06/18/2026
The introduction of Caiman to Florida can be traced back to the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1967, the American alligator received federal protection. With domestic alligator leather previously driving the industry, leather producers started importing the Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) from South America into Florida. Established populations of C. crocodilus were not reported in Florida until the late 1970s.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis has suggested the taxonomic status of Florida Caimans as C. c. fuscus originating from individuals collected from the Magdalena River and nearby coastal Colombia.
Catch rates of Caiman in Florida have been on a steady decline since 2020. In recent years, the Croc Docs and Homestead Air Force Base staff have reported that they believed they were close to eradicating Caiman in South Florida.
Florida’s native American Alligator populations have shown no evidence of species level population declines, despite tremendous environmental pressures and direct killing efforts. American Crocodile populations are on the increase in Florida. The warming climate and decrease in subsidized egg predators like raccoons (which are being eaten by nonnative pythons) are contributing factors.
No evidence supports claims by recent news articles that Caimans are “hampering” efforts to restore the Everglades. There isn’t even enough evidence of negative impacts by Caiman to support calling it an “Invasive Species.”
The Everglades faces far greater challenges than its small and apparently declining population of Caiman. Pollution, development, changing climate, water quality and availability pose the most serious threats to the Everglades ecosystem. Any folks trying to convince you otherwise most likely want to distract you from their own environmentally-destructive activities, or they need funding for their own projects.
