Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru Aug 27, 2024

Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

Today"s image features a black caiman, South America"s stealthy river giant, in the Tambopata National Reserve of Peru. These caimans are the largest species in the alligator family, growing up to 20 feet and weighing as much as 1,000 pounds. Their dark color helps them blend into the murky depths. These carnivorous creatures thrive in freshwater environments such as slow-moving rivers, lakes, and seasonally flooded savannas. From these waters, they hunt for birds, fish, turtles, and occasionally big mammals. Black caimans play an important role in making sure ecosystems stay balanced by keeping the populations of their prey under control. More caimans mean fewer piranhas, which attack cattle, and fewer capybaras, which can cause crop damage.

© Maxime Aliaga/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Aug 27, 2018Tennis in the park
Aug 27, 2019Remembering Krakatoa
Aug 27, 2020Rocks on the move
Aug 27, 2021Yabba-Dabba-Doo!
Aug 27, 2022Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington
Aug 27, 2023Jeju Island, South Korea
Aug 27, 2025World Lake Day in the Faroe Islands

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 9, 2024Llama Day
Dec 26, 2020Happy Boxing Day!
Oct 1, 2024Yosemite National Park anniversary
May 6, 2024The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
May 8, 2018Raise your hand for Teacher Appreciation Day
Apr 14, 2018It’s National Dolphin Day!
Dec 9, 2019Let s crack the code
Jul 17, 2025Lavender fields in Plateau de Valensole, France
May 21, 2020A visionary artist paints his own garden view
Apr 29, 2023Astronomy Day
Dec 9, 2022Muskoxen in Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park, Norway
Oct 4, 2021Hey neighbor, it s World Space Week!
Sep 20, 2022Sea Otter Awareness Week
Jun 15, 2024International Surfing Day
Mar 20, 2018Celebrating the first day of spring
Jul 1, 2023The Tour de France begins
Jun 22, 2018Celebrating Take Your Dog to Work Day
Jul 9, 2022Dolomites
Jun 5, 2019Happy trees = Clean air
Aug 25, 2020Punakaiki on South Island, New Zealand
Mar 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Sep 3, 2018Construction workers resting above Manhattan
Mar 27, 2020Pretty in pink, and purple, and red…
Jun 9, 2025Old City of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia, Croatia
Jan 17, 2024Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany
Dec 23, 2021Festivus
Sep 3, 2024Wilderness Act anniversary
Jun 15, 2019Pasadena Chalk Festival supports local arts education
Oct 24, 202075 years of the United Nations
Jun 17, 2023International Surfing Day