Elgaria coerulea

Northern Alligator Lizard

Identification/Variations: Large scales that give the appearance of a miniature alligator, the Northern Alligator Lizards is typically a chocolate brown, tan, or gray. These lizards are medium in size reaching nearly a foot in total length. There are 4 distinct variations of this lizard. The Shasta, Sierra, and San Francisco Alligator Lizards are found only in California and Nevada, while the Northwestern Alligator Lizard is found in the Pacific Northwest.

Range/Habitat: Found in clearings along creeks, ponds, meadows, and lakes. Northern Alligator Lizards may be found far from water as well, but they seem to prefer a nearby water source. They range from California north through western Oregon and Washington into the southern third of British Columbia.

Notes: While alligator lizards are harmless, they will bite if handled. They are not as fast as other local lizards and they are seldom seen in the open. Usually they bask close to a rock or log to hide under if approached.

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