CAIMAN LIZARD Dracaena guianensis ©Laura Quick The South American caiman lizard has a few adaptations: • a long and flattened tail, similar to its namesake, the caiman • tail helps the caiman lizard to successfully swim and dive • clear third eyelid is thought to act like a pair of goggles underwater • strong jaw as they specialize in eating snails The body of the caiman lizard is very similar to that of a crocodile. These beautiful and colorful lizards can reach up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long and weigh up to 10 lb (4.5 kg). Live in swampy habitats, where they are adept swimmers and often hang out on branches overhanging water. They were hunted nearly to extinction for their skin, until they were protected in the 1970s and their numbers have rebounded. Probably my favorite lizard at the Zoo, I hadn't seen it recently in the LAIR and found it again in the South America exhibit. This one is shedding. #caimanlizard #dracaenaguianensis #southamerica #docent #class #lazoo #glaza #reptile #lizard #colorful #redhead #buff #©lauraquick #photojourney #losangeles #california #week3 #discovery #giant #4footlong #10pound #eatenbyjaguars https://www.instagram.com/p/B7hCfBHH-lQ/?igshid=1h4z9isgjpdjq
