Palo caiman
Thouinidium pulverulentum
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Palo caiman faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Caribbean and Central America. Coastal development and tourism infrastructure have fragmented its dry forest habitat, while selective logging targets mature trees of this valuable timber species. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased hurricane intensity and altered precipitation patterns affecting its specialized dry forest ecosystem.
Habitat
Palo caiman inhabits dry tropical forests and coastal woodlands throughout the Caribbean islands and parts of Central America. It thrives in well-drained soils of lowland areas and can tolerate salt spray, making it particularly suited to coastal forest margins and limestone-based ecosystems.
Other threatened species in Sapindaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Palo caiman classified as Endangered?
Where does Palo caiman live?
What are the main threats to Palo caiman?
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