Day 179 of 365 Things To Do in Panama

Day of 179 of 365 Things To Do in Panama. Look out for Caimans!

Caiman crocodiles are found in much of Central and South America and live in lowland wetlands and are quite adaptable to different habitats. Its common species name comes from the bony ridge the Caiman sports between its eyes, which gives the appearance that the reptile is wearing a pair of glasses. The Spectacled Caiman feed mostly on fish, amphibians, other reptiles and water birds.

A caiman is an alligatorid crocodilian belonging to the subfamily Caimaninae, one of two primary lineages within Alligatoridae, the other being alligators. They live in lakes and slow-moving rivers.

Caimans live in the Panama Canal. They can also be seen lazing around in the Chagres River waters that lap the shores of Gamboa Resort. In Coronado, Caimans are found in the man-made Tortuga Lake and the golf course and other areas.

How Caimans got to Coronado is subject of myth and rumor. According to Playacommunity.com, there are three different stories depending on who tells it. One story says a young Eduardo Eisenman, who has a love for animals, smuggled a couple of baby caimans into the lake.

Another version indicates that the caimans found their way over when a nearby lake dried up. A third tale says that a homeowner with property on the lake kept them as pets in a backyard pond. When the man died, his family plopped them into the lake to get rid of them.

Keep your eyes open and your camera ready for a great shot!