| Crocodile tegu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Artist's historical rendition. | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Teiidae |
| Genus: | Crocodilurus Spix, 18254 |
| Species: | C. amazonicus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Crocodilurus amazonicus | |
Crocodilurus is a monotypic lizard genus consisting of one species, Crocodilurus amazonicus, belonging to the family Teiidae (tegus, ameivas and whiptails). Its common name is the crocodile tegu, due to its appearance and fondness for water, and is locally known as the jacarerana. This semi-aquatic, predatory lizard has a flattened, paddle-like tail, enabling it to swim with ease.15
Figurative name
The crocodile tegu has no close relation to crocodilians. The name Crocodilurus amazonicus ("Amazonian little crocodile") is only an analogy: It is a predatory reptile well adapted to living and hunting in water.
Distribution
C. amazonicus is found in the Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield in South America.15
Diet
C. amazonicus preys upon arthropods, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.15
References
References
- Martins, M. (2010). "Crocodilurus amazonicus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010. IUCN: e.T178328A7524182. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T178328A7524182.en. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- "Crocodilurus amazonicus (Spix, 1825)". Species+. UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- de Massary & Hoogmoed (2001)
- Harvey, Ugueto & Gutberlet (2012), pp. 133, 134
- Martins, M. (2006). "Life in the water: Ecology of the jacarerana lizard, Crocodilurus amazonicus". Herpetological Journal. 16: 171–177.
Further reading
Further reading
- Avila-Pires, T.C.S. (1995). "Lizards of Brazilian Amazonia (Reptilia: Squamata)". Zoologische Verhandelingen. 299: 1–706.
- Harvey, M.B.; Ugueto, G.N.; Gutberlet, R.L., Jr. (2012). "Review of Teiid morphology with a revised taxonomy and phylogeny of the Teiidae (Lepidosauria: Squamata)". Zootaxa. 3459: 1–156.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - de Massary, J.C.; Hoogmoed, M.S. (2001). "Crocodilurus amazonicus (Spix, 1825): The valid name for Crocodilurus lacertinus auctorum (nec Daudin, 1802) (Squamata: Teiidae)". Journal of Herpetology. 35 (2): 353–357.
- von Spix, J.B. (1825). Animalia nova sive species nova lacertarum quas in itinere per Brasiliam annis MDCCCXVII–MDCCCXX jussu et auspicius Maximiliani Josephi I Bavariae Regis suscepto collegit et descripsit Dr. J.B. de Spix (in Latin). Lipsiae (Leipzig): T.O. Weigel. Monachii (Munich): F.S. Hübschmanni. 4 unnumbered pages + 26 pp. + Plates I–XXVII. (Crocodilurus, new genus, p. 19; C. amazonicus, new species, pp. 19–20 + Plate XXI) — original description.