ExploreReptiles

Southern Alligator Lizard

Elgaria multicarinata

The Southern Alligator Lizard is a fun little reptile that loves to bask in the sun. With its long body and cool scales, it can often be found in gardens or under rocks.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Southern Alligator Lizard has a long, slender body with short legs and a long tail. Its overlapping, keeled scales are typically brown, grey, or olive, often with darker crossbands. A distinct fold of skin runs along each side of its body, and its belly is usually pale yellow.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyAnguidaeGenusElgaria
Southern Alligator Lizard
arboreal trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgecarnivorous trait badge
Southern Alligator Lizard

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Despite their name, Southern Alligator Lizards are not related to alligators at all!

Some females can store sperm for months to fertilize eggs later, how cool is that?

These lizards can live in gardens, helping control pests like slugs and snails!

They can 'play dead' when threatened, lying still until danger passes, wow!

Special abilities

Ability

Escape Artist Tail

Southern Alligator Lizard can drop its wiggling tail to distract predators, which helps them make a quick getaway!

Ability

Expandable Body

Southern Alligator Lizard has a unique skin fold along its sides that helps them expand to eat larger meals or carry eggs.

Ability

Powerful Jaws

Southern Alligator Lizard has strong jaws that help them crush exoskeletons of insects and hold onto squirming prey.

Ability

Climbing Claws

Southern Alligator Lizard can climb well using sharp claws and scaly skin, which helps them scale trees and rocks for hunting.

Measurements & details

Length
15-50 cm
Weight
0.01-0.1 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
10 km/h
Clutch Size
5-20
Incubation
30-90 days

Diet & Feeding

These carnivorous lizards eat a variety of insects, spiders, and even small rodents or other lizards.

Primary Foods

  • crickets
  • grasshoppers
  • slugs
  • snails
  • spiders
  • beetles

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see one, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Southern Alligator Lizard?

15-50 cm

How much does Southern Alligator Lizard weigh?

0.01-0.1 kg

How long does Southern Alligator Lizard live?

5-10 years

How fast can Southern Alligator Lizard move?

10 km/h

What does Southern Alligator Lizard eat?

These carnivorous lizards eat a variety of insects, spiders, and even small rodents or other lizards.

Where is Southern Alligator Lizard usually found?

Urban areas

How does Southern Alligator Lizard hunt?

Ambush

How many eggs does Southern Alligator Lizard lay?

5-20

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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