Croc is our resident Spectacled Caiman. The species gets its name from the bony ridge between their eyes, which makes it look as if they were wearing a pair of spectacles. As her name and photos may suggest, Caimans belong to the same family as crocodiles and alligators and originate from Central and South America.
The victims of the exotic reptile trade industry, Croc was purchased as a baby and quickly became more responsibility than her owner could safely manage. Illegally and improperly kept, Fish and Wildlife intervened when her owner could no longer care for her. Fish and Wildlife contacted Popcorn Park and we had just the right place for Croc in our reptile house. Croc arrived in 1987 and has happily called Popcorn Park home ever since!
Since Caiman's require warm temperatures and a high level of humidity to survive, Croc spends the colder winter months in our climate-controlled Reptile House, complete with a warm pool and UV lights. In the warmer summer months, Croc lives in Caiman Corner, a special outdoor pond where she can swim in the warm water and bask on the rocks in the sunshine.