The Xenosauridae consist of the Central American genus Xenosaurus and of two fossil North American genera, Exostinus and Restes , which are very close to Xenosaurus. The status of the Chinese genus Shinisaurus is not completely clear. However, Macey et al. Xenosaurids are rock-dwelling lizards.
All species are diurnal and viviparous.
Shinisaurus is special in that it is semi-aquatic and is known to feed on tadpoles and fish. Click on genus to get a list of species. A review of the American lizards of the genus Xenosaurus Peters. Molecular phylognetics, tRNA evolution, and historical biogeoraphy in anguid lizards and realted taxonomic families.