# Northern Alligator Lizard (*Elgaria coerulea*) The Northern Alligator Lizard is a cool reptile that looks like a little dragon! It has a long body and can be green or brown, helping it blend in with its surroundings. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Northern Alligator Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Elgaria_coerulea.jpg&width=800) Photo: Marshal Hedin, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elgaria_coerulea.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Alligator Lizard has a long, slender body with tough, keeled scales that give it a rough texture. Its coloring varies from brown to grey or olive-green, often with dark bands or blotches. A distinct fold of skin runs along its sides. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Anguidae - **Genus:** Elgaria ## Interesting facts - A special side groove lets their body expand when eating or pregnant. - Their long, sticky tongue can snatch up unsuspecting insects in a flash! - These lizards give birth to live young, not eggs, which is quite rare! - They have sharp, conical teeth perfect for gripping slippery insects and worms. ## Special abilities - **Escape Artist:** Northern Alligator Lizard can detach its tail to distract predators, giving it a chance to flee to safety. - **Blended Hunter:** Northern Alligator Lizard has rough, banded scales that help it disappear perfectly into its forest environment. - **Armored Skin:** Northern Alligator Lizard has tough, keeled scales and bony plates under its skin for protection from attacks. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-15 - **Incubation:** 48-65 days ## Diet & Feeding Tiny hunters, they feast on insects and other small critters found in their woodland homes. - **Primary Foods:** crickets, spiders, grasshoppers, slugs, snails, sowbugs - **Foraging Methods:** Ambush, Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — Common predator in its habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A swift bird of prey that hunts lizards. - **Hunts:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Actively searches for slow-moving slugs. - **Hunts:** [Fall Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fall-field-cricket) (*Gryllus pennsylvanicus*) — A primary food source for these lizards. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a lizard, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Alligator Lizard? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern Alligator Lizard? 10-30 cm ### How much does Northern Alligator Lizard weigh? 0.005-0.03 kg ### How long does Northern Alligator Lizard live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Northern Alligator Lizard move? 10 km/h ### What does Northern Alligator Lizard eat? Tiny hunters, they feast on insects and other small critters found in their woodland homes. ### Where is Northern Alligator Lizard usually found? Grasslands ### How does Northern Alligator Lizard hunt? Ambush and Foraging ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cougar-mountain-regional-wildland-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Discovery Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/discovery-park) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Hakone Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hakone-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Santiam State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santiam-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Ross Lake National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ross-lake-national-recreation-area) — Washington, US · National Park [View all places to see Northern Alligator Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-alligator-lizard) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Northern Alligator Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-alligator-lizard)