Monstrous 'crocodile hybrid lizard' in Yen Tu

This strange creature climbs as well as lizards, but likes to live underwater and shaped like a crocodile .

>>>Discover new lizard species in Vietnam

Yen Tu mountain range (Quang Ninh province) is famous for its sacredness and beautiful scenery of primeval forests. This is also the place of a strange animal, which can startle many people when caught. This animal is called crocodile lizard. As their name suggests, they are a perfect combination of incredible lizards and crocodiles, two species with huge differences in size, appearance, lifestyle .

This 'monster' species is similar to the lizard in that they are quite small in size (the length of the body and the tail is just over 30cm), the ability to move flexibly, climb trees very well. Scientifically, they are also classified as lizards.

Crocodile lizard possesses an appearance that looks like crocodile with rough skin, livid .

On the other hand, they own a appearance that looks like a crocodile with a lumpy skin, livid, especially a long tail with two jagged rows of thorns. They also like to live in the water, with excellent diving and snorkeling capabilities and a kind of hunting hidden under water like crocodiles.

Scientists assess crocodile lizards are very rare and less studied reptiles. In the world, they only appear in some forests of Hunan, Guangxi and Guizhou provinces of China. In Vietnam, this species was discovered in Yen Tu mountain range.

Currently, their existence in nature is threatened by narrow forest areas, polluted habitats as well as being hunted for sale to reptile collectors.

Here are some general pictures of the 'crocodile hybrid lizard':

Especially the long tail with two jagged rows of thorns.

Like crocodiles, they are semi-shallow, half-water animals.

If caught in a stream, many people will mistakenly think they are baby crocodiles.

Short and round faces are the highlight to realize they're not crocodiles.

They also do not have the death of the river assassins.

Pressing under the water is a similar hunting tactic to crocodiles.

Small animals are the favorite food of crocodile lizards.

Their "lizard properties" are expressed in the ability to move flexibly, climbing trees very well.

Currently, the existence of crocodile lizards is facing many threats.