Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyAnguidae (Glass and Alligator Lizards)
- GenusElgaria (Western Alligator Lizards)
- SpeciesElgaria multicarinata (Southern Alligator Lizard)
About the Southern Alligator Lizard
The southern alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) is a common species of lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is 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. There are five recognized subspecies.
The following five subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. Elgaria multicarinata ignava (Van Denburgh, 1905) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata (Blainville, 1835) Elgaria multicarinata nana (Fitch, 1934)
Elgaria multicarinata scincicauda (Skilton, 1849) Elgaria multicarinata webbii (Baird, 1859) The generic name Elgaria is possibly named for an "Elgar" or a pun on "alligator." The specific name multicarinata refers to the keeled scales characteristic of this species. The common name "alligator lizard" is a reference to the fact that the back and belly scales of these lizards are reinforced by bone, as they are in alligators.
The subspecific name webbii is in honor... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Southern Alligator Lizard in Channel Islands National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Channel Islands National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Southern Alligator Lizard in Channel Islands National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Southern Alligator Lizard sighting in Channel Islands National Park, based on 156 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Southern Alligator Lizard in Channel Islands National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Southern Alligator Lizard in Channel Islands National Park in our monthly data.