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Home/Species/ Panamint Alligator Lizard

Elgaria panamintina

(Stebbins, 1958)

Panamint Alligator Lizard

G3Vulnerable Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
VulnerableIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.100264
Element CodeARACB01050
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNVulnerable
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyAnguidae
GenusElgaria
Synonyms
Elgaria (=Gerrhonotus) panamintina(Stebbins, 1958)Gerrhonotus panamintinus
Other Common Names
Panamint alligator lizard (EN)
Concept Reference
Feldman, C. R., and G. S. Spicer. 2006. Comparative phylogeography of woodland reptiles in California: repeated patterns of cladogenesis and population expansion. Molecular Ecology 15:2201-2222.
Taxonomic Comments
Elgaria panamintina formerly was included in the genus Gerrhonotus (see Good 1988). The results of Feldman and Spicer (2006) indicate that E. panamintina is derived from within E. multicarinata. Molecular data support recognition of the family Anniellidae and anguid subfamilies Gerrhonotinae and Anguinae as monophyletic groups (Macey et al. 1999). See Good (1988) for taxonomic treatments of gerrhonotine lizards.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2026-03-10
Change Date2013-07-18
Edition Date2026-03-10
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G. (2013); rev. T. Cornelisse (2026)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
This lizard has a limited range and few known occurrences, although it is difficult to detect in surveys. Due to its association with desert springs habitat, it is threatened by actions that alter that habitat, such as mining, grazing, and ORV use as well as reduced water availability from climate change and tamarisk invasion, but short-term population trends are unknown.
Range Extent Comments
This species occurs in desert mountains of Inyo and Mono counties, east-central California, USA (Stebbins 2003; Thomson et al. 2016; RARECAT 2025; CNDDB 2026).
Occurrences Comments
This species is known from at least approximately 24 occurrences using records from 1995-2026 (Banta et al. 1996; Thomson et al. 2016; RARECAT 2025; CNDDB 2026).
Threat Impact Comments
As this species is often closely associated with springs, it is threatened by capping or alteration of spring water and surrounding habitat, such as through mining, including associated roads, livestock grazing, off-road vehicle use, and water use by invasive tamarisk trees, as well as illegal collecting (DeDecker 1991; Jennings and Hayes 1994; Thomson et al. 2016). Climate change likely has a negative effect where it results in reduced water availability in riparian zones (Thomson et al. 2016).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

This lizard occurs in rocky canyons and regions dominated by scrub desert and the lower edge of the pinyon-juniper belt at about 2,500-7,500 feet (760-2,300 meters) (Stebbins 1985; Thomson et al. 2016). Most known locations are in canyon riparian zones below permanent springs; but individuals may range into talus slopes some distance from the immediate riparian zone (Good 1988, Jennings and Hayes 1994, Banta et al. 1996, Stebbins and McGinnis 2012). Occurrence in widespread dry wash and talus habitat suggested to Banta et al. (1996) that the geographic range may be much broader than is now known.

Reproduction

This lizard mates in the spring (Goldberg and Beaman 2003).
Terrestrial Habitats
Shrubland/chaparralDesertBare rock/talus/scree
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranchingLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
3 - Energy production & miningRestricted - smallModerate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
3.2 - Mining & quarryingRestricted - smallModerate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
5 - Biological resource useSmall (1-10%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
5.1 - Hunting & collecting terrestrial animalsSmall (1-10%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceLarge - smallSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activitiesLarge - smallSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesRestricted - smallModerate - slightHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesRestricted - smallModerate - slightHigh (continuing)
8.1.2 - Named speciesRestricted - smallModerate - slightHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11.2 - DroughtsPervasive (71-100%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (2)
California (2)
AreaForestAcres
Birch CreekInyo National Forest28,816
Soldier CanyonInyo National Forest40,589
References (26)
  1. Banta, B. H. 1963. Remarks upon the natural history of <i>Gerrhonotus panamintinus</i> Stebbins. Occasional Papers of the California Academy of Science (36):1-12.
  2. Banta, B. H., C. R. Mahrdt, and K. R. Beaman. 1996. <i>Elgaria panamintina</i>. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 629:1-4.
  3. Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 719 pp.
  4. California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). 2026. RareFind Version 5.3.0. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
  5. Collins, J. T. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. 3rd ed. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp.
  6. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Sixth edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular 37:1-84. Online with updates at: http://www.ssarherps.org/pages/comm_names/Index.php
  7. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2012. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 7th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 39:1-92.
  8. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
  9. DeDecker, M. 1991. Shrubs and flowering plants. Pages 108-241 in C.A. Hall, Jr. (editor). Natural history of the White-Inyo Range, eastern California. California Natural History Guides 55. University of California Press, Berkeley.
  10. Dixon, J. D. 1975. Geographic distribution: <i>Gerrhonotus panamintinus</i> (Panamint alligator lizard). Herpetological Review 6(2):45.
  11. Feldman, C. R., and G. S. Spicer. 2006. Comparative phylogeography of woodland reptiles in California: repeated patterns of cladogenesis and population expansion. Molecular Ecology 15:2201-2222.
  12. Goldberg, S. R., and K. R. Beaman. 2003. <i>Elgaria panamintina</i> (panamint alligator lizard). Reproduction. Herpetologica 34:143.
  13. Good, D. A. 1988a. Allozyme variation and phylogenetic relationships among the species of <i>Elgaria </i> (Squamata: Anguidae). Herpetologica 44:154-62.
  14. Good, D. A. 1988b. Phylogenetic relationships among gerrhonotine lizards: an analysis of external morphology. University of California Publication Zoology 121.
  15. Jennings, M. R., and M. P. Hayes. 1994. Amphibian and reptile species of special concern in California. Final Report submitted to the California Department of Fish and Game, Inland Fisheries Division. Contract No. 8023. 255 pp.
  16. La Berteaux, D. L., and B. H. Garlinger. 1998. Inyo California towhee (<i>Pipilo crissalis </i><i>eremophilus</i>) census in the Argus and Coso mountain ranges, Inyo County, California. Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California (Contract N62474-90-M-3113).
  17. Macey, J. R., and T. J. Papenfuss. 1991. Reptiles. Pages 291-360 in C. A. Hall, Jr., editor. Natural history of the White-Inyo Rnage, eastern California. California Natural History Guides (55). University of California Press, Berkeley.
  18. Macey, J. R., J. A. Schulte, II, A. Larson, B. S. Tuniyev, N. Orlov, and T. J. Papenfuss. 1999. Molecular phylogenetics, tRNA evolution, and historical biogeography in anguid lizards and related taxonomic families. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 12:250-272.
  19. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  20. Stebbins, R. C. 1958. A new alligator lizard from the Panamint Mountains, Inyo County, California. American Museum Novitates (1883):1-27.
  21. Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.
  22. Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
  23. Stebbins, R. C., and S. M. McGinnis. 2012. Field guide to amphibians and reptiles of California. Revised edition. University of California Press, Berkeley.
  24. Thomson, R. C., Wright, A.N., and H.B. Shaffer. 2016. California amphibian and reptile species of special concern. University of California Press, Oakland, California, USA. 407 pp.
  25. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2015. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; 90-day findings on 25 petitions, notice of petition findings and initiation of status reviews. Federal Register 80(181):56423-56432.
  26. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2019. Twelve Species Not Warranted for Listing as Endangered or Threatened Species. Notice of findings. Federal Register 84(194): 53336-53343.