It is believed that the colour of the lizard depends on what kind of UVB light they receives. Northern alligator lizards can live for 10 years, meaning they are a fairly long-term commitment.

Of all these, only the fence lizard is easily identified by gender. and Vancouver Island to the north coast of California. Northern Alligator Lizard, Vancouver Island, BC, Photo By Robert Logan. This is when they are preyed upon by shrikes, hawks, owls, and snakes. ... A male alligator lizard is bigger than a female lizard and the male lives longer than the female. About 9% of alligator lizard mating observations involve two males with a female, but each male usually is biting the female. Their bite is very strong and lizards are quick at it.

This lizards are found from southern B.C. Its long, prehensile tail aids tremendously in maneuvering through branches by hanging on while the feet gain new footholds. Today you’re depending on KCRW in an entirely new way. The female lizards have one litter of babies a year, birthing around 10 (plus or minus a few) at a time. What is a female lizard called?

RETURN TO ECOMAP. Overall, the male can not be more than 10% larger than the females. Alligator lizards are good climbers, using their somewhat prehensile tail to hold on, but they aren't easy to spot in trees since they blend in well with the branches. The young develop inside the mother and when ready, the female gives birth to 5 or 6 live babies. Eggs kept at a temperature lower than 86°F degrees withhold a female while eggs held at a temperature of 91.4°F or more will hold a male. During the summer heat, they can be seen sunning on hot rocks, sometimes in large groups. The Northern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria coerulea (found only from the Monterey Bay north, and in the Sierra Nevada.)

We also have sagebrush lizards, northern alligator lizards, southern alligator lizards, western skinks, Gilbert’s skinks, western whiptails, coast horned lizards, and California legless lizards. The species is mostly in wooded areas in hilly and mountainous areas where it’s not too wet. A male alligator lizard is bigger than a female lizard and the male lives longer than the female. If you happen to see some alligator lizards doing their weird lovemaking, be a community scientist: take a picture and send it to nature@nhm.org. Gently insert the forceps into the vent and spread them a bit to see if a penis emerges. Add a rough-barked branch for them to exercise on and you’ll get to enjoy seeing them more active. The eggs will hatch in the late summer. Northern Alligator Lizard.


Northern Alligator lizard is a medium-sized lizard that occurs on the North American west coast. A clitoris will pop out in a female, but is much smaller than the male alligator's penis. In captivity, the northern alligator lizard is a hardy pet. They can grow to be 25 centimetres long—and half of that is their tail! Juvenile females are often observed to attack other females at this stage.
Southern alligator lizards can be found from northern Baja California to southern Washington, and their close relative, the northern alligator lizard, can be found from central California to southern British Columbia. Click the reptile pictures below to be taken to the corresponding list of lizards available for purchase.

Temperatures in between will result in both male and females.

Our articles are free for you to copy and distribute. The Panamint Alligator Lizard - Elgaria panamintina (found only in Inyo and Mono Counties.) 2. This female alligator lizard was observed sitting on a trail in Santa Clara County.

We also have sagebrush lizards, northern alligator lizards, southern alligator lizards, western skinks, Gilbert’s skinks, western whiptails, coast horned lizards, and California legless lizards. Appearance. If you buy a lizard from us, you can be sure it's guaranteed to arrive alive and in great condition. Scientific Name Elgaria m.multicarinata . Yuki’s observation is especially uncommon because one male has a … Generally the Mexican Alligator Lizard is quite difficult for one to determine its sex just by casual inspection. Two male and one female alligator lizard in the courtyard of a Pasadena apartment complex.

Hope it helps! Support KCRW — your daily lifeline. Backwater Reptiles offers an incredible array of live lizards for sale, ranging from rare geckos to captive-bred iguanas and bearded dragons. Southern alligator lizards use their tails for balance and as a fifth leg when climbing. The American alligator is a large crocodilian with an armored body, short legs, a muscular tail and a long, rounded snout. Elgaria caerulea. In urban areas, including the Greater Los Angeles Area, they are the most widespread lizards. Hope it helps! It is a short-legged, long-bodied lizard with a triangular head. It’s best to … Although that tail is fairly durable, in can break if the lizard is handled too carelessly.