The Chinese crocodile lizard gets its name from the two rows of scales running along its tail, which resemble those of a crocodile. The species was first discovered in China in 1930 and was long believed to live only there. However, in 2003 small populations were also found in Vietnam.
The crocodile lizard is an endangered species facing a high risk of extinction. Fewer than 1,000 individuals are thought to remain in the wild, with only about 150 of these living in Vietnam. The species is threatened mainly by illegal capture for the pet trade.
EAZA (the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) is part of a coordinated effort to protect the species in the wild, contributing through breeding programmes that aim to reintroduce crocodile lizards to their natural habitats.