Some people will leave live fish in their Caiman's enclosure, although some Caimans are very inaccurate hunters and it may be advisable to use fish which remain close to the surface and are slow moving. However, even when the Spectacled Caiman lunges at and misses a fish, it may injure the fish enough that the item becomes an easy prey for its next attempt. It is advisable to feed them with tongs to avoid serious injury. Spectacled Caimans will open their eyes, dilate their pupils, and hiss when alarmed. They appear to be calmed when their eyes are covered so that they cannot see. They are, however, fully capable of inflicting serious bites, so you should be careful when handling your Caiman or entering its enclosure.

By adulthood, male Spectacled Caimans are usually between six and a half to eight feet in length. Females are smaller. Spectacled Caimans derive their name from the bony ridge, which appears to connect their eyes in the manner of the bridge of a pair of spectacles. The upper eyelids are heavily ossified and are marked by a triangular ridge, giving the Spectacled Caiman a rather prehistoric appearance. Although younger Spectacled Caimans have yellow coloration with black spots, most adults are a matte olive green color, and the black markings are much less evident. Spectacled Caimans have between 72 and 78 teeth. Like other members of their family, Spectacled Caimans have a clear membrane that protects their eyes if they are opened underwater. Sadly, some people believe that Caimans will only grow to the size of the enclosure in which they are kept, resulting in a number of animals becoming deformed, mistreated, and generally unhealthy.

Spectacled Caimans are very adaptable and are generally found in a variety of habitats. They are distributed throughout Central and South America and are known by many different names in many different locales. Although they are hunted for their hides and trapped for the pet trade, Spectacled Caimans do not appear to be in dire straits. However, in some areas they have become severely depleted and further studies are needed to determine the exact situation of the Spectacled Caiman.

Spectacled Caimans may have trouble digesting insects with tough exoskeletons, so it may be better not to feed them such items. The water in their enclosures should usually be kept around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and they should be provided with a warmer basking spot in the dry land area of their home. Because Spectacled Caimans have tendencies to poke about and dig, it is best not to place heavy rocks or other large items in the enclosure that could fall on them. They like floating logs or flat rocks on which to rest.

Female Spectacled Caimans usually reach sexual maturity between four and seven years of age. They show courtship displays and will mate between May and June. During the wet season, the Spectacled Caiman constructs a nest from vegetation and soil. They will lay between 14 and 40 eggs in this nest, which will incubate for about 90 days. Often, female Spectacled Caimans will use communal nests, guarding them carefully from predators. When the little Caimans hatch, they eat mainly invertebrate animals. They follow a single female about while they are young, and this female may take care of the young of several other Caimans. At this time, social hierarchies are established.