Species › Reptiles & Amphibians › Northern Alligator Lizard

Northern Alligator Lizard

Elgaria coerulea

CommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea)

The Northern Alligator Lizard is a long-bodied, short-limbed lizard of the Pacific Northwest. It moves with a snake-like motion and is cold-tolerant, active in cool, cloudy weather. It bites hard when handled.

Habitat
Moist forests, rocky meadows, and brushy hillsides
Diet
Insects, spiders, ticks, and small vertebrates
How common
Common

Best time to see a Northern Alligator Lizard

The best time to see a Northern Alligator Lizard is March–July, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,099 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Recent Northern Alligator Lizard sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Northern Alligator Lizard?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More reptiles & amphibians

Northern Cat-eyed Snake
Northern Cat-eyed Snake
Leptodeira septentrionalis
Northern Cricket Frog
Northern Cricket Frog
Acris crepitans
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard
Leiocephalus carinatus
Northern Glassfrog
Northern Glassfrog
Hyalinobatrachium viridissimum
Northern Gray-cheeked Salamander
Northern Gray-cheeked Salamander
Plethodon montanus
Northern Legless Lizard
Northern Legless Lizard
Anniella pulchra
Northern Leopard Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
Lithobates pipiens
Northern Pygmy Salamander
Northern Pygmy Salamander
Desmognathus organi