We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Reptiles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Crocodile Lizard?

Sara Schmidt
By
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 8,282
Share

Scientifically named Shinisaurus crocodilurus, the Chinese crocodile lizard is a semi-aquatic reptile. The lizard can be found in various provinces of China, including the Hunan, Guangxi Zhuang, and Guizhou areas. The lizard is typically gray-green or brown in color, with dark black and orange to rust-colored stripes.

Male Chinese crocodile lizards can grow up to 16 inches (41 centimeters) in length, while females are smaller. Plated scales make up the lizard's head, though the scales behind their eyes are rigid. Bead-like scales cover the lizard's body from neck to tail base. These lateral scales alternate with knobbier scales.

Crocodile lizards are named after their oval osteoderms, or bony scale deposits. Four rows of these deposits, coupled with two rows of scales across the body, give the creature a crocodile-like appearance. Male lizards are more colorful than females, featuring bright orange throats and flanks. Some male lizards even have bright coloration on their heads.

During the breeding season, coloration is more vibrant. The lizard's grayish skin turns a yellowy tan color. Sometimes it may even change to light orange. Baby crocodile lizards are uniform in color, typically dark brown across the body with a lighter, tan-colored face.

The crocodile lizard prefers to live in cool forests, spending much of its life in overhanging branches around shallow water. This makes it easy for the reptiles to hunt their prey, which includes an array of insects, fish, snails, and tadpoles. Solitary creatures, crocodile lizards typically live alone, with only one lizard per small pond.

Indigenous people refer to the crocodile lizard as the lizard of great sleepiness. This is because the lizard often exits the water to take a metabolic pause, or suspension of response to stimuli. This pause often takes place for hours, during which the lizard remains completely motionless. Due to this phenomenon, Chinese herbalists have used the lizard medicinally to cure insomnia for hundreds of years.

Along with many other small reptiles, the crocodile lizard is a popular pet. Other lizards as pets include the legless lizard, skink, agama lizard, gecko, bearded lizard, anole, Mexican lizard, snake lizard, and orange lizard. To care for a pet lizard, a clean tank, heat lamp, and plenty of food and water are needed. The semi-aquatic crocodile lizard requires a habitat with plenty of soil and dry land combined with water for swimming.

Lizard food for pets can include live protein, such as insects and worms, as well as store-bought, prepackaged food. Fresh vegetables can be offered for a variety of nutrients. Adult crocodile lizards need to consume at least ten percent of their body mass weekly, while young lizards require nearly 60 percent of their body mass. Females need 40 percent of their mass when bearing eggs.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Sara Schmidt
By Sara Schmidt
With a Master's Degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University, Sara Schmidt puts her expertise to use by writing for WiseGeek, plus various magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She published her own novella and has other literary projects in the works. Sara's diverse background includes teaching children in Spain, tutoring college students, running CPR and first aid classes, and organizing student retreats, reflecting her passion for education and community engagement.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
With a Master's Degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University, Sara Schmidt puts her expertise to use by writing for WiseGeek, plus various magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She published her own novella and has other literary projects in the works. Sara's diverse background includes teaching children in Spain, tutoring college students, running CPR and first aid classes, and organizing student retreats, reflecting her passion for education and community engagement.
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-crocodile-lizard.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.