Staff at Blackpool Zoo got a shock after a 10-year-old crocodile gave birth, despite staff thinking both crocs in their enclosure were girls.
The yacare caiman, a South American member of the crocodile family, is a notoriously difficult animal to identify as male or female.
But staff were still stunned when, on August 29, keepers noticed a tiny baby caiman peeping at them through the enclosure window at morning feeding time.
The eight-inch youngster was moved to a special care tank in the feeding kitchen where it is doing well. Section head, Ann Williams, said: "The baby eats small pieces of fish, locusts and pinkies (baby mice) three times a day, but it would eat constantly if given the chance.
finger food
"Caiman are not endangered, although they are hunted in the wild for their skins for bags and shoes.
"They normally live for between 25 and 40 years.
"In the wild they eat tadpoles and small mammals which they catch by sensing vibrations in the water."
The baby has not yet been named but staff would be happy to receive suggestions, by e-mailing info@blackpoolzoo.org.uk.
Another new arrival doing well at the Zoo is the green iguana, which arrived following it's brief encounter at the airport.
Although in quarantine, it is eating well and enjoying its new found freedom.
Staff at the Zoo are hoping it turns to be a female, and will call it Victoria, after the lingerie company Victoria's Secret.
The yacare caiman, a South American member of the crocodile family, is a notoriously difficult animal to identify as male or female.
But staff were still stunned when, on August 29, keepers noticed a tiny baby caiman peeping at them through the enclosure window at morning feeding time.
The eight-inch youngster was moved to a special care tank in the feeding kitchen where it is doing well. Section head, Ann Williams, said: "The baby eats small pieces of fish, locusts and pinkies (baby mice) three times a day, but it would eat constantly if given the chance.
finger food
"Caiman are not endangered, although they are hunted in the wild for their skins for bags and shoes.
"They normally live for between 25 and 40 years.
"In the wild they eat tadpoles and small mammals which they catch by sensing vibrations in the water."
The baby has not yet been named but staff would be happy to receive suggestions, by e-mailing info@blackpoolzoo.org.uk.
Another new arrival doing well at the Zoo is the green iguana, which arrived following it's brief encounter at the airport.
Although in quarantine, it is eating well and enjoying its new found freedom.
Staff at the Zoo are hoping it turns to be a female, and will call it Victoria, after the lingerie company Victoria's Secret.