He was a bit lethargic, not reacting to me getting close until I was about to poke him to see if he was still alive and suddenly he took off like a bolt of lightening. I looked for pics on the internet and figured out that he is a California Aligator Lizard. Here's some facts I found out about him: Alligator lizards sport a flat, wedge-shaped head. The legs are small, thin, and end in five fine toes. Their scales are large for lizards which is what gives them the name of Aligator Lizards. Their color is pale to medium brown with darker crossbands. They shed in one piece, like a snake. Generally they eat snails, other lizards, eggs or small birds. I did find out that they can be fearless in self defense and will bite. Pretty cool........
For some reason I prefer lizards to snakes, but this guys throws me for a loop!
ReplyDeleteHi, Everybody. Love this blog!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for Alligator Lizards, I have thought for years that I knew Alligator Lizards intimately, protect them from predators, and protect the lower food chain lizards from them. This site:
http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/lizardspics.html
..shows what I have always recognized as the Alligator Lizard: the ones called 'California Alligator Lizard' and 'San Diego Alligator Lizard'. Yes they bite and they eat prey which is often the little Blue Belly lizards, other smaller lizards, crickets, earwigs (which I love btw!), and various insects.
I have seen about five of the California Legless Lizards of both colors on my property, and wondered what in the world they were. Thanks to this blog, I now know what they are. I had thought they were some kind of snake (which I also love!) Thank you!
Willow Morningsky