Melissa
Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated
January 1, 2014
Alligator Lizard
Elgaria and Gerrhonotus
©1997, 2001 Melissa Kaplan
The 67 species of alligator lizards range throughout the world. The ones common to North America, Elgaria and Gerrhonotus, includes 8 species ranging from southern Canada down through Central America.
Members of the family Anguidae (and thus related to the Old and New World legless lizards), they look similar to the Gerrhosaurus, the plated lizards in the family Cordylidae, native to southern and eastern Africa. The different species range through a variety of habitats, generally frequenting moist areas of foothills and mountains, but also found ranging down into the drier grasslands, staying near rivers and streams. Secretive in nature, they hide under windfall, undergrowth, and in rocky crevices. Pugnacious when caught, they will thrash around, often delivering a painful bite.
Alligator lizards sport a flat, wedge-shaped head. There is little neck definition, with the body about the same width as the head. The legs are small, thin, and end in five fine toes. Notable is a distinct lateral fold running along their lower sides from the corner of their mouth to their tail. Their scales are large, slightly keeled, and shingled. Ground color is pale to medium brown with darker crossbands. They shed in one piece, like a snake.
Captive Habitat
Keep in a
semi-moist terrarium with ample low climbing facilities and hiding places.
Potting soil lightened with cypress mulch or orchid bark, with scattered
coverings of sphagnum moss and plants, bark slabs and branches. Keep one
area of substrate damp. Provide water bowl easy for lizard to get in and
out of.
Temperatures
Daytime temperatures should range from 70-80 F (21-26 C), with a basking
area of 85-90 F (29-32 C). Nighttime temperatures should drop to 65-75
F (18-24 C). UVB lighting required, or regular access to unfiltered sunlight.
Food
Insectivores,
they feed mainly on arthropods, snails, and occasionally eggs. In captivity,
larger animals may feed on mice. Diet must be supplemented with multivitamins
and calcium.
Reproduction
Most species
are egg layers, with females guarding their eggs. G. coeruleus (Northern
Alligator lizard) and some montane species are ovoviviparous.
Species
Elgaria coerulea
(formerly Gerrhontus coeruleus) Northern Alligator Lizard.
Northwestern
US to southwestern Cananda. Four subspecies. To 14 inches (35 cm). Tail
almost twice snout-vent length. Olive brown with dark broken, spotty bands.
Abdomen with indistinct dark longitudinal striping between scales. Ovoviviparous,
with 2-15 young, born June-Sept.. Primary habitat includes woodland and
forest, but ranges into grasslands and sagebrush habitats. Perfers cooler
and damper habitats than the Southern Alligator Lizard. Eats insects,
millipedes, ticks, spiders, and snails.
Elgaria kingii
(formerly Gerrhontus kingi) King's Alligator Lizard; Madrean Alligator
Lizard.
Arizona through
northern Mexico. To 18 inches (45 cm). Gray-olive with wide brown crossbands,
black-edged posteriorly. Oviparous, laying 9-15 eggs in June-July. Primarily
a montane speices, frequents chaparral, oak woodlands, and pine-fir forests
in rocky places near permanent or seasonal streams. May also be found
near drainage ways in deserts and grasslands. Partially nocturnal. Eats
insects, scorpions.
Elgaria multicarinata
(formerly Gerrhontus multicarinata) Southern Alligator Lizard.
Coastal North
America, from Washington to Baja. Three subspecies. To 20 inches (50 cm).
Shades of brown with black crossbands, white edged posteriorly. Ventral
scales with indistinct dark lines on scale rows. Male head broader than
female. Oviparous, laying 1-3 clutches of 5-20 eggs in May-July. Inhabits
grasslands, chaparral, oak woodland, and open pine forest. Partly nocturnal
during warmest part of the year. Diet includes slugs, scorpions, centipedes,
insects, and spiders, including black widows; will also eat small lizards
and mammals. May climb bushes and trees in search of prey, including bird
eggs and chicks.
Elgaria panamintina
(tormerly Gerrhontus panamintus) Panamint Alligator Lizard (Protected
Species)
Very localized
to Inyo and Mono Counties, California. To 18 inches (45 cm)? Light yellow
or beige with broad brown crossbands. Ventral markings may form longitudinal
stripes down center of scale rows. Male head broader, more triangular,
than female. Thought to be oviparous. Ranges through scrub desert and
Joshua Tree zone into the pinion-juniper belt. Eats insects, arthropods.
Other species
You can look up information on the following species at the TIGR
Reptile Database's section on Anguidae:
Elgaria parva
Elgaria paucicarinata
Gerrhonotus liocephalus
Gerrhonotus liocephalus infernalis Texas Alligator Lizard
Gerrhonotus lugoi
Sources
Feldner, Jerry, 2001. Personal communcation.
Mattison, Chris 1992. The Care of Reptiles and Amphibians In Captivity. Blandford Press, London. 306 p.
Obst, F.J., Richter, Dr. K., Jacob, Dr. U. 1988. The Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium. TFH Publications, Neptune City, NJ. 815 p.
Stebbins, Robert C. 1985. Peterson Field Guides: Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA. 322 p.
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