Orinoco crocodile
The Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) is a relatively large species with a long, slight upward-curving snout. They can reach lengths of up to 15 feet (4.6 m). Orinoco crocodiles can be found in the quiet waters and lagoons of the Orinoco River basin. Juveniles eat small fish and invertebrates. Larger animals eat many aquatic vertebrates, including fish. Terrestrial mammals or birds approaching or in the water are also easy prey. "Juancho" (male) was a house pet in Venezuela before being taken to a breeding farm. "Miranda" (female) was confiscated from poachers and sent to an experimental laboratory. It is believed that only one thousand adult Orinoco crocodiles are left in the wild. The Dallas World Aquarium actively participates in conservation programs for this critically endangered reptile.

Red bellied piranha
Red-bellied piranhas (Serrasalmus nattereri) are indigenous to the rivers of South America. They have stocky silver bodies with reddish bellies. Their triangular, interlocking teeth are razor sharp. These communal, meat-eating fish can devour animals in seconds. This feeding frenzy is usually caused by the scent of blood in the water.

Pacu
Pacus (Piaractus brachypomus) live in the Orinoco and Amazon River basins. The large freshwater fish is an important food fish in South America. It feeds on insects and decaying plants.

Cotton-top tamarin
Cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) are located safely above Crocodile Cove. Highlighting the grayish-brown body of the Cotton-top tamarin is a crown of shocking white hair. These diurnal and arboreal primates are very social and live in groups of thirteen or more individuals. Males and other siblings become the primary care givers of the newborn (usually twins).

Bare-throated bellbird
Bare-throated bellbirds (Procnias nudicollis) share the rainforest with the Cotton-top tamarins. They are completely white, except for a featherless, blue areas around their face and eyes. Bellbirds have the ability to make extremely loud calls or bell sounds that can be heard throughout the rainforest. Bellbirds use mating areas known as exploded leks. A lek is a small circular area in which the male performs a ritual dance to attract a female. In an exploded lek, instead of several males performing or displaying in small arenas, fewer males perform in a large circular pattern (often up to .5 mile or .8 km in diameter). Male bellbirds use their loud "bell" sound to attract females.

Sunbittern
The heron-shaped Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) hunts for fish, amphibians, crustaceans and insects near water in forests, woodlands and swampy places. Sunbitterns have a long stout body, long slim neck and a rather small head. Most of the feathers are barred with gray, brown, black and white. When spreading its wings, bright chestnut, black, yellow and white plumage can be seen. It is the only species of the family Eurypygidae.