Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Wedge Head Caiman? I see them posted in the classifieds from time to time. Would it be another name for a Paleosuchus trigonatus? Or Paleosuchus palpebrosus?
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Ed

These heat lamps make my electric bill to high.

I believe its Paleosuchus trigonatus, I dont understand why sellers cant or dont use the correct scientific names, or even at least use the most common name for the species.

eg ... Smooth Front Caiman or Schneiders Caiman

It is so important that people use scientific names!!

I would never buy a species if the scientific name isnt given!!

What you are witnessing is probably marketing ploy. Your questioning of the fanciful name this proprietor has given it has given his business extra attention from you. In fact, as of this posting, even from me; Or it could also be a name given it because it is simply a hybrid.

I agree that animals for sale should be identified by their common names or if they are going to be assigned a fanciful marketing name, such should be clarified by a description and common name.

But how can I know what this term means? I emailed them several weeks ago, asking what this term means, and received no response. Do you think I will ever do business with them?
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

As it seems to me, people use odd terms like this when they them selfs dont know the true species being refered to and dont want to loose a sale.

What is it a dwarf caiman or a smooth front caiman??, oh i know, its a wedge head caiman !!

or, is it a dwarf or a smooth front??, oh i got it, since both species stay small and look alike ill just say its a dwarf, if anything is said later ill just say it is a dwarf caiman but i didnt know which type.

or dont you love the adds that say "some type of dwarf Caiman"

unbelievable, if you dont know about crocodilians, not even enough to properly identify them, dont sell them!! just think of the person that would buy a croc from such a seller.

These tatics are bad in regards to a lot of species, but more so in regards to dwarfs (p. palpebrosus) and smooth fronts (p. trigonatus) so it seems lately

Wedge head is just one of the common names given to the smooth front (P. trigonatus) because of its triangular shaped head.

Wedge Head Caiman is the exact translation of the german "Keilkopfkaiman", which means Paleosuchus trigonatus.
Tomistoma Task Force

Ralf,

Thank for that German translation. You'll note that the advertisement for these "Wedge Head" caimans distinguishes them from Smooth Fronted Caimans(p. trigonatus).
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Israel Dupont
Winter Haven, FL

Yes, I believe that particular ad lists both "wedge head" caimans as well as "dwarf Caiman" but gives no scientifif names.

A species could have 12 differant "common names", scientific names should always be used!!

I talked to a dealer a while back that had offered me some wedge head caiman in trade, I asked him what species that was and he was like, ummm "dwarf" & I was like ummm no thanks!