A caiman (/ ˈ k eɪ m ə n / (also spelled cayman [3]) from Taíno kaiman [4] [additional citation(s) needed]) is an alligatorid belonging to the subfamily Caimaninae, one of two primary lineages within the Alligatoridae family, the other being alligators. Caimans are native to Central and South America and inhabit marshes, swamps, lakes, and ...