Elgaria coerulea

(Wiegmann, 1828)

Northern Alligator Lizard

G5Secure Found in 224 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105055
Element CodeARACB01010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyAnguidae
GenusElgaria
Synonyms
Gerrhonotus coeruleus
Other Common Names
Lézard alligator du Nord (FR) northern alligator lizard (EN) Orvet boréal (FR)
Concept Reference
Good, D. A. 1988b. Phylogenetic relationships among gerrhonotine lizards: an analysis of external morphology. University of California Publication Zoology 121.
Taxonomic Comments
Elgaria coerulea formerly was included in genus Gerrhonotus (see Good 1988). Four intergrading subspecies (coerulea, palmeri, principis, and shastensis) are recognized. See Good (1988) for taxonomic treatments of gerrhonotine lizards.

Molecular data support recognition of the family Anniellidae and anguid subfamilies Gerrhonotinae and Anguinae as monophyletic groups (Macey et al. 1999).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-02-02
Change Date1996-10-23
Edition Date2005-05-09
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Range Extent Comments
This lizard ranges from southern British Columbia (including Vancouver Island) southward through western Washington and western Oregon to west-central coastal California and the central Sierra Nevada (including the east side of Lake Tahoe basin) and Washoe County, Nevada (Vindum and Arnold 1997). It also ranges southward in the Rocky Mountains to northern Idaho and western Montana. Disjunct populations occurs in several areas in south-central Oregon, northeastern Calofornia, and northwestern Nevada (Stebbins 2003). The western edge of the distribution includes some small coastal islands (Stebbins 2003). The elevational range extends from sea level to around 3,200 m (Stebbins 2003).
Occurrences Comments
Nussbaum et al. (1983) mapped more than 200 locations where this species has been found.
Threat Impact Comments
The primary threat may be outright destruction of habitat. The species tolerates some habitat disturbances such as logging. Nussbaum et al. (1983) stated that the introduction of the cinnabar moth for weed (tansy ragweed) control may have adverse effects on northern alligator lizards. The moths are reported to be highly poisonous to the lizards.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Habitat includes open areas in coniferous forest, grassy grown-over areas at margins of woodlands, clearcuts, and areas along streams; along coast this lizard sometimes occurs far from trees or major cover; it is associated with rock outcrops and talus in some areas (Lais 1976).

Reproduction

Apparently mates in April and May. Litter size averages 4-6, depending on locality. One litter per year. Females sexually mature in 32-44 months in northern California.
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceousBare rock/talus/scree
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN4
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonS5Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
NevadaS2Yes
IdahoS3Yes
UtahSNRYes
OregonS5Yes
MontanaS3Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentHigh (continuing)
1.2 - Commercial & industrial areasHigh (continuing)
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureHigh (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesHigh (continuing)

Roadless Areas (224)
California (119)
AreaForestAcres
AgnewSequoia National Forest9,561
Bell MeadowStanislaus National Forest7,968
Bell QuinbyShasta-Trinity National Forest11,556
Big Butte ShinboneSix Rivers National Forest1,102
Black ButteMendocino National Forest15,461
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest15,102
Blue Creek Rare ISix Rivers National Forest12,134
Board CampSix Rivers National Forest4,527
Bonanza KingShasta-Trinity National Forest16,402
BoulderKlamath National Forest435
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Caples CreekEldorado National Forest17,854
Carson - IcebergStanislaus National Forest56,430
Castle Crags AShasta-Trinity National Forest113
Castle Crags BShasta-Trinity National Forest1,619
Castle PeakTahoe National Forest14,974
ChanchelullaShasta-Trinity National Forest3,915
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
ChinquapinShasta-Trinity National Forest22,040
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Condrey Mtn.Klamath National Forest2,923
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest22,627
Cow CreekSix Rivers National Forest1,271
Coyote NorthInyo National Forest11,932
Coyote SoutheastInyo National Forest53,159
DardanellesEldorado National Forest8,110
Dennison PeakSequoia National Forest6,293
Devil GulchSierra National Forest30,490
Devils RockShasta-Trinity National Forest16,209
Dinkey LakesSierra National Forest34,171
Dog CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest5,001
DomeStanislaus National Forest11,085
Domeland Add.Sequoia National Forest3,046
EagleShasta-Trinity National Forest6,553
EagleStanislaus National Forest16,116
East ForkShasta-Trinity National Forest6,201
East GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest27,894
East YubaTahoe National Forest17,968
EbbettsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest255
Elk CreekMendocino National Forest23,182
Fawn LakeEldorado National Forest1,153
Granite ChiefTahoe National Forest6,546
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest28,226
GriderKlamath National Forest10,647
GrindstoneMendocino National Forest26,031
Grouse LakesTahoe National Forest19,085
Heart LakeLassen National Forest9,349
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Hoover - Virginia LksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,050
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
IshiLassen National Forest21,805
Jennie LakeSequoia National Forest2,388
JohnsonKlamath National Forest10,652
KangarooKlamath National Forest40,617
KellySix Rivers National Forest5,195
KelseyKlamath National Forest3,237
Kettle Mtn.Shasta-Trinity National Forest4,589
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
Lake EleanorShasta-Trinity National Forest397
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
MayfieldLassen National Forest14,444
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
Middle YubaTahoe National Forest7,379
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
Mill CreekLassen National Forest7,587
MonarchSierra National Forest697
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. EddyShasta-Trinity National Forest7,232
Mt. LassicSix Rivers National Forest6,643
Mt. RebaStanislaus National Forest3,869
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
NightStanislaus National Forest3,173
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest38,495
North Fork Middle Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest11,245
North Fork SmithSix Rivers National Forest37,898
North LakeInyo National Forest2,406
Orleans Mtn.Klamath National Forest49,090
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
Orleans Mtn. CSix Rivers National Forest15,589
PacksaddleSix Rivers National Forest3,862
PattisonShasta-Trinity National Forest29,299
Penney RidgeShasta-Trinity National Forest5,226
Pilot CreekSix Rivers National Forest9,192
PortugueseKlamath National Forest18,915
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Raymond PeakStanislaus National Forest3,646
RinconSequoia National Forest54,610
RubiconEldorado National Forest4,872
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
San JoaquinSierra National Forest22,474
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
Siskiyou BSix Rivers National Forest18,871
Skeleton GladeMendocino National Forest9,237
Slate CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest6,636
Slate Mtn.Sequoia National Forest12,299
SnoozerKlamath National Forest23,414
Snow MountainMendocino National Forest14,457
SoliderSix Rivers National Forest14,918
South ForkShasta-Trinity National Forest16,786
South SierraSequoia National Forest8,008
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
Table Mtn.Inyo National Forest4,215
ThatcherMendocino National Forest16,652
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
Tragedy - Elephants BackEldorado National Forest20,866
Trail LakeLassen National Forest1,124
Ukonom CreekKlamath National Forest4,621
WaterhouseStanislaus National Forest4,394
Weaver BallyShasta-Trinity National Forest829
West GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest37,516
West YubaTahoe National Forest16,059
Wild Cattle MtnLassen National Forest4,965
Wilderness ContiguousMendocino National Forest3,606
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest41,445
Idaho (2)
AreaForestAcres
Bighorn - WeitasNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest254,845
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
Montana (18)
AreaForestAcres
Allan Mountain (01946)Bitterroot National Forest104,184
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
BurdetteLolo National Forest16,018
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Clear CreekLolo National Forest5,538
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
Deadhorse Ridge Ra 1128Flathead National Forest23,648
Gold Hill West #176Kootenai National Forest15,079
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Lebeau RA 1507Flathead National Forest5,450
Patricks Knob - North CutoffLolo National Forest16,970
Rock CreekKootenai National Forest806
Saddle Mountain #168Kootenai National Forest14,675
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Sheep Mountain - StatelineLolo National Forest37,844
South Siegel - South CutoffLolo National Forest13,474
Willard Estelle #173Kootenai National Forest3,714
Nevada (2)
AreaForestAcres
Rose - Davis Mdw.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,361
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Oregon (30)
AreaForestAcres
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
Cougar BluffUmpqua National Forest5,574
DoneganUmpqua National Forest5,914
EagleMt. Hood National Forest16,841
Echo MountainWillamette National Forest8,098
French Pete (a)Willamette National Forest1,668
LakeMt. Hood National Forest1,327
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
MarshWinema National Forest1,226
Mclennon MountainWillamette National Forest8,085
Menagerie (rooster Rock)Willamette National Forest374
Middle SantiamWillamette National Forest7,316
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest18,401
Mt. Hood AdditionsMt. Hood National Forest13,061
North KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests91,560
Opal CreekWillamette National Forest5,417
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
Salmon - HuckleberryMt. Hood National Forest17,570
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Sky Lakes BWinema National Forest9,615
South KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests104,477
TahkenitchSiuslaw National Forest5,799
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Umpqua SpitSiuslaw National Forest2,090
W. BoundaryWinema National Forest2,345
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
Wind CreekMt. Hood National Forest5,438
WoahinkSiuslaw National Forest5,309
Washington (53)
AreaForestAcres
Abercrombie - HooknoseColville National Forest33,862
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest57,104
BackboneGifford Pinchot National Forest1,201
Bear CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest7,980
Big Lava BedGifford Pinchot National Forest19,043
Blue LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest11,359
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
Canyon CreekWenatchee National Forest7,983
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Dark DivideGifford Pinchot National Forest52,483
Devils GulchWenatchee National Forest24,419
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Gotchen CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest7,518
Granite MountainOkanogan National Forest27,428
Grassy TopColville National Forest10,302
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests13,485
Heather LakeWenatchee National Forest10,628
Higgins MountainMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest13,185
Jefferson RidgeOlympic National Forest6,512
Jupiter RidgeOlympic National Forest10,148
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
LightningOlympic National Forest7,179
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest66,344
Madison CreekOlympic National Forest1,223
ManastashWenatchee National Forest11,155
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Mt. Baker WestMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest25,390
Mt. BaldyOlympic National Forest3,557
Nason RidgeWenatchee National Forest19,329
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
PompeyGifford Pinchot National Forest23,985
QuartzWenatchee National Forest8,550
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
Salmo - Priest BColville National Forest11,869
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Silver StarGifford Pinchot National Forest7,779
Slide RidgeWenatchee National Forest11,430
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
TiffanyOkanogan National Forest22,045
TumwaterGifford Pinchot National Forest8,676
Twin LakesWenatchee National Forest22,496
WobblyGifford Pinchot National Forest6,335
References (17)
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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]
  6. Good, D. A. 1988a. Allozyme variation and phylogenetic relationships among the species of <i>Elgaria </i> (Squamata: Anguidae). Herpetologica 44:154-62.
  7. Good, D. A. 1988b. Phylogenetic relationships among gerrhonotine lizards: an analysis of external morphology. University of California Publication Zoology 121.
  8. Lais, P. M. 1976. <i>Gerrhonotus coeruleus</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 178.1-178.4.
  9. 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.
  10. Nussbaum, R.A., E.D. Brodie, Jr., and R.M. Storm. 1983. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. University Press of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. 332 pp.
  11. Rutherford, P. L., and P. T. Gregory. 2003. Habitat use and movement patterns of northern alligator lizards (<i>Elgaria coerulea</i>) and western skinks (<i>Eumces skiltonianus</i>) in southeastern British Columbia. Journal of Herpetology 37:98-106.
  12. Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.
  13. Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
  14. Stewart, J. R. 1985. Growth and survivorship in a California population of <i>Gerrhonotus coeruleus</i>, with comments on intraspecific variation in adult female size. Am. Midl. Nat. 113:30-44.
  15. St. John, A. 2002. Reptiles of the northwest. Lone Pine Publishing, Renton, Washington. 272 pp.
  16. Vindum, J. V., and E. N. Arnold. 1997. The northern alligator lizard (<i>Elgaria coerulea</i>) from Nevada. Herpetological Review 28:100.
  17. Washington Herp Atlas. 2009 (map products updated March 2017). A cooperative effort of Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service. 250 pp.