Yacare caiman eating the eggs of a conspecific during oviposition

Yacare caiman eating the eggs of a conspecific during oviposition

 

Jen Walkowich, Reptile Keeper, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park – July 4, 2009

 

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida has reported many interesting behaviors from crocodilians: young alligators eating their vegetables, others swallowing their food underwater, crocodiles feeding their young, and now Caiman yacare eating the eggs of a conspecific as she was in the process of oviposition. The enclosure is occupied by five female Caiman yacare, that were fed a diet of Mazuri crocodilian pellets earlier that day. Around 7:00pm, one female was observed intently watching another female depositing the eggs and then proceeded to grab an egg from the nest. After swallowing that egg, she grabbed another and entered the pool to eat the second egg. A third female was observed watching the event, but did not appear interested in the activity.

 

Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter VOLUME 28, NUMBER 3 – July 2009-September 2009

 

Watch video of this behavior