Knob-Scaled Lizards: Xenosauridae

Most knob-scaled lizards live in the mountains. Some species make their homes in cool cloud forests, while others prefer drier climates and live in hot, shrubby areas. In both cases, the knob-scaled lizards take advantage of their flattened shape and seek out cracks and holes in rocks and bark and other hiding places, where they spend much of their lives.

At one time, scientists included the Chinese crocodile lizard in this family. This lizard is now in its own family. Unlike the knob-scaled lizards, the Chinese crocodile lizard lives most of its life in or near shallow forest ponds, where it eats tadpoles and fishes.