CBS 4 (Denver, Colorado) 26 July 07 Denver Zoo Debuts Caiman Lizards
Denver: Three caiman lizards made their public debut at the Denver Zoo Thursday morning. Zookeepers fed the trio their favorite entree, snails.
This is the first time Denver Zoo has exhibited this species of lizard. Visitors can see the colorful lizards in the Tropical Discovery building, swimming in their pool or basking on the branches overhanging the water.
"These are one of my favorite species of reptiles," said Tim Trout, a zookeeper. "I have been wanted to have them here at Denver Zoo for a while now, and I am so excited that I now get to work with such an amazing species."
Caiman lizards are known for their extremely powerful jaws that they use to crack open the shells of snails, crawfish and large insects. Their jaws are so strong that they can crack open, in seconds, hard snail shells that can resist the jaws of various other predators.
The name "caiman" comes from their appearance, which from the neck-down resembles the caiman alligators of South America. These colorful lizards have green bodies and red-orange heads and can grow up to four feet in length and weigh up to six pounds.
Native to South America, caiman lizards live primarily in low swamps and flooded forests, often resting on roots or branches hanging over the water. If disturbed or threatened, they drop into the water and swim away.
Heavily hunted for the reptile leather trade, hundreds of thousands of these lizards are killed each year for their skin.
Denver Zoo Debuts Caiman Lizards