madrean alligator lizard 13 comments
I’m working on another post about our autumn travels, but just had to share some photos of a lizard that put in an appearance in the garden last evening. I was walking around in the lane with the two dogs when my gaze fell upon a sinuous, ornately banded tail. At first glance I thought it might be one of the many species of snakes here in southeast Arizona, but closer inspection revealed it to be a lizard which held its small forelegs close to its body. The body had rows of rectangular scales. The head had a longish snout with pretty markings, and quiet, bird-like eyes. I went indoors to get my camera and returned to find it still frozen in the same spot. I shot a few photos, then came in to look for an I.D. in A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona (Brennan & Holycross) – and yes, as you might guess, I have built up a useful collection of field guides pertaining to the flora and fauna of the southwest. Flipping through the pages, I soon identified this creature as a Madrean Alligator Lizard (Elgaria kingii nobilis). Apparently, they are fairly common in this region and often found in forested canyons such as the one where I’m living. Their diet consists of insects, spiders and scorpions. With any luck, this little fellow will dine well on scorpions. As some of you may remember, last year around this time, I was stung by a scorpion, so any creature that puts a dent in the scorpion population is a friend of mine. If you are interested in getting a closer look at this lizard, click here to see a larger photo in which I laid an iris leaf alongside the lizard to provide some scale. Okay, there will probably be a Utah-related post coming up sometime very soon.
13 Responses to 'madrean alligator lizard'
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Megan – it is a lot like a skink – but a rather jumbo sized one! It sure has a long tail. Very beautiful. Sure, email me whenever you have time. Take care, bev
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Bev, it’s a really beautiful lizard. I do hope it dines well on scorpions!
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That is an impressive creature, bev.
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That’s got even more tail than the BC ones do; scrolling down that lower photo is like a canoe trip down Kemptville Creek.
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fred – indeed, the tail is very long. i had to shoot several photos in order to get a good one that had both the body and tail in reasonable focus!
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wow! what a tail! If you couldn’t see the front of the lizards body and head, I might think it was a snake at first. Sure is a handsome dude..How very very cool Bev 🙂
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Very nice lizard! The patterning of light and dark jagged bands down the length of the tail reminded me of something that eluded me for a few minutes, and then I thought – horsetails. It almost looks like the dark bands are three dimensional atop a lighter body.
It looks like the last length of the tail comes off easily, too.
I’d love to see that fellow eat a scorpion. That’s an aggressive taste treat!!
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Cindy – Yes, initially, I thought it must be a snake. I love the markings.
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Wayne – Ha, yes, you’re right, it does look like horsetails! How interesting! I wonder how easily the tail would break away. Being so long and slender, it seems likely that it wouldn’t take too much. I would like to see one eating a scorpion too. I wonder if they bite its body first to kill it, or if it would swallow it whole? -
Absolutely gorgeous, Bev…. I thought it was a snake at first, and if one doesn’t look too closely, it DOES look like a strand of scouring rush.
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Wow! A terribly handsome beast indeed. It could easily fool one into thinking it a snake, at least at first glance.
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Cate & Jason – Yes, it sure did look like a snake at first glance, especially as it was resting among fallen leaves, so I could not see its legs that well. What probably gave it away for me was the the head was held in an odd way that looked like it did not join to the body the way a snake’s head would. I had to lean close to be sure it wasn’t a snake. And yes, Cate, it sure does look look like a stem of scouring rush!
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Well Bev, You are aware that I dont really care for snakes, but, that being said, the lizard in your photo does look like a snake but is very cool to look at. I can watch from a distance and love learning about them. They are nature and they have as much right as I do to be here. You have taught me a great deal. Keep sending those great pictures.
I was thinking it was some kind of fancy skink.
One of my earliest memories is learning how to ride a bicycle in missouri, dodging scorpions.
(ps – will send you an email today or tomorrow.)