A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

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Identifying Alligator Lizards in California

(And the West Coast of North America)

Alligator lizards are found in almost any natural habitat in California (except most of the deserts and very high elevations.) They can be fairly large in size. Active during daylight, they are frequently seen moving on the ground, and occasionally up in bushes. They are also often found underneath debris, beach driftwood, and near human settlements. Alligator lizards do not typically bask in the sun out in the open or on top of a rock like many other lizard species. They seem to prefer sunny spots with some cover nearby. This is a lizard that is often seen in yards and garages in Southern California. Some characteristics of Alligator Lizards:

Large scales	Long alligator-like snout	Longitudinal folds on the lower sides of the body

Large belly scales with dark markings on or inbetween the scales.	Juveniles do not look like adults	The small legs are sometimes pulled up against the sides which makes them hard to see and can make a lizard appear to be a snake.
Three species of Alligator Lizards can be found in California: * The Southern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria multicarinata (found throughout the state) Two subspecies are recognized: 1. Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - Forest Alligator Lizard (California Alligator Lizard) 2. Elgaria multicarinata webbii - Woodland Alligator Lizard (San Diego Alligator Lizard) * The Northern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria coerulea (found only from the Monterey Bay north, and in the Sierra Nevada mountains.) Four subspecies are recognized: 1. Elgaria coerulea coerulea - San Francisco Alligator Lizard 2. Elgaria coerulea palmeri - Sierra Alligator Lizard 3. Elgaria coerulea principis - Northwestern Alligator Lizard 4. Elgaria coerulea shastensis - Shasta Alligator Lizard * The Panamint Alligator Lizard - Elgaria panamintina (found only in Inyo and Mono Counties.) Juvenile alligator lizards are often mistaken for a different kind of lizard (usually a skink) so they are included here separately. Northern and Southern Alligator lizards are very similar in appearance, but observing the color of the eye and the position of the dark stripes on the belly can help you differentiate them. Check the range, also. There are no Northern Alligator lizards in most of Southern California.
Juvenile Alligator Lizards



Juvenile alligator lizards are often mistaken for skinks, (especially by those from the Southeast where similar-looking Ground Skinks are common). Hatchlings or newborns are very thin and small, roughly 4 inches long, with smooth shiny skin with a plain tan, light brown, or copper colored back and tail. The sides are darker and sometimes mottled or barred as they are on adults. Juveniles gradually develop the large scales and heavy dark barring found on the back and tails of adults.
Southern Alligator Lizards - Elgaria multicarinata

Dark marks or stripes run lengthwise through the center of the scales on the belly. Compare with the dark belly stripes of the Northern Alligator Lizard which occur between the scales here and here and below.

Southern Alligator Lizards have yellow or light eyes compared with the darker eyes of Northern Alligator Lizards, seen below.		Male alligator lizards have a large, broad, almost triangular head.


California Alligator Lizard E. m. multicarinata	San Diego Alligator Lizard E. m. webbii	Oregon Alligator Lizard E. m. scincicauda

	Often these lizards will be missing some or all of their tail.
Look at the range map below to determine which of the subspecies shown above occurs the area where the lizard you are identifying was found.

Red: California Alligator Lizard Orange: Oregon Alligator Lizard Blue: San Diego Alligator Lizard Gray: Approximate intergrade areas where more than one subspecies can be found

Northern Alligator Lizards - Elgaria coerulea

Dark marks or stripes run lengthwise between the rows of scales on the belly. Compare with the dark belly stripes of the Southern Alligator Lizard which occur in the center of the scales. Compare above.

Northern Alligator Lizards have darker eyes compared with the lighter eyes of Southern Alligator Lizards, seen above.

San Francisco Alligator Lizard E. c. coerulea	Sierra Alligator Lizard E. c. palmeri

Northwestern Alligator Lizard E. c. principis	Shasta Alligator Lizard E. c. shastensis
Look at the range map below to determine which of the subspecies shown above occurs the area where the lizard you are identifying was found.

Red: San Francisco Alligator Lizard Blue: Shasta Alligator Lizard Orange: Sierra Alligator Lizard Purple: Northwestern Alligator Lizard Gray: Approximate intergrade areas where more than one subspecies can be found

Panamint Alligator Lizard - Elgaria panamintina
	© Brad Alexander
The Panamint Alligator lizard is found only in a small area east of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Owens Valley. It appears to be most common in riparian areas. No other alligator lizards inhabit the same area (the Southern Alligator Lizard occurs nearby just west of the Owens Valley on the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains) so its identification should not present any challenges.

Red: Distribution of Elgaria panamintina - Panamint Alligator Lizard

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