THIS little snapper is the latest arrival at Southend’s Sea-Life Adventure and he is in need of a name.

The centre, in Eastern Esplanade, has given a home to a Cuvier’s dwarf cayman. At just 60 centimetres long, the two-year old croc is expected to grow to 1.5 metres, or just over 5ft. Experts believe this to be the most primitive species of crocodile.

The cayman’s arrival was the result of a swap with the Crocodiles of the World centre in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

Sea-Life senior aquarist Jennifer Vowles said: “Our Morelet’s crocodile, Steak, had grown too big for her enclosure and we wanted to find here a suitable home.

“Crocodiles of the World was happy to assist and in return, offered the dwarf cayman. We took one look at him and jumped at the chance.”

Now safely settled into his new habitat, he is set to become a hit with visitors.

Jennifer Vowles added: “Whenever I’m a Celebrity is on TV, it generates fresh interest in jungle critters and of course, Sea-Life Adventure has plenty of weird and wonderful varieties of them.

“We hope the cayman becomes used to being handled, so we can take him out of his tank and show him to customers and explain more about him, other crocodiles and alligators, and the environments they live in.”

Cuvier’s dwarf caymans are found in South America.

Despite the fierce looks of adults, dwarf caymans are shy and are not believed to be aggressive.

However, Jennifer said: “He might give you a nip, but is quite docile. He likes hiding behind some bark, but is fine when we lift him out to check him over.

That might change as he matures.”

As has become a tradition at Sea-Life, all the animals and fish are given names but, so far, the right one hasn’t sprung to mind.

Director Lucy Hodge said: “We didn’t want to make a ‘snap’ decision and after the success of our competition to name our albino lobster, now Claude White thanks to Mrs Sue Woollard, we thought we’d give our customers another chanc.”

The winning suggestion will get an annual Sea-Life Adventure pass.

Send your entry via Twitter to @SealifeAdv