Toronto Animal Services relocates pet caiman 'cutie' to reptile sanctuary

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No, that is not a large lizard.

Toronto Animal Services (TAS) recently found a new home for a caiman — in the same family as alligators but smaller — that was being kept in the city as a pet.

“Caimans and other Crocodylia, such as crocodiles and alligators are (perhaps unsurprisingly) prohibited in Toronto. Because of this, it’s not every day we get a call for a caiman!” wrote TAS on its Instagram account along with four photos, two of which that showed off the animal’s large chompers.

“Thankfully, our team were able to find this guy a much more suitable home at a reptile sanctuary. While this story ended well for the caiman, it’s important to know which animals are prohibited in Toronto — for their safety and ours.”

TAS says while some prohibited species as pets are more obvious than others — such as kangaroos and elephants — other prohibited animals it has come across include ducks, skunks and raccoons.

Reaction on social media was far less shock and more awe.

“What’s his name?” wrote one person

“What a cutie!” said another

“So cool!” remarked yet another.

“Before reading the information, I thought the services were trying to showcase him for an adoption. I’m glad that he was settled in a more suitable and natural place,” summed up someone else.

jstevenson@postmedia.com

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