A WEST Somerset zoo is soon to welcome a replacement for Mrs Nasty, its much-loved spectacled caiman which died in January.

Mrs Nasty was the oldest resident of Tropiquaria Zoo - older than any of the humans who looked after her - and died after a short, age-related illness.

Now, the zoo, near Watchet, is to receive a 14-year-old African dwarf crocodile named Munchkin, which was previously kept by Bournemouth Oceanarium but has outgrown its environment.

But, first, Tropiquaria staff have to build a new home in the zoo’s reptile house for Munchkin because Mrs Nasty’s old enclosure has since been redeveloped to provide habitat for boa constrictors.

A Tropiquaria spokesperson said: “We have some big plans, and are excited to get started on a brand new and amazing enclosure in the reptile house that Munchkin can call home, complete with its own pond, stream, dense planting, and basking areas, and multi-area viewing for our guests.”

Munchkin’s home will be Tropiquaria’s largest project of the year, following on from the building in 2025 of an enclosure for Bode, the bobcat it rescued from being euthanised and which quickly became a visitors’ favourite.

The spokesperson said: “Earlier this year we said a sad goodbye to Mrs Nasty and we were so touched by the volume of lovely comments about how much our guests loved to see her.

“While there will only ever be one Mrs Nasty, we are excited to bring Munchkin into the family and we are sure you will love her.

“Work on the new enclosure will start in the coming weeks and guests will start to see some big changes in the reptile house, and we are so excited to start sharing the progress with you.”

Tropiquaria works with animal rescue services across the UK to provide ‘forever homes’ for animals in need.