Identifying California Alligator Lizards - Elgaria

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:

Three species of Alligator Lizards can be found in California:

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.)
The Panamint Alligator Lizard - Elgaria panamintina (found only in isolated spots in the desert.)

Juvenile alligator lizards are often mistaken for different species, 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 much of Southern California.

Juvenile alligator lizards are often mistaken for skinks, (especially by those from the Southeast where similar-looking Ground Skinks are common). These juveniles are small and thin with smooth, shiny scales with little or no pattern on the back. The color is usually bronze or copper with some dark and light on the sides. The large scales apparent on adults are not obvious on juveniles.

Southern Alligator Lizards - Elgaria multicarinata

Dark marks or stripes run lengthwise down the belly of Southern Alligator Lizards in the center of the scales.
Compare with the dark belly stripes of the Northern Alligator Lizard which occur between the scales.

Southern Alligator Lizards have yellow or light eyes. Compare with the darker eyes of the Northern Alligator Lizard.

Male alligator lizards have a large, broad, almost triangular head.

Look at the range map below to determine which of the subspecies shown above ocurs in your area.

Dark marks or stripes run lengthwise down the belly of Northern Alligator Lizards between the scales.
Compare with the dark belly stripes of the Southern Alligator Lizard which occur in the center of the scales.

Northern Alligator Lizards have dark eyes. Compare with the lighter eyes of the Southern Alligator Lizard.

Look at the range map below to determine which of the subspecies shown above ocurs in your area.

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.