SOUTHEND’s Caiman has been given a snappy new name – and it’s all thanks to an 11- year-old girl.

The dwarf caiman is now known as Gizmo after schoolgirl Gemma McArthur won a competition to name him.

Hundreds of entries were received, but despite a lengthy judging process, it just had to be Gizmo.

Prize-winner Gemma, from Canvey, is a regular visitor to Sea Life Adventure and not only picked Gizmo’s name, but also had the chance to feed him.

Jonathan Humphrys, manager of Sea Life Adventure, said: “Despite being part of the crocodile and alligator family and, like the creature in Gremlins, he has far fiercer cousins; our little caiman is ever so cute. During our deliberations, Amelie Brackin – one of our aquarists – revealed she used to have a pet pufferfish when she was little called Gizmo.

“After hearing that, it just seemed to be the perfect name. I know Amelie is chuffed to bits it was chosen.”

The caiman arrived at Sea Life Adventure on the seafront last November.

Gemma, whose favourite animals at the aquarium are the piranhas, said: “I’ve always had the name Gizmo in my mind and thought it would be good for a caiman.

“It’s a fun name and caimans are cool.”

Currently just 60 centimetres long, two-year old Gizmo will eventually grow to about 1.5 metres, or just over 5ft, when he reaches full maturity.

He arrived as part of a swap arrangement with Brize Norton based Crocodiles of the World after Steak,a morelet’s crocodile, grew too big for his tank at Sea Life Adventure.

Gizmo quickly settled into life in his new home and he has become something of a hit with visitors.

Over time, the centre’s experts hope Gizmo will become used to being handled, so he can play a starring role in their educational talks.

You can see Gizmo in the Croc Tank, near the Frogs display.