Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Red shed yesterday, here she is again!
-Alice

Here's a male I caught and released in my backyard last month.

Here's the male I caught in my backyard and donated to the Cal Polu herp room. This pic is a year old, he's much larger now.

Here's still another alligator lizard from my backyard. This one was also donated to the Cal Poly herp room.

Here's a little guy I caught in Lompoc a couple of weeks ago. I'm contemplating holding onto it for awhile to see what it grows up to be.

The Elgaria in your area are seemingly more stunning than most. Do they tend to pick up more color as they mature? If so, it's just the opposite with our alligator lizards here in Texas (Gerrhonotus).

Tom Lott

Glad you liked the pics!

Most babies don't have much color, but most show a hint. I caught Red when she was about 8" from head to tail and she was already incredibly colored. She keeps getting better with every shed, even the underside of her tail, her sides and legs are starting to pick up color. The little male from Cal Poly, however, seems to be dulling a bit. The Elgaria around here are incredibly variable. I've caught guys with yellow down the back, some with orange, and of course brown ones. Many also have incredible barred patterns down the back (I got my camera fairly recently so I don't have pics of these).

1995. I was 8 or 9, I dont remember which. I was living in Ontario California. We saw this huge lizard, by the red car. We somehow knew it was an Alligator lizard. I went to pick it up, and it bit me, HARD. It hurt so bad, and it bled like no other cut Ive had. I quickly threw the lizard about 10 feet into the air. I didnt want to hurt it, but I was so startled. Ever since then, Ive been afraid. Afraid to catch anything reptile related. It seems contarary for me to keep/love pythons. But its different. Something about American reptiles...they seem to lack the grace and beauty of Australian/Asian/African reptiles. Im glad you have the guts to pick up all these wild lizards. I get creeped out if I see a Garter snake. But seeing that first picture of that aligator lizard..sigh. Something I'll never let go. Thanks for reminding me at least!
John

There is nothing to be afraid of. I would be more carfull around Pythons than Aligator lizards. I use to rase Burmease Pythons so I know the dagers of Pythons are unmesurable when compaird to an S. Aligator lizard or the like. Below are some pictures for your enjoyment.

RR

It would be really cool if you can breed out the colors like the corn snakes or the leopard geckos. It'll take years. I'm new to this forum but I had a collection of Southern for years. They come in very many patterns!! Multiple speckled, brown, tan, red spotted, yellow, etc.. I had an orange one, which I named Tiger. She was a very mellow and tamed female. The red spotted ones will also come in with a greenish head. You can definitely breed a designer type!! Anybody ever seen an albino?? Would be interesting.