Editing Southern alligator lizard

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Southern alligator lizard
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Hammerson, G.A. |author2=Hollingsworth, B. |date=2007 |title=''Elgaria multicarinata'' |volume=2007 |page=e.T63703A12707115 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63703A12707115.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = Elgaria_multicarinata.jpg
| image_caption = 
| genus = Elgaria
| species = multicarinata
| authority = ([[Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville|Blainville]], 1835)
| range_map = Elgaria multicarinata distribution (IUCN).png
| synonyms = *''Cordylus (Gerrhonotus) multi-carinatus'' {{small|Blainville, 1835}}
*''Gerrhonotus multicarinatus'' {{small|(Blainville, 1835)}}
}}

The '''southern alligator lizard''' ('''''Elgaria multicarinata''''') is a common [[species]] of [[lizard]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Anguidae]]. The species is native to the Pacific coast of [[North America]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /><ref name="sdz">{{cite web|title=Summary - Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) Fact Sheet|url=https://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/southernalligatorlizard|work=San Diego Zoo Factsheets|publisher=[[San Diego Zoo]]|access-date=April 6, 2019|date=December 11, 2018}}</ref> It ranges from Baja California to the state of Washington and lives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, chaparral, forests, and even urban areas.<ref name=sdz/><ref name="stebbins" /> In dry climates, it is likely to be found in moist areas or near streams.<ref name=sdz/>  There are five recognized [[subspecies]].

==Subspecies==
The following five subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the [[nominotypical subspecies]].<ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species |genus=Elgaria |species=multicarinata |access-date=16 February 2021}}</ref>
*''Elgaria multicarinata ignava'' {{small|([[John Van Denburgh|Van Denburgh]], 1905)}}
*''Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata'' {{small|([[Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville|Blainville]], 1835)}}
*''Elgaria multicarinata nana'' {{small|([[Henry Sheldon Fitch|Fitch]], 1934)}}
*''Elgaria multicarinata scincicauda'' {{small|([[Avery Judd Skilton|Skilton]], 1849)}}
*''Elgaria multicarinata webbii'' {{small|([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]], 1859)}}

==Taxonomy and etymology==
The [[Genus|generic]] name ''Elgaria'' is possibly named for an "Elgar" or a pun on "alligator." The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]] ''multicarinata'' refers to the keeled scales characteristic of this species.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = California Alligator Lizard - ''Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata ''|url = http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/e.m.multicarinata.html|website = www.californiaherps.com|access-date = 2015-12-28}}</ref> The common name "alligator lizard" is a reference to the fact that the back and belly scales of these lizards are reinforced by bone, as they are in alligators.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://www.saczoo.org/Document.Doc?id=143|title = Sacramento Zoo -- Alligator Lizard|date = |access-date = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131041/http://www.saczoo.org/Document.Doc?id=143 | archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref>

The subspecific name ''webbii'' is in honor of [[Thomas Hopkins Webb]] (1801–1866) who was Secretary of the [[United States and Mexican Boundary Survey]] (1848–1855).<ref>Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Elgaria multicarinata webbii'', p. 280).</ref> The subspecific name ''scincicauda'' means "skink tail".

==Description==
[[File:Southernalligatorlizard2.jpg|left|thumb|Adult southern alligator lizard, San Joaquin County California|230x230px]]
The southern alligator lizard measures from {{convert|3|to|7|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} in [[snout-to-vent length]] (SVL). Including tail, it can reach a foot in length (30&nbsp;cm).<ref name="stebbins">[[Robert C. Stebbins|Stebbins Robert C.]] (2003). ''A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition''. The Peterson Field Guide Series ®. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin. xiii + 533 pp. {{ISBN|0-395-98272-3}}. (''Elgaria multicarinata'', pp. 331–332 + Plate 41 + Map 124).</ref> It has a round thick body with small legs and a long somewhat [[prehensile]] tail that can be twice as long as the lizard's body.<ref name="sdz" />  Like many lizards, this species can [[autotomy|drop its tail]] if attacked, possibly giving it a chance to flee. It lives on average 10 to 15 years, and survives well in captivity.<ref name="sdz" />

The color of this species is variable, and can be brown, gray, green, or yellowish above, often with red blotches on the middle of the back. Usually there are between 9 and 13 dark crossbands on the back, sides, and tail, with adjacent white spots. These crossbands can be pronounced or covered with reddish or yellowish color.<ref name="stebbins" /><ref name=":0" />

The scales of ''E. multicarinata'' are [[keeled scales|keeled]] on the back, sides, and legs. There are 14 rows of scales across the back at the middle of the body. A band of smaller granular scales separates the larger scales on the back and stomach, creating a fold along each side of the animal. These folds allow the body to expand to hold food or eggs.<ref name=":0" />

==Geographic range and habitat==
The southern alligator lizard is native to the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from the state of Washington to Baja California. These lizards can be found across many diverse habitats, including grassland, open forest, chaparral, suburban and urban areas, and even into the desert along the Mojave River.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=2727|title = California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System -- Southern Alligator Lizard|date = |access-date = |website = |publisher = California Department of Fish and Wildlife|last = |first = }}</ref> This species is particularly common in foothill oak woodlands, and is often found hiding under rocks, logs, or other surface cover.<ref name=":0" />

==Diet==
''E. multicarinata'' eats small [[arthropods]], slugs, lizards, small mammals, and occasionally young birds and eggs.<ref name="stebbins" />

The southern alligator lizard frequently eats [[Latrodectus hesperus|western black widow spiders]], and has demonstrated an immunity to the spider's potent venom.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greenwood |first=Veronique |date=2022-10-18 |title=You See a Venomous Black Widow. These Lizards See a Snack. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/science/lizards-eating-black-widows.html |access-date=2022-10-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Behavior and reproduction==
[[File:Southern Alligator Lizard Threat Display.jpg|left|thumb|Defensive display|233x233px]]
The southern alligator lizard frequently can be found near human habitation, and is often seen foraging in the mornings and evenings. It is often found in or around suburban yards and garages.<ref name=":0" /> ''E. multicarinata'' is notable for its vicious self-defense, and will bite and defecate if handled.<ref name="sdz" />

Mating occurs in spring, typically from April to May, though in warmer regions this species will breed year-round.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Eggs are usually laid between May and June and hatch during late summer and early fall.<ref name=":0" /> Females lay two clutches of eggs per year, often in decaying wood or plant matter to keep them warm. Females will guard the eggs until they hatch.<ref name=":1" />

==See also==
* [[Northern alligator lizard]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Elgaria multicarinata}}
*[https://www.werc.usgs.gov/OLDsitedata/fieldguide/elmu.htm Western Ecological Research Center: "''Elgaria multicarinatus'' ", the southern alligator lizard]
*[https://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/e.m.multicarinata.html Nafis, G. / californiaherps.com "''Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata'' ", the Forest Alligator Lizard (California Alligator Lizard)]

==Further reading==
*[[John L. Behler|Behler, John L.]]; King, F. Wayne (1979). ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians''. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. {{ISBN|0-394-50824-6}}. (''Gerrhonotus multicarinatus'', pp.&nbsp;542 + Plates 445, 449).
*[[Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville|Blainville, H.D.]] de (1835). "''Description de quelques espèces de reptiles de la Californie précédée de l'analyse d'un système général d'herpétologie et amphibiologie'' ". ''Nouvelles Annales du Muséum D'Histoire Naturelle'' '''4''': 233–296. ("''Cordylus (Gerrhonotus) multi-carinatus'' ", new species, p.&nbsp;289 + Plate XXV, figures 2, 2A, 2B, 2C). (in French).
*[[Hobart Muir Smith|Smith, Hobart M.]]; Brodie, Edmund D. Jr. (1982). ''Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification''. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. {{ISBN|0-307-13666-3}} (paperback), 0-307-47009-1 (hardcover). (''Elgaria multicarinata'', pp.&nbsp;88–89).

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2096735}}

[[Category:Elgaria]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Mexico]]
[[Category:Reptiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1835]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville]]