Smooth-Fronted Caiman (NHMW-Zoo-HS 31557)

3D Model

3D scan of a smooth-fronted caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus). These crocodilians live in creeks, rivers and pools of the rainforests in northern South America. With a maximum length of 1.6 meters, they are one of the smallest living crocodilian species. This caiman measures 1.15 meters. It arrived at the museum from Brazil in 1830. It is an example of early taxidermy and represents a piece of zoological research history.

The Cuvier’s smooth-fronted caiman is Number 72 of the NHM Top 100 and can be found in Hall 28 of the NHM Vienna.

Specimen: Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Cuvier, 1807)

Inventory number: NHMW-Zoo-HS 31557

Collection: Natural History Museum Vienna, 1st Zoological Dept., Herpetology Coll. (curator: Silke Schweiger)

Find out more about the NHMW here.

Scanned and edited by Anna Haider & Viola Winkler (NHMW)

Scanner: Artec Leo. Infrastructure funded by the FFG.