Shinisaurus crocodilurus

From the mountain region of Kwangsi, in South West China. This lizard is the only member of the Shinisauridae family.

As its name says: "Shin's lizard with a crocodile tail" (Dr. Shin discovered it), this saurian has a medium size (30-40 cm, 11 to 15 in.) and looks like a miniature crocodile, apart from the head which is rounded and its small eyes are circled with rounded scales. This lizard is diurnal and semi aquatic, in the nature it lives in small rivers and on branches above the rivers. It hibernates from November to March and can get out of its sleep if the day is sunny. Shinisaurus crocodilurus must be maintained at temperate temperatures. The water pond allows him to regulate his inner temperature, creating a kind of micro climate when temperature is too high. In captivity it can be fed with insects, earth worms and small fish. It is difficult to sex individuals.

We have a group of juveniles. We don't be thinking of selling possible offspring, except to experienced breeders because Shinisaurus is considered as very threatened in its natural habitat. About a population census of 1990, the number of crocodile lizards was estimated at 2500. It is classed on annexe B of CITES.