General Description: Southern Alligator Lizards (Elgaria multicarinata) are medium-sized, tan lizards with dark brown, distinct crossbars on the dorsum. The dorsal scales are keeled, and the neck is long. The eye is yellow. A fold of skin separates the dorsal and ventral scales.

Taxonomy: Alligator Lizard Family (Anguidae). Subspecific taxonomy apparently is in flux, as the genetics do not match currently recognized subspecies boundaries. These photos were taken in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Where to Find: Don't look for Southern Alligator Lizards around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them in moist places along the Pacific Coast from southern Oregon to northern Baja California, and also in south-central Washington and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.