Southern Alligator Lizard

The Southern Alligator Lizard is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Southern alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) is a lizard native to the Pacific coast of North America. It is common throughout Southern California and can be found in grasslands, chaparral, and forests as well as urban areas. More

Size: The Southern Alligator Lizard has a long, slender body - up to seven inches - with relatively small legs. More

The Southern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria multicarinata (found throughout the state) The Northern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria coerulea (found only from the Monterey Bay north, and in the Sierra Nevada. More

The southern alligator lizard is one of the largest lizards in Washington. It can be up to 12 inches long, half of which is the long, slender tail. More

southern alligator lizard, a well-named species known for its vicious bite. The lizard, however, has a few extraordinary traits that make it well worth watching. More

* Southern Alligator Lizard: 25 Sep 1982 at Elkhorn Slough Nat. Estuarine Research Reserve, Monterey Co., CA * Northern Alligator Lizard: 28 Apr 1979 at Klamath River mouth, Del Norte Co. More

Southern alligator lizards like this one have longer tails than their Northern cousins. Their dorsal patterns are also somewhat different. More

The southern alligator lizard has a long prehensile tail, up to twice the length of its body. More

Read about the Southern Alligator Lizard in the wild. Page 1 - Page 2 A Southern Alligator Lizard traversing some tall grass. More

The Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) is native to North America, and more specifically, along the Pacific Coast. The largest population distribution is found in Southern California. More

The Southern Alligator Lizard is from the order Squamata. Species from this order are amphisbaenians, lizards or snakes. There are over 6,000 living species belonging to the squamata order - it is the largest order of all reptiles. More

Juvenile Southern Alligator LizardJuveniles: Broad dorsal stripe of yellow, tan, or reddish-gold; indistinct crossbands. Dimorphism: Head broader and more triangular in adult males. Similar species: Eumeces skiltonianus: Have smooth dorsal scales; lack lateral folds. More

We were given a baby Southern Alligator Lizard and also have a baby Western Fence Lizard. If we put the two together will they be OK? Our concern is maybe the Alligator Lizard might be more aggressive than the Fence Lizard. More

Common names

Elgaria multicarinata in French - français
Lagarto-escorpión del Sur in Spanish - español
nana: Los Coronados Alligator Lizard in English - English
Southern Alligator Lizard in English - English