| Shinisauridae is a monotypic family following Macey et al. (1999, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 12:250-272) that contains the Chinese Crocodile Lizard, Shinisaurus crocodilurus Ahl, 1930. The species is restricted to Guangxi Province, China and northeastern Vietnam. It lives in the dense vegetation along rivers and streams between 500-700 m in elevation, where it can be seen basking. It doesn't hesitate to escape into the water when disturbed and it can stay under water for at least 30 minutes. Its diet includes aquatic invertebrates (worms, crustaceans and mollusks) as well as tadpoles, frogs, and fish. Shinisaurus hibernates 3-4 months of the year (November to March). Females gives birth to 2-8 young in April-May, and the neonates are 10-15 cm long and weigh about 4 grams. |
