Creature Closeups: Caiman Lizards | California Academy of Sciences

These jewel-toned lizards may not leap,
but they certainly know how to lounge.
Draco and Jade joined the Amazon
Flooded Forest exhibit in Nov. 2023…
...and peacefully coexist with our green-
crested basilisk and matamata turtles.
They aren't caimans, but spiky scales on
their backs give them a crocodilian vibe.
They use their long forked tongue
to sense prey and predators…
…and lick their lips after a snack.
Our biologists train these brainy
lizards to recognize two key cues:
Targets mean tasty treats like
snails, bait fish, or prawn…
...and a refreshing jungle shower
means mealtime is over.

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The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution dedicated to regenerating the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it's the only place in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum—plus cutting-edge research programs—all under one living roof.

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