Thanksgiving at Zoo Knoxville offered visitors a unique spectacle as two Cuban crocodiles, Miguel and Rose, participated in a holiday enrichment exercise that allowed them to display their impressive leaping abilities. According to WATE, the crocodiles were presented with a particularly unusual treat: large turkeys were lowered into their enclosure using a crane, providing both a nourishing meal and a chance for the reptiles to engage in natural predatory behaviors.
While capturing their prey, each year, the keepers encourage this behavior by providing the crocodiles with turkeys as a seasonal treat, designed to stimulate both their minds and bodies. “Each year, keepers use a crane to lower a turkey above the Cuban crocodile habitat at the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus (ARC),” stated a press release obtained by WVLT. This practice showcases the crocodiles’ “explosive vertical jump,” a characteristic behavior that Zoo Knoxville officials say exemplifies their agility and strength…