Chinese crocodile lizard  (Shinisaurus crocodilurus)

Description

The Chinese crocodile lizard is so named for the appearance of its tail, which has an enlarged pair of scales running in two sharply protruding ridges down its length like a crocodile (4). Like the distant relative after which it is named, this lizard is semi-aquatic, and its extremely powerful tail helps make it a strong swimmer (5). Colouration is highly variable, combining shades of grey and brown on the upper surface and yellowish-tan on the lower with distinctive bright orange markings (6) (7). Males are sometimes more colourful than females, often being strikingly adorned with brilliant orange sides and throat, occasionally extending into the side of the head, with these bright colours intensifying during the breeding season (6).

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