Crocs found by Customs officers

The two Caiman crocodiles were rescued by Customs officials Credit: Blue Reef Aquarium

A pair of baby caiman crocodiles which were seized by Customs officials have been given a new home in time for Christmas at Portsmouth's Blue Reef Aquarium.

The miniature members of the crocodile family, which currently measure just 40cm in length, were discovered separately after being brought in to the country illegally.

Now the pair, which could eventually grow up to 1.5 metres long and weigh 20kg, will be looked after at the Southsea wildlife attraction.

The spectacled caiman lives in a variety of wetland and river habitats and is found throughout south and central America.

Unusually it can tolerate both salt and freshwater environments and as a result is believed to be one of the most widely distributed of the world’s crocodile species.

The species' common name comes from a bony ridge between the eyes which gives the appearance of a pair of spectacles.

Mature caiman make a large nest on the forest floor using leaflitter and sticks in which the female lays up to 40 eggs. The heat created by this natural compost heap incubates the eggs.