Southern Alligator Lizard

At a glance

Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.

Confirmed by 37,048 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Oregon, and Washington the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Notable details

• The largest alligator lizard species, reaching up to 20 inches (50 cm) total length.
• Named for its rough, strongly keeled scales that visually resemble alligator hide.
• Unlike its northern relative, it lays eggs rather than bearing live young.
• An opportunistic predator known to eat ticks, black widows, scorpions, and small mice.
• Common in California chaparral, oak woodland edges, and moist canyon bottoms.

Where Southern Alligator Lizard are seen

• California35,939 iNat obs
• Oregon990 iNat obs
• Washington115 iNat obs
• Utah2 iNat obs
• New Mexico1 iNat obs
• Nevada1 iNat obs

Background

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 and lives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, chaparral, forests, and even urban areas. In dry climates, it is likely to be found in moist areas or near streams.

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Southern Alligator Lizard article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Other reptiles on CatchRules

• Pond SliderTrachemys scripta
• Painted TurtleChrysemys picta
• North American RacerColuber constrictor
• Ring-Necked SnakeDiadophis punctatus