Chinese crocodile lizard

Scientific name: Shinisaurus crocodilurus

IUCN listed as: Endangered

Learn before you visit!

Here are some facts about the species – Discover what they eat, find out about their natural habitat, see what they like to do, and more… Set the reading style to suit you too, everyday speak or something aimed towards children.

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Diet

The Chinese Crocodile Lizard primarily feeds on aquatic insects, small fish, and amphibians. They are skilled hunters and use their keen eyesight to spot prey both in water and on land. Occasionally, they also eat small crustaceans and worms. Their diet varies slightly depending on their habitat and the availability of food. This lizard is a carnivore, relying heavily on its environment’s biodiversity to meet its nutritional needs.

 

 

The Chinese Crocodile Lizard likes to eat bugs, small fish, and frogs. It has great eyesight to help it find food in the water and on land. Sometimes, it also eats small crabs and worms. What it eats depends on what it can find in its home. This lizard is a meat-eater and needs lots of different animals to stay healthy.

 

 

Breeding

Breeding for the Chinese Crocodile Lizard occurs once a year, typically during the rainy season when conditions are optimal for raising young. Females give birth to live young rather than laying eggs, with a gestation period of about four to five months. A litter can range from one to twelve offspring, depending on the female’s size and health. After birth, the mother does not provide care for the young, which are independent almost immediately. This species has relatively low reproductive rates, contributing to its endangered status.

 

 

Chinese Crocodile Lizards have babies once a year, usually when it’s rainy. The mother has live babies, not eggs, after about four to five months. She can have between one and twelve babies. After they are born, the babies can take care of themselves right away. They don’t have many babies, which is why there aren’t many of them left.

 

 

Habitat

The natural habitat of the Chinese Crocodile Lizard consists of subtropical forests with ample water sources such as streams and ponds. They thrive in cool, moist environments and are typically found at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,500 meters. These lizards are semi-aquatic and spend a significant amount of time in or near water. Dense vegetation provides them with cover and hunting grounds. Habitat destruction due to deforestation and agricultural expansion is a major threat to their survival.

 

Chinese Crocodile Lizards live in cool, wet forests with lots of water like streams and ponds. They like to be in places with lots of plants where they can hide and hunt. These lizards are often found in areas that are 200 to 1,500 meters above sea level. They spend a lot of time in or near water. Cutting down forests and farming are big problems for their homes.

 

 

At the zoo

In zoos, the Chinese Crocodile Lizard is kept in carefully controlled environments that mimic its natural habitat. These enclosures have plenty of water features, vegetation, and rocks to provide hiding spots and basking areas. Zookeepers maintain a specific diet and monitor health closely due to the species’ endangered status. Breeding programs in zoos are crucial for conservation efforts. These programs help increase population numbers and genetic diversity.

 

 

In zoos, Chinese Crocodile Lizards live in places that look like their natural homes. Their enclosures have lots of water, plants, and rocks to hide and sunbathe on. Zookeepers feed them special food and make sure they are healthy. Zoos also help these lizards have babies to keep their numbers up and make sure they don’t disappear.

 

 

Behaviour

Chinese Crocodile Lizards are relatively shy and reclusive, spending much of their time hiding among rocks and vegetation. They are semi-aquatic, often seen basking on branches or rocks near water. These lizards are primarily diurnal, being most active during the day. When threatened, they may drop into the water to escape predators. They are also known for their ability to remain motionless for extended periods, which helps them avoid detection.

Chinese Crocodile Lizards are shy and like to hide among rocks and plants. They spend a lot of time near water and like to sit on branches or rocks to get warm. They are most active during the day and can drop into the water to get away from danger. They can stay very still for a long time, which helps them hide from predators.

 

 

Fun facts

  • Ancient Relatives: The Chinese Crocodile Lizard is often called a “living fossil” because it has changed very little over millions of years.
  • Unique Defence: When scared, these lizards can play dead, lying still for hours to avoid predators.
  • Limited Range: They are only found in certain parts of China and Vietnam, making them very rare.
  • Cold Weather Adaptation: Unlike many reptiles, they can remain active in cooler temperatures, which is unusual for lizards.
  • Carnivorous Diet: They primarily eat meat, including insects, small fish, and amphibians, making them skilled hunters.
  • Ancient Relatives: The Chinese Crocodile Lizard is often called a “living fossil” because it has changed very little over millions of years.
  • Unique Defence: When scared, these lizards can play dead, lying still for hours to avoid predators.
  • Limited Range: They are only found in certain parts of China and Vietnam, making them very rare.
  • Cold Weather Adaptation: Unlike many reptiles, they can remain active in cooler temperatures, which is unusual for lizards.
  • Carnivorous Diet: They primarily eat meat, including insects, small fish, and amphibians, making them skilled hunters.

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