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Animal Guide

Crocodile Lizard

28 destinations · 21 states

Native Range
Southern China and northern Vietnam

The crocodile lizard looks like a miniature relic from another era, with a rough, ridged body and a tail that gives it a distinctly crocodilian profile. Unlike many lizards that spend their time basking in open spaces, this species is closely associated with cool, humid forest streams and spends much of its time around water. Watch closely and you may see one perched on a branch above a pool, then slip into the water when startled. Its diet includes insects, worms, small fish, tadpoles, and other small prey, so an individual may spend time sitting quietly before making a quick grab. Crocodile lizards are also known for their unusual ability to remain underwater for extended periods, using the cool streams as both shelter and hunting grounds. Their slow, deliberate movements can make them easy to overlook at first. A closer look reveals the armored-looking scales, strong claws, and expressive eyes that give this rare lizard its distinctive character.

Crocodile Lizard

Where to see Crocodile Lizard

28 destinations across 21 states

28 destinations

Bronx Zoo

Bronx, NY

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa, FL

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Cincinnati, OH

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Powell, OH

Dakota Zoo

Bismarck, ND

Denver Zoo

Denver, CO

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Lake Buena Vista, FL

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange, NJ

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Fresno, CA

Gladys Porter Zoo

Brownsville, TX

Greenville Zoo

Greenville, SC

Little Rock Zoo

Little Rock, AR

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN

Mesker Park Zoo

Evansville, IN

Newport Aquarium

Newport, KY

Philadelphia Zoo

Philadelphia, PA

Prospect Park Zoo

Brooklyn, NY

Saint Louis Zoo

St. Louis, MO

San Diego Zoo

San Diego, CA

San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco, CA

Sedgwick County Zoo

Wichita, KS

Shedd Aquarium

Chicago, IL

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Washington, DC

Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, TN

Tulsa Zoo

Tulsa, OK

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia Zoo

Norfolk, VA

Zoo Knoxville

Knoxville, TN

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