The northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea) is a species of medium-sized lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is endemic to the North American west coast.
The northern alligator lizard was formerly known by the scientific name of Gerrhonotus coeruleus Wiegmann, 1828, but more recently has been assigned to the genus Elgaria.
Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[2]
A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Elgaria.
The subspecies E. c. principis is one of five species of lizards in Canada.
The subspecific name, palmeri, is in honor of American zoologist Theodore Sherman Palmer.[3]
The northern alligator lizard is a medium-sized slender lizard. Adults reach a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 10 cm (3.9 in) and a total length (including tail) of roughly 27.5 cm (10.8 in). It has a distinct skin fold on each side, separating the keeled scales on the back from the smooth ventral scales. The skin varies in color, but can be brown and white or greenish yellow and brown. Dorsally, E. coerulea is brownish in color and often has dark blotches that sometimes blend together into bands. The throat and mouth area of some young individuals can be yellow. The belly is light gray. The eyes are dark.
The typical diet of E. coerulea includes crickets, slugs, beetles, spiders, and moths, but it will also take larger prey, such as small lizards, and will even eat small baby mice if given the opportunity.
The northern alligator lizard is live-bearing, producing up to 15 young (typically 4–5), between June and September.[4] During the spring breeding season, a male lizard grasps the head of a female with his mouth until she is ready to let him mate with her. They can remain attached this way for many hours, almost oblivious to their surroundings. Besides keeping her from running off to mate with another male, this probably shows her how strong and suitable a mate he is.[5]
Ranges of The northern alligator lizard occurs along the Pacific Coast and in the Rocky Mountains from southern British Columbia through Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana south through Oregon to the coastal range and the Sierra Nevada in central California. As the map shows, the different subspecies have quite different geographic ranges, with E. c. principis being the most widely distributed, whereas E. c. coerulea occurs mainly around the San Francisco area but is also found farther north into Humboldt County.
The species is widely distributed along the Pacific coast and can be found from sea level up to elevation of about 3,350 m (10,990 ft). It is found in a variety of forested habitats and montane chaparral.
As winter sets in, colder temperatures force northern alligator lizards to undergo brumation. Brumation allows them to reduce caloric usage and retain body heat during winter.[6] Often, western alligator lizards choose to hide under rocks—though logs and burrows are occasionally used—to undergo this process. [7]
The northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea) is a species of medium-sized lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is endemic to the North American west coast.
El "lagarto aligator del norte" (Elgaria coerulea) es un lagarto de tamaño medio que occure en la costa occidental de Norteamérica.
Posteriormente, este lagarto fue conocido bajo el nombre científico de Gerrhonotus coeruleus (Wiegmann, 1828), pero hoy en día es conocido como Elgaria coerulea. Hay cuatro subespecies:
La subespecie E.c. principis es una de cinco especies de lagartos en Canadá.
Los lagartos Elgaria coerulea son lagartos esbeltos de tamaño medio. Los adultos pueden alcanzar 10 cm desde el hocico hasta la cloaca y una longitud total de 25 cm. Tienen pliegues de la piel distintas en sus ijadas que separan las escamas en la espalda de las ventrales. Son parduzcos en color y a menudo tienen manchas oscuras que a veces mezclan en bandas. La panza es gris clara. Los ojos son oscuros.
Elgaria coerulea occure en la costa pacífica y en las Montañas Rocosas del sur de Columbia Británica tras Washington, el norte de Idaho y el oeste de Montana, al sur tras Oregón al rango costal y la Sierra Nevada en el centro de California.
El "lagarto aligator del norte" (Elgaria coerulea) es un lagarto de tamaño medio que occure en la costa occidental de Norteamérica.
Elgaria coerulea Elgaria generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Anguidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Elgaria coerulea Elgaria generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Anguidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Elgaria coerulea
Elgaria coerulea, le Lézard-alligator boréal, est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Anguidae[1].
Cette espèce se rencontre en Californie, en Oregon, au Washington, en Idaho, au Montana et en Utah aux États-Unis et en Colombie-Britannique au Canada[1].
Selon Reptarium Reptile Database (30 mai 2012)[2] :
L'adulte mesure environ 10 cm, 25 cm avec la queue. Il se nourrit d'invertébrés (insectes, araignées, millepattes, escargots, …), et préfère les milieux humides.
Elgaria coerulea
Elgaria coerulea, le Lézard-alligator boréal, est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Anguidae.
Elgaria coerulea là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Anguidae. Loài này được Wiegmann mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1828.[1]
Bài viết liên quan đến bộ bò sát có vảy này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Elgaria coerulea là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Anguidae. Loài này được Wiegmann mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1828.
