Chinese crocodile lizard — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Chinese crocodile lizard — origin: Southern China (Guangxi, Guangdong) and northeastern Vietnam. Endemic to cool, shaded mountain streams and forest ponds at low altitude..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min15 °C

Cool side18–22 °C

Warm side22–26 °C

A COOL-CLIMATE SPECIES: never exceed ~26 °C; above ~28-30 °C, hyperthermia and death occur quickly. No powerful basking spot is necessary or desirable. In summer, active cooling of the room may be required. Cool nights are beneficial. A winter rest (brumation) of 2-3 months at around 10-16 °C promotes longevity and breeding. The water must stay cool.

Enclosure (adult)

90 × 45 × 50 cm

Paludarium (planted terrestrial section + large water area, with branches overhanging the water)

Minimum for 1 individual or a pair; plan larger for a group. Essential: a large water surface (at least 40-50% of the floor) and horizontal branches/perches above the water where the animal rests. Ventilated lid but maintaining high humidity. Hides on land and underwater. Avoid housing males together (territoriality, biting).

Humidity

70–90 %

High and stable humidity; daily misting, live plants and a large water surface all contribute. Good ventilation nonetheless, to avoid stagnant water and skin infections.

Substrate

Coconut fibreSphagnum moss (Sphagnum)Fertiliser- and pesticide-free potting soil/peatLeaf litterLive mosses

A bioactive-type terrestrial section that retains moisture, complemented by a large water area. Avoid fine, ingestible substrates near the feeding areas. Rigorous cleaning, as the animal defecates mainly in the water.

UVB

Recommended

Low to moderate UVB is beneficial (5-6% tube, UVI ~1-2 in the exposed area) with large shaded areas being essential. An understory species: avoid high intensities and any source producing excessive heat.

Water source

Always available

A crucial point: a large volume of clean, COOL (18-24 °C), dechlorinated and well-filtered water, renewed regularly. The animal spends a lot of time in it, hunts and defecates there; warm or soiled water quickly causes skin and respiratory infections. Provide easy access to leave the water and perches above it.

Origin

Shinisauridae

Southern China (Guangxi, Guangdong) and northeastern Vietnam. Endemic to cool, shaded mountain streams and forest ponds at low altitude.

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore (insectivore/vermivore, aquatic hunter) — Earthworms, snails and slugs, small fish (occasionally), aquatic invertebrates, insects (crickets, roaches, worms). Eats no plant matter.

Readily hunts in the water. Live, varied prey; calcium/vitamin supplement (including moderate D3) on the insects. Feed 2-4 times a week depending on age and temperature; reduce sharply during the winter rest. Do not overfeed (slow metabolism).

Breeding

Viviparous

Mating generally follows a cool winter rest (2-3 months at 10-16 °C); births in spring/early summer after several months of gestation. Young are independent at birth and should be raised separately (cool conditions, humidity and suitable prey). No egg-laying.

Health watch points

Hyperthermia / heat stress (a frequent cause of death above ~28 °C)
Bacterial skin infections and 'blister disease' linked to soiled or overly warm water
Respiratory infections (heat, poor ventilation, stress)
Internal parasitosis, especially in wild-caught individuals
Anorexia and weight loss caused by stress or unsuitable temperature

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Chinese crocodile lizard.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the chinese crocodile lizard.

What size does the Chinese crocodile lizard reach as an adult?▾

The Chinese crocodile lizard typically measures between 35 and 45 cm in total length, tail included. This thick tail, fitted with a double row of keeled scales, is reminiscent of a miniature crocodile's. Males are often distinguished by a bright red or orange throat and flanks, more pronounced than in females.

Why is it said to be a cool-climate species?▾

Unlike most lizards, the Shinisaurus does not tolerate heat: the cool zone lies between 18 and 22°C and the warmest zone must never exceed 26°C. Above 28-30°C, the animal can die of hyperthermia within a short time, so no powerful basking spot should be installed. In summer, actively cooling the room may even prove necessary.

How do you set up a paludarium for this semi-aquatic species?▾

It needs a tank of at least 90x45x50 cm for one animal or a pair, combining a planted land section and a large water area covering at least 40 to 50% of the floor. Horizontal branches should overhang the water to let it perch, with hides on land and underwater. It is better not to house two males together, as they are territorial and may bite each other.

What role does water play in its daily life?▾

Water is absolutely central for this species: the lizard hunts in it, readily immerses itself and defecates in it most of the time. It therefore needs a large volume of clean, cool water, between 18 and 24°C, dechlorinated and well filtered, renewed regularly, failing which skin and respiratory infections quickly appear. Also provide easy access to get out of the water and perches just above it.

What does it feed on and how often?▾

It is a carnivorous hunter, essentially worm- and insect-eating: earthworms, snails, slugs, various insects and, occasionally, small fish, often caught directly in the water. It does not touch any plant matter. Two to four meals a week are enough depending on age and temperature, with a moderate calcium/D3 supplement on the insects, and intake must be greatly reduced during the winter rest.

What UVB lighting should be chosen?▾

A low to moderate UVB suits it well, such as a 5-6% tube providing a UVI of about 1 to 2 in the most exposed area. This species lives in the understorey and needs large shaded areas: it is better to avoid tubes that are too strong or any source that would add unnecessary heat.

What humidity should be maintained and with what substrate?▾

Humidity must stay high and stable, between 70 and 90%, thanks to daily misting, live plants and the tank's large water surface. A bioactive substrate based on coconut fibre, sphagnum, untreated soil and leaf litter retains this moisture well, while keeping good ventilation to avoid stagnant water and skin problems.

What is its lifespan and what commitment does that represent?▾

A Shinisaurus commonly lives 10 to 15 years, and can reach around 20 years under good conditions: a stable cool environment, quality water and a respected winter rest. It is therefore a commitment of several years to anticipate before acquisition.

How does it behave and can it be handled easily?▾

It is a sedentary and cryptic animal, able to remain completely motionless for hours, often perched above the water or submerged. It is not particularly skittish but may bite or drop into the water if restrained, so it is best to keep handling to the strict minimum to avoid stressing it.

How does the Chinese crocodile lizard reproduce?▾

The species is viviparous: the female gives birth to 2 to 12 fully formed young, without laying eggs. Mating generally follows a cool winter rest of 2 to 3 months at 10-16°C, and births occur in spring or early summer. The young are independent from birth but must be raised separately, under suitably cool and humid conditions.

What health problems should be watched for?▾

The main risk remains hyperthermia above about 28°C, often rapidly fatal. Water that is too warm or soiled also encourages bacterial skin infections and respiratory infections, while wild-origin specimens frequently carry internal parasites. A stressed or poorly thermoregulating animal may also show loss of appetite and weight loss.

Is this lizard suitable for a beginner keeper?▾

The Shinisaurus crocodilurus is rather considered an intermediate-level species: its needs are not extreme but are very specific, notably the strict maintenance of a cool environment and impeccable water. It is therefore better suited to a keeper who already has some experience with paludariums than to a very first reptile.

Track your chinese crocodile lizard on ReptiNode

Create a free tracking log: weight, meals, sheds, health record, QR codes and breeding projects — with the built-in genetics calculator for over 200 species.

Create a free account