The rare lizard has a crocodile shape

The lizard animals, but with the shape of crocodiles are on the brink of extinction, Vietnam only has 100-150 individuals in the wild.

Vietnamese scientists are calling for the conservation of crocodile lizards, the scientific name Shinisaurus crocodilurus , as the number decreases, from tens of thousands to more than 100 individuals in the wild after a century.Me Linh Biodiversity Station (Vinh Phuc) is caring and multiplying this species.

Previously crocodile lizards only recorded in southern China and recently found in northeastern Vietnam.The body length is about 150-160 mm, the tail is 171-210 mm long, the head is short and the upper jaw is beveled.They have many rough nodules, sharp clawed legs, gray-brown backs, long tails with vertical barbed lines.

The main threat of the species is the loss of habitat due to slash and burn cultivation, coal mining and forest fires.They can only exist in the form of rocky stream habitats with clean water in unaffected green forests.Besides, the number of species is decreasing due to excessive hunting by humans for the purpose of breeding.(Photo: Thomas Ziegler)

Although they are rare species, according to experts from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, they are rarely studied.On the market and social networks this species has the time to sell prices up to 2,000 US dollars.(Photo: Thomas Ziegler).

Lizard crocodile has good climbing ability but likes to live under water.What is special about them is that many people are surprised by the possession of crocodile appearance, with rough skin, long tail with two rows of rafters that are hidden under the water like crocodiles and the ability to swim without losing. poor aquatic species.This is also a unique point that makes buying demand to make people's scenes more and more increasing.

In order to preserve the above special species, Me Linh Biodiversity Station , belonging to the Institute of Ecology and Resources of living organisms.The first generation was successful and hoped to maintain the species' population in the context of artificial captivity, providing seed sources to serve the natural re-release program.(Photo: Thomas Ziegler).

According to the staff at this Station, crocodile lizards are thermal animals so it is not easy to raise, pay attention to the temperature in the barn regularly.They mainly eat insects, earthworms.

This species has been proposed by the European Community (EU), Vietnam and China to upgrade from Appendix II to Annex I due to the small number of fish shown.Me Linh biodiversity station said that in the world, this species is only about 1,000 in China.In Vietnam, there are over 100 children living in Yen Tu forest area of ​​Bac Giang and Quang Ninh provinces.