About the Project

The ZooTrophy Animal-a-Day project began on October 15th, 2013 as illustrator Angela "LemurKat" Oliver began working her way, systematically but selectively, through the alphabet and presenting, via social media, an illustrated animal to the world. Daily.

All pieces are drawn as 2.5 x 3.5 inch collectible cards, using a combination of polychromos and prismacolor pencils, along with other art materials. Many are still available for purchase ($10) or trade, so drop her an email if anything captures your eye or if there is an animal you wish to request.

It is predicted this project will take her at least two years to complete - with approximately 36 animals being drawn for each letter. She has also used the images to create a collectible hardback encyclopedia series, playing cards and a desk calendar, as well as the ZooTrophy collectible trading card game.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Creature Feature #76: Caiman

Caiman are small to medium sized crocodylians that make their home in Central and South America. There are several extant species. Her diet consists predominently of fish, including pirahna, but the occasional terrestrial vertebrate or large insect is taken and devoured. She can normally be found in mangrove swamps or rivers, lurking and waiting for her prey. When it comes time to breed, she will come ashore and lay between ten to fifty eggs in a nest she has constructed from vegetation. As this vegetation decays, it produces heat and incubates the eggs. The temperature of the eggs determines the gender of the offspring, with females being produced at 32 degrees celsius or higher, and males at lower temperatures. Mothers are very protective and will carry their youngsters down to the water.

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