{{Short description|Genus of lizards}} {{speciesbox | name = Crocodile tegu | image = Crocodilurus amazonicus Schinz.JPG | image_caption = Artist's historical rendition. | image2 = | image2_caption = ''Crocodilurus amazonicus''. | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite journal |author=Martins, M. |author-link=species:Marcio Martins |date=2010 |title=''Crocodilurus amazonicus'' |journal=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |volume=2010 |page=e.T178328A7524182 |publisher=IUCN |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T178328A7524182.en |url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/178328/0 |access-date=14 January 2018|doi-access=free}}</ref> | status2 = CITES_A2 | status2_system = CITES | status2_ref = <ref>{{cite Species+ |id=4712 |title=''Crocodilurus amazonicus'' (Spix, 1825) |access-date=25 October 2025}}</ref>

| genus = Crocodilurus | parent_authority = Spix, 1825<ref name="HUG">{{harvp|Harvey|Ugueto|Gutberlet|2012|pp=133,134}}</ref> | species = amazonicus | authority = Spix, 1825<ref>{{harvp|de&nbsp;Massary|Hoogmoed|2001}}</ref> }}

'''''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.<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=Martins-2006/>

==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.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

==Distribution== ''C. amazonicus'' is found in the Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield in South America.<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=Martins-2006/>

==Diet== ''C. amazonicus'' preys upon arthropods, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=Martins-2006>{{cite journal |author=Martins, M. |year=2006 |title=Life in the water: Ecology of the ''jacarerana'' lizard, ''Crocodilurus amazonicus'' |journal=Herpetological Journal |volume=16 |pages=171–177}}</ref> [[File:Crocodilurus amazonicus 204896457 (cropped).jpg|center|frameless|659x659px|Amazonas, Brazil]]

==References== {{reflist|25em}}

==Further reading== * {{cite journal |author=Avila-Pires, T.C.S. |author-link=species:Teresa Cristina Sauer de Ávila-Pires |year=1995 |title=Lizards of Brazilian Amazonia (Reptilia: Squamata) |journal=Zoologische Verhandelingen |volume=299 |pages=1–706}} * {{cite journal |last1=Harvey |first1=M.B. |author1-link=Michael Brown Harvey |last2=Ugueto |first2=G.N. |author2-link=Gabriel N. Ugueto |last3=Gutberlet |first3=R.L., Jr. |author3-link=Ronald Louis Gutberlet Jr. |year=2012 |title=Review of Teiid morphology with a revised taxonomy and phylogeny of the Teiidae (Lepidosauria: Squamata) |journal=Zootaxa |volume=3459 |pages=1–156}} * {{cite journal |last1=de&nbsp;Massary |first1=J.C. |author1-link=species:Jean-Cristophe de Massary |last2=Hoogmoed |first2=M.S. |author2-link=species:Marinus Steven Hoogmoed |year=2001 |title=''Crocodilurus amazonicus'' {{small|(Spix, 1825)}}: The valid name for ''Crocodilurus lacertinus auctorum'' {{small|(nec Daudin, 1802)}} (Squamata: Teiidae) |journal=Journal of Herpetology |volume=35 |issue=2 |pages=353–357}} * {{cite book |last=von&nbsp;Spix |first=J.B. |author-link=Johann Baptist von Spix |year=1825 |title=Animalia nova sive species nova lacertarum quas in itinere per Brasiliam annis MDCCCXVII–MDCCCXX jussu et auspicius Maximiliani Josephi&nbsp;I Bavariae Regis suscepto collegit et descripsit Dr.&nbsp;J.B. de&nbsp;Spix |language=la |others=Lipsiae (Leipzig): T.O. Weigel |publisher=Monachii (Munich): F.S. Hübschmanni |url=https://archive.org/details/animalianovasive1825spix}} 4 unnumbered pages + 26 pp. + Plates I–XXVII. (''Crocodilurus'', new genus, p. 19; ''C. amazonicus'', new species, pp. 19–20 + Plate XXI) — original description.

==External links== {{Wikispecies-inline}} *{{eol|35562}}

{{Taxonbar|from1=Q14177459|from2=Q2698731}}

Category:Teiidae Category:Monotypic lizard genera Category:Lizards of Brazil Category:Reptiles of Colombia Category:Reptiles of French Guiana Category:Reptiles of Peru Category:Reptiles of Venezuela Category:Taxa named by Johann Baptist von Spix Category:Reptiles described in 1825

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