Alligator Lizard – Genus Elgaria

Alligator Lizards, which range in length from 8 to 17 inches, are found from the western foothills all the way to the sub-alpine belt. They are often found scurrying near grassy areas, under brush, and around rocks and logs. Their sinusoidal ("S"-shaped movement) may appear snake-like if you don't get a good view of them.

Although they generally spend most of their time on land, they can climb and even swim.

As a technique for escaping other predators, the Alligator lizard’s tail breaks off easily and then re-grows. It takes a lot of energy to grow a new tail, and the new tail is not quite the same as the original.

Alligator Lizard

How do alligator lizards reproduce?

The way that alligator lizards bear young varies. The Southern Alligator lizard (E. multicarinata) for example, lays her eggs in early summer and they hatch in about 3 months. In contrast, the Northern Alligator lizard (E. coerulea) gives birth to live young. Mating occurs in late spring and early summer, and young are born in August and September.

What do alligator lizards eat?

Their diet generally consists of insects, spiders, and very small reptiles. They are predators, even if they aren’t what you picture as a predator.

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