New Zealand, an isolated island country, often has endemic creatures on its magical land that are not available in other countries and regions.

Nowadays, countries like to give their own species the identity of living fossils, such as the Chinese national treasure giant panda, the Australian six-gill shark, and the American Metasequoia.

In this case, New Zealand cannot fall behind, they also have living fossils, that is, crocodile lizards.

The crocodile lizard is one of the most endangered protected species in New Zealand. Its English name is r, which comes from Maori, meaning "a mountain carrying a mountain on the back". The Chinese name is the chinding lizard, because its special structure of teeth is also called the chinding lizard, but New Zealanders like to call it the New Zealand crocodile lizard.

This name is not only simple and down-to-earth, but also reflects its place of origin at a glance.

The New Zealand crocodile lizard is a unique breed in New Zealand. It has not evolved since the Triassic period. It is a relatively primitive lizard and is also a reptile like a living fossil.

On today's earth, New Zealand crocodile lizards have no relatives, but 200 million years ago, they had many relatives and friends, but unfortunately they were the only one left to live to this day.

Wang Bo has only seen this creature in TV introductions, and has not seen it in reality. After receiving a call from Professor Sandra, he hurried over.

Lincoln University is under intense construction, and many buildings are now laying foundations, while the experimental area mainly breeds crops, so there are no high-rise buildings and no foundations are needed. This was first built.

The so-called experimental area is a fenced grassland with color steel tile houses and board houses, which are very simple.

On the way to drive, Wang Bo remembered an academic heart he had drawn before. This heart has never been used. He didn't know how to use it. Now there is a school in the town. Is it used it in the school?

Thinking of this, he opened the sand table and found the location of Lincoln University and put his academic heart on it.

As a result, this light green crystal heart that cannot be used elsewhere was integrated into it.

This heart is prepared for the school, but Wang Bo did not expect elementary and middle schools before, so it has never been useful, and it is considered a mistake.

When we arrived at the experimental area, this area was closed and blocked by an electric iron fence. The security guard came out to check his identity before opening the door and letting him in.

Professor Sandra was waiting for him in front of a large colored steel tile house of 200 square meters, and waved when he saw him.

Wang Bo entered the house and saw that many places of this colored steel tile house were renovated, imitating it as islands and reefs. There were many reefs scattered on the ground, and some crocodile lizards were crawling.

These crocodile lizards have similar appearance to ordinary lizards, but their mouths are relatively long, and they look a bit like a crocodile on their heads. Obviously, this is the source of their name.

The bodies of the crocodile lizards on the reef are different in color, appearing gray, brown, green, etc., and their sizes are also different. The larger ones can reach 80 cm from the head to the tip of the tail.

However, compared to the majestic umbrella lizards in the stadium, they are still relatively small, and even those with large sizes are estimated to weigh no more than 1 kilogram.

When they saw Wang Bo, these crocodile lizards became alert, and then they ran to the nearby cracks of the reef to hide. Some of them could not find a place to hide, and they were holding their heads up and moving as if they were throwing out a broken can.

But slowly, something interesting happened. The skin color of these crocodile lizards changed, and they became more and more similar to the surrounding rocks. Another one looked very similar to the kelp around them, turning green and brown.

Seeing this, Wang Bo said in surprise: "Will they change color?"

Professor Sandra smiled and said, "So, many people outside think that chameleons are their fellow brothers. They can also match their own colors according to the environment, but the speed of change is far from that of the chameleon."

Looking at these little guys with interest, Wang Bo asked, "Who are you calling me?"

Professor Sandra was excited and said, "That's right. These crocodile lizards are from Tompxun Island. There is a rat disaster on that island, which seriously threatens the lives of these poor little guys, so they need to find a home for them again."

Crocodile lizards currently live on many islands in New Zealand because they are far away from humans and natural enemies. However, since some of the New Zealand Crocodile lizards' habitats are mainly large mice, their survival is worrying.

Since the end of the 19th century, they have been included in the New Zealand government's list of protected animals, which shows how precious they are. At that time, many countries were not even protected by law.

Wang Bo laughed and said, "Are they still afraid of mice? Their names are with crocodiles."

Speaking of which, crocodile lizards are indeed not a good person. When bullying something smaller than themselves, they are very capable.

The food of crocodile lizards includes young birds, eggs, beetles, crickets, spiders, frogs, and even cubs of the same kind. Therefore, many crocodile lizards dare not appear next to adult individuals when they are young, but hide quietly in cracks of stones or shelter to avoid being eaten by other crocodile lizards.

But when encountering an opponent who is bigger or more cruel than you, you will be blind. The mice move too fast and their teeth are too sharp. They often like to go out in groups. When the crocodile lizard encounters it, they will join them for their luxurious lunch and dinner.

Professor Sandra introduced him and said, "Many of this group of crocodile lizards are old guys. They can't even escape when facing mice, so they have to protect them."

Wang Bo asked: "I said on TV that the lifespan of a crocodile lizard is relatively long, right?"

Professor Sandra nodded and said, "Yes, they will take about 20 years to reach maturity, which is later than humans."

"In addition, they can grow taller and stronger after less than 40 years old. Their average life expectancy is at least 60 years old, and in this group, according to our research, at least five live to over 100 years old."

"At such an old age?" Wang Bo exclaimed.

Professor Sandra nodded: "Yes, this is not uncommon. If you are not troubled by natural enemies and food shortages in captivity, the crocodile lizard may be able to live 200 years old."

Adult New Zealand crocodile lizards molt at least once a year. Like other cold-blooded animals, they will grow a little bit after molting.

Professor Sandra told Wang Bo that it is a pity that the growth genes of the crocodile lizards are restricted to death, otherwise they could grow into Godzilla's.

Of course, if they really grew so big, they would not have survived. The crocodile lizards could be preserved to this day, which is inseparable from their small appetite.

Wang Bo heard what he meant inside and outside and smiled, "I don't care how much they can eat, but I don't know where is suitable for raising them in Sunset Town."
Chapter completed!