About

The southern alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) is a common species of lizard native to the Pacific coast of North America. It ranges from Baja California to the state of Washington.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Anguidae
Subfamily: Gerrhonotinae
Genus: Elgaria
Species: Elgaria multicarinata

Three Southern Alligator Lizards observed by Xan Sonn on March 21, 2016

Physical Characteristics

Body Length: Snout to Vent Length is 7.8 to 18.4 cm (3.1 to 7.25 in)
Tail Length: Up to twice the body length

General: Slender, snake-like body, short legs, large head with strong jaws, and a distinctive, slightly forked tongue
Coloration: brown, gray, reddish or yellowish with dark vertical crossbars spotted with white

Other Facts:
– Little difference between the sexes
– Yellow eyes
– tongue slightly forked at tip, which aids in gathering air-borne scents

© Joe Miller, observed on May 29, 2018 · 2:19 PM PDT

Behavior

Activity Cycle: Its capacity for activity despite low body temperature is distinctive.
– Can be active (and grow and digest food) with body temperature as low as 11° C (52° F)

Diet: Carnivorous. Feed on wide variety of prey, anything they can catch and swallow; non-selective
– Commonly taken as prey: Insects and their larvae, especially ground beetles, grasshopper, crickets, ichneumon wasps; Frog tadpoles; etc.

Other Facts:
– A good swimmer; swim in serpentine manner rather than “dog-paddle” swimming.

Habitat

– Lives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, chaparral, forests, and even urban areas found in most habitat types, including urban areas (Stebbins and McGinnis, 2012). — Because it prefers areas with some moisture, urbanization, and its concomitant increase in available water due to yard irrigation may allow this species to colonize areas that were historically unsuitable.

 

Reference

Lemm, J. M. (2006). Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of the San Diego Region. California Natural History Guides. Berkley, CA: University of California Press.

Stebbins, R. C., and McGinnis, S. M. (2012). Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of California: Revised Edition. California Natural History Guides. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.