Let's take a brief look at the alligator lizard.

I. Basic information

【Chinese name】crocodile lizard

【Latin name】Shinisaurus crocodilurus

【Alias】Water Gecko

【Kingdom】Animal Kingdom

【Domain】Chordates

【Subphylum】Vertebrate Subphylum

[Class] Reptiles

[Order] Squamata

[Suborder] Lizardia

[Family] Crocodile Lizardidae

[genus] crocodile lizard

[species] crocodile lizard

II. Morphological characteristics

1. Body size: The body length of the crocodile lizard is 15-30 cm, the tail length is about 23 cm, and the weight is 50-100 grams.

2. Features: The head of the crocodile lizard is higher, and the head and body shape are similar to those of the lizard. The part below the neck, especially the laterally flat tail, has both crest-like scales and many The black wide horizontal stripes are very similar to alligators, so they are called crocodile lizards.

3. Body color: The whole body of the crocodile lizard is olive brown, the side is lighter, dyed with pink or orange and mixed with black spots, there are dark horizontal stripes from the back to the end of the tail, and the ventral surface is Creamy white with pink or orange edges.

III. Living habits

1. Habitat: Crocodile lizards live in valleys below 760 meters above sea level, usually puddles with small streams.

2. Diet: Alligator lizards feed on tadpoles, frogs, small fish, worms and insects.

IV. Protection level

The crocodile lizard is a national first-class wild protected animal.

It has been included in the 2014 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ver3.1 - Endangered (EN).

 It has been included in the Washington Convention CITES II protected animals.