Southern Alligator lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
Native to the Bay Area, alligator lizards may live in a park or open space—even your back yard! They are carnivorous and eat almost anything they can catch and swallow: insects, spiders, lizards, baby mice, bird eggs, and even small birds.
Their long tail helps them balance to climb bushes and trees. If threatened, the lizard can “drop’ its tail to distract a predator. With luck, the lizard then escapes, and the tail will eventually grow back.
Our alligator lizard came to live with us in 2009 after being kept as a pet. Only captive bred animals should be kept as pets. Please do not take wild animals from their habitat.
