Scientific Name: Elgaria coerulea
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Anguidae
Genus: Elgaria
Physical Characteristics
Adults reach a total length of roughly 25 cm (10 in). They have a distinct skin fold on their sides, separating the keeled scales on the back from the smooth ventral scales. They are brownish in color and often have dark blotches that sometimes blend together into bands. The belly is light gray. The eyes are dark.
Diet
They feed on a wide variety of small invertebrates such as insects, spiders, millipedes, or snails.
Habitat
The Northern Alligator Lizard prefers a more humid environment than the Southern Alligator Lizard.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity is reached after about three years. The female gives birth to living young. The mating season is in spring (April - May). In late summer, about 3 - 8 young are born in a single litter.
Distribution
The Northern Alligator Lizard occurs along the Pacific Coast and in the Rocky Mountains from southern British Columbia through Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana south through Oregon to the coastal range and the Sierra Nevada in central California. The Southern Alligator Lizard is common throughout Southern California and can be found in grasslands, chaparral, and forests as well as urban areas. In dry climates, it is likely to be found in moist areas or near streams.
