  Pablo Etchevers
It was an unforgettable character. It was a giant caiman born in the Iberá Wetlands, who became famous in 1978, and, together with his friends, amused adults and children alike. |
 |
Born in the Province of Corrientes, Margarito Tereré was given a really native surname (tereré is a cold mate, very popular in the area) by his authors, Waldo Belloso and Zulema Alcayata. In the mid 1960s, they created one of the most indigenous characters in our country. Corrientes is the main stage of the mythical character.
During our stay at Iberá, the idea of the search for the Margaritos, as many people here call the caymans, came as soon as we stepped on the ground and water. On board motor boats and canoes, we headed towards the very heart of the huge Iberá lagoon up to the most hidden brooks, where caymans are abundant, as well as capybaras and deer.
Open-Mouthed at the Sun
We caught them sunbathing. Static, as if they were dolls, they were waiting for us lying in the sun with their big mouths open and their beautiful skins dried up by the heat of the environment. Some of them were black with grey stripes, others were greener; the fact is that in a few minutes we had already watched almost twenty of them. Males and females, even some younger ones, jumped into the water as soon as they saw us, or stayed still to see how close we would approach. |
 |
The respect prevailing in the species is outstanding. Their enormous mouths and yellow reptile eyes force watching them cautiously from some meters away, but still a fine distance to take photographs.
Black and Green
The black narrow-snouted caiman is a reptile which grows about to three meters long. It is usually found in the Iberá lagoons and wetlands. But, though less frequent, there is also the green or broad-snouted caiman which has a bigger face than the previous kind. These specimens grow up to two meters and a half of length and have almost the same behavior as the black caiman.
The caymans move around all the estuaries and are pleasantly used to sunbathing on the embalsado, which is a mass of floating water weeds, especially camalotes. |
 |
There, like in the first musical record of Margarito Tereré (“Margarito Tereré sings with his gang” was the name of the album), caymans share the place with otters, giant otters, capybaras, birds and even the elusive deer of the swamps. It is during summer when things seem to change. Early in the summer, the species shakes off the lethargy and the rest of the animals turn into prey. Caymans go hunting.
“The species’ instinct”, say naturalists and biologists to refer to this behavior which not only attains well-deserved respect from man but also encourages visitors to get the best pictures to capture the bravery of these reptiles. |
|
Welcome Argentina - People & Characters in Esteros del Iberá
© 2003-2024 Total or partial reproduction forbidden. Derechos de Autor 675246 Ley 11723
|
| |
Though old, Margarito Tereré’s record is a real treasure and some of its classical songs can be found in different sites in the Internet. It was released in 1977 by RCA (Victor). The most famous songs include the polka “Soy Margarito Tereré” (I am Margarito Tereré) and “Chaque no me pisen la cola” (Don’t stand on my tale), with a Corrientes native rhythm. A poetic way of visiting one of the most beautiful sites in the country, the Iberá Wetlands.
|
|
|
Back to Outings in Esteros del Iberá
