Range in California: Red
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Adult, Inyo County |
Adult, Inyo County |
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Adult, Inyo County |
Adult, Inyo County |
Adult, Inyo County |
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Adult, Inyo County |
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Habitat |
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Habitat, 6,000 ft. Inyo County
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Habitat, 6,000 ft. Inyo County |
Habitat, 6,000 ft. Inyo County |
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Microhabitat, Inyo County
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| Description |
| Size |
| 3 5/8 - 6 inches long from snout to vent (9.2 - 15.2 cm). |
| Appearance |
Alligator lizards, genus Elgaria, are members of the family Anguidae, a family of lizards found in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Large bony scales, a large head on an elongated body and powerful jaws probably give the lizards their common name. They are characterized by a slim body with short limbs and long tail. The tail can reach twice the length of its body if it has never been broken off and regenerated.
The Panamint Alligator Lizard is light yellow, beige, or gray with broad light or dark brown bands circling the top and sides, and white marks on the sides behind each band. The underside is cream colored with gray flecks. The tail is banded. The eyes are pale yellow. Male heads are broader and more triangular than that of females.
The dark bands of juveniles contrasts stronly with a light background. |
| Behavior |
| Secretive and not frequently seen, spending much time in dense rock piles and plant growth. Diurnal, crepuscular, and sometimes nocturnal. |
| Diet |
| Small invertebrates. |
| Reproduction |
| Probably lays eggs. Mating has been observed in May. |
| Range |
Endemic to California.
Found in Inyo and Mono Counties in desert mountain ranges, including the Panamint Mountains, the White Mountains, the Inyo Mountains, the Nelson Mountains, and the Cosos Mountains. From 2,500 to 7,513 ft. (760 - 2,290 meters). |
| Habitat |
| A relict species inhabiting limited riparian areas in the desert, mostly rocky canyon bottoms near streams and springs, grown with creosote bush, sagebrush, and at the lower edge of the piñon-juniper zone. Found in dense vegetation near damp soil, and also in rocky talus outside of riparian areas. |
| Taxonomic Notes |
Formerly Gerrhonotus panamintinus
First discovered in 1954 in the Panamint Mountains. Occurs about 10 miles from Elgaria multicarinata, but more closely related to Elgaria kingii, (found in Arizona) from which it was isolated during the drying of the deserts. |
| Conservation Issues (Conservation Status) |
| Considered to be threatened due to alteration of its limited available habitat from mining, livestock grazing, and off-road vehicle use. |
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Taxonomy |
| Family |
Anguidae |
Alligator Lizards & Allies |
| Genus |
Elgaria |
Western Alligator Lizards |
Species
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panamintina |
Panamint Alligator Lizard |
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Original Description |
(Stebbins, 1958) - Amer. Mus. Nov., No. 1883, p. 2
from Original Description Citations for the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America © Ellin Beltz
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Meaning of the Scientific Name |
Elgaria - obscure - possibly named for an "Elgar" or a pun on "alligator."
panamintina - Panamint Mountains, in east central CA
from Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained © Ellin Beltz
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Alternate Names |
Formerly Gerrhonotus panamintinus
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Related or Similar California Lizards |
E. c. palmeri - Sierra Alligator Lizard
E. c. shastensis - Shasta Alligator Lizard
E. c. principis - Northwestern Alligator Lizard
E. m. multicarinata - California Alligator Lizard
E. m. scincicauda - Oregon Alligator Lizard
E. m. webbii - San Diego Alligator Lizard
E. c. coerulea - San Francisco Alligator Lizard
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More Information and References |
Natureserve Explorer
California Dept. of Fish and Game
Biology, Ecology and Current Research
Stebbins, Robert C. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.
Behler, John L., & F. Wayne King. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, 1992.
Macey, J. Robert and Theodore Papenfuss."Herpetology." The Natural History of the White-Inyo Range Eastern California.
Ed. Clarence Hall. University of California Press, 1991.
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The following status listings come from the Special Animals List which is published several times each year by the California Department of Fish and Game.
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Organization
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Status Listing
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| U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) |
None |
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| California Endangered Species Act (CESA) |
None |
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| California Department of Fish and Game |
DFG:SSC |
California Species of Special Concern |
| Bureau of Land Management |
BLM:S |
Sensitive |
| USDA Forest Service |
USFS:S |
Sensitive |
| Natureserve Global Conservation Status Ranks |
G1G2 S1S2 |
Critically Imperiled |
World Conservation Union - IUCN Red List
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IUCN:VU |
Vulnerable |
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