Description: The Madrean Alligator Lizard is a large (to 5.5 inches), shiny, long-bodied lizard with relatively small limbs and a long, thick tail. The back and belly are armored with stiff, rectangular, plate-like scales. A soft fold of skin on each side allows the body to expand for breathing. Coloration is gray or tan with chocolate or reddish brown crossbars that have dark posterior edges. Often has crisp white markings on the sides of the face. Young have crisp, nearly black banding on the body and tail and dark coloration on the limbs, feet, and lower sides.
Description Credited to Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists
Habitat: Habitats include pine-oak woodlands, riparian areas of canyon floors in mountain ranges, juniper-grassland, chaparral, high dry grassland, oak woodland, open pine-fir forest, and talus; this is primarily a montane species, but it also occurs along major drainages in desert (e.g., creosotebush) and grassland. The lizards hide among logs, rocks, dense vegetation, and leaf litter.
Range:Elgaria kingii is found from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, United States, southward to Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, southeastern Zacatecas, and southwestern Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Reproduction: Lays a clutch of 9-15 eggs June-July.
Status: Listed as Least Concern because of the broad geographic range, large number of populations, wide range of habitats, and lack of evidence suggesting a significant decline in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, or abundance.
Subspecies: Three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies. Only one is found in the United States Arizona Alligator LizardElgaria kingii nobilis
Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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