Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, as you can tell by the name, I'm all about Boas. Each year we catch an Alligator lizard or two, keep it for awhile so the kids can enjoy them, and then release them. A couple years ago we caught one that layed 17 eggs within the week.

This last month, I caught a short one that was real fat, I knew she was gravid. Yesterday she was real plump and refused food. today she looked real thin. Then I saw four little babies running around. She had live birth . Has anyone known of this happening? I don't know if this is common, or not. Is their any good info on Alligator lizards breeding/gestation/ birthing that I can be directed to? Thanks for any help/info. David
-----
I'm just the snake room janitor

You probably live in the overlap zone between the northern and southern alligator lizards. The southerns lay eggs, the northerns have live young. Superficially both species look very similar. If you flip them over, the southerns will appear to have faint lines going down the center of the ventral scales and northerns will have lines that appear to go down the sides. For range maps, pics etc. check out www.californiaherps.com . You may also want to consider purchasing the peterson guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians by Stebbins.

-Alice

Thanks Alice, I did some more research as well. I was quite shocked at the unexpected live birth. I'm not sure of the lines that you spoke of, I haven't checked, but I did read that the southerns will have a golden/yellow eye (which I know that I've seen before), and the northerns have a dark eye (in which this female does).

Here's momma -- pretty small

One baby

the litter

And a size comparison shot. I can't believe that she had four of these in her

Thanks again, David

-----
I'm just the snake room janitor

Those are northerns due to the smooth scalatiom. Southerns are more heavily keeled.

Congrats!
-----
AMAZON REPTILE CENTER

NAMED BEST REPTILE STORE IN LOS ANGELES