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© Sedgwick County Zoo, credit: Brent Ward

Crocodile Lizard

Shinisaurus crocodilurus

*This animal is not on exhibit.

Physical Characteristics

  • These lizards are found in shades of grey and often have bright orange markings. They have ridges of large scales, situated in rows that jut out.
  • Size of average adult
    • length: 8 inches

Diet

  • Wild: mollusks, small fish, tadpoles and insects

Behavior

  • Diurnal
  • Solitary (generally one animal per pool)
  • Sleep along branches above pools and streams
  • Dive into water at first sign of danger
  • Hibernate November - March
  • Reproduction
    • ovoviviparous (young born alive)
    • breeding season: spring after hibernation
    • young born in the fall
    • clutch size: 2-7
    • young are very active begin to feed soon after birth

Environmental/Global

  • Habitat: clear pools of slowly moving water with rocky or sandy bottoms and vines hanging above in secondary growth forests of evergreens and bamboo at elevations of 600-2400 ft.
  • Distribution : Dayao Shan mountain range of east-central Guangxi Province of China
  • Status: CITIES Appendix II
    • found in low numbers in limited range
    • illegal importation

 
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