Subadults have been found in temporary, isolated bodies of water. Skull shape may reflect increased use of burrows, which are used as shelter by adults during the day. Juveniles are brown with blank banding. Adults are darker. Head is chocolate brown, with an iris colour to match.
Lower jaw is flecked with white bands.
Less prominent dorsal scutes than Paleosuchus trigonatus . The diet of caimans is known to be dependent upon the habitat in which the caiman lives. The short, backward-curved teeth are particularly suited to taking invertebrates such as crustaceans. Prey also varies depending upon its availability, of course. Data are sparse concerning breeding ecology.