Category: Reptiles
Also known as the smooth-fronted caiman, these reptiles are the second-smallest crocodilian. They are native to the Amazon and Orinoco Basins in South America. They are an elusive species that usually hides in burrows during the day and rarely basks in the sun. Their nests are often built near termite mounds - the caiman’s clutch eggs are incubated by metabolic heat from the termites as well as any decaying vegetation that is present.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smooth-fronted_caiman
The not-a-snake
The slow worm has a long body, lacks limbs, and is covered in lustrous scales - so is it a snake? No, it is a lizard! Because unlike snakes, the slow worm has eyelids, visible ears, and like many lizards, its tail can break off in the mouth of a predator, allowing them to escape for another day. The slow worm belongs to the Anguidae family, and similarly (but independently) lost their limbs to better adapt to their environments. These “not-snakes” can be found in gardens throughout Europe and the UK, helping to control the population of slugs and other pests, though you probably won’t see any if you have a cat: a slow worm will likely prove a favorite food of your cat!
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