RONDÔNIA, BRAZIL - A video has captured a spectacled caiman over four meters long swimming close to the shore of the Guaporé River in Rondônia, Brazil.

The footage was taken by filmmaker Robson Cristiano at Curralinho Beach, located in the municipality of Costa Marques, in the state's interior.

The animal approached an area where people were bathing, drawing attention for its massive size.

Curralinho Beach is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike and is a central gathering spot during the traditional Costa Marques Beach Festival.

Cristiano, who was at the beach with friends for leisure, said the caiman appeared in the late afternoon, when foot traffic had decreased.

He said he was stunned by the animal’s size, likening it to a pickup truck. Despite the initial scare, Cristiano noted that he was already aware of the presence of caimans in the region.

Biologist Flávio Terassini identified the animal as a Melanosuchus niger, commonly known as the black caiman—one of the largest reptile species in the Amazon, capable of growing over five meters in length.

According to Terassini, the caiman seen in Costa Marques is a juvenile, measuring just over four meters.

He explained that while the animal’s size may be intimidating, the likelihood of an attack is minimal. Black caimans tend to avoid areas with high human activity, he added.

Images: Robson Cristiano, filmmaker

Source: amazonagency.news