A close-up view of the alligator lizard species in Vietnam, which has been present since the time of the dinosaurs ( Video : Khanh Vi - Vu Thanh Binh).
According to the Vietnamese Red List, the crocodile lizard distributed in Vietnam has the scientific name Shinisaurus crocodilurus vietnamensis, and was recorded in the lowland mountain forest area of Northeast Vietnam (Bac Ninh and Quang Ninh) in 2003.
The habitat of the crocodile lizard is being fragmented and degraded due to logging, coal mining, and forest encroachment, leading to a significant decline in its population in Vietnam.
This brightly colored reptile is not a crocodile, but a species of lizard with thick scales and distinctive patterns similar to those of a crocodile.
Alligator gar has a grayish-brown body and a yellowish-brown belly, distinguished by red or orange scales running along its sides. Males are typically larger and more brightly colored than females, creating a unique appearance rarely seen in the reptile world .
Crocodile lizards mainly live in evergreen forests on rocky or earthen mountains, on tree branches along streams.
This species is a nimble climber but prefers aquatic environments; its prey consists of insects, earthworms, and spiders.
According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong, a specialist at the Me Linh Biodiversity Center, the center has created habitats that closely resemble their natural environment to provide a comfortable environment for these animals.
Besides the rare alligator lizard, the center also preserves many endemic species of eyelid geckos of Vietnam, a group of reptiles facing extinction in the wild.
The Hữu Liên gecko was discovered in the limestone mountainous region of Hữu Lũng district, Lạng Sơn province, at an altitude of 300–400m.
With a body length of 108–117 mm, a dark brown back, a cream or yellow-orange stripe behind the nape, and 3-4 distinct stripes along the body and tail, this species has a distinctive and striking appearance in the wild.
This species is facing a major threat due to its very limited distribution and illegal hunting for the pet trade.
The Vietnamese newt (Tylototriton vietnamensis) was first recorded by scientists in 2005. This is an endemic amphibian species, living only in humid mountainous forests in northern Vietnam, mainly in Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh, and Lang Son provinces.
The Vietnamese moss frog (Theloderma corticale) is considered one of the world's most unusual and unique amphibians.
With their rough, moss-green and earthy brown skin, they almost "disappear" into the damp mossy rocks where they live.
It is thanks to this perfect camouflage ability that moss frogs avoid predators and adapt to the humid mountain forest environment.
This endemic frog species is currently only recorded in a few forests in northern Vietnam. Although it possesses a unique appearance that attracts international researchers and collectors of exotic animals, the number of moss frogs in the wild is declining due to habitat loss and illegal hunting.
The Ryabovi warty tree frog is a species found only in Vietnam, currently only recorded in Quang Ngai province, mainly inhabiting humid evergreen tropical forests in high mountains, where there is high humidity and dense vegetation.
This species is commonly found in tree hollows containing water, at a height of approximately 4 meters above the ground.
The giant land turtle (Heosemys grandis) is one of the largest freshwater turtle species still existing in Vietnam, weighing up to 30–35 kg and with a carapace length that can reach 40 cm. This species has a distinctive appearance with a high carapace, a dorsal ridge, and a clearly serrated posterior edge.
The plumage is usually dark brown, while the breast is yellow or light brown, dotted with distinctive black streaks.
Large land turtles typically inhabit ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or swamps with slow-flowing water at various elevations. They are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, fruits, and small animals, and are particularly fond of ripe bananas when kept in captivity. Their breeding season lasts from December to January of the following year.
This is one of nearly 100 individual turtles of various species being cared for and conserved at the Me Linh Biodiversity Center.
Besides researching and conserving endemic animal species, the center also focuses on building a system of specimen cabinets to support scientific research.
Tours and learning experiences about protected animal species help participants better understand the characteristics and behaviors of each species, while also raising awareness of the meaning and importance of nature conservation.
In addition, visitors can learn about the ecological role of each tree species in the forest ecosystem, and are guided on how to identify, classify, and preserve plant specimens for research and study.
According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, homeroom teacher of the 10th grade Biology class at the High School affiliated with the University of Education, the field trip was an extracurricular activity organized by him and parents to help students experience and reinforce their knowledge of biodiversity.
"When children are immersed in nature, observing wildlife firsthand and breathing the fresh forest air, the knowledge from textbooks becomes more vivid than ever," Mr. Cong shared.
Performed by: Vu Thanh Binh
Dantri.com.vn
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/can-canh-loai-than-lan-ca-sau-o-viet-nam-co-mat-tu-thoi-khung-long-20251031170831231.htm
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