Northern Alligator Lizard {Elgaria coeruled). 



Description: One of two lizard species in western Montana, the Northern Alligator Lizard is a 

 member of the Anguidae family. The family is characterized by having elongate bodies, 

 relatively short limbs and a lateral skin fold on each side of the body. Adult Northern 

 alligator lizards range from 9-14 cm in snout- vent length. The head is broader and more 

 triangular in males than females. The eyes have considerable black pigment. Although most 

 species of Elgaria have distinct black and brown bands running across the dorsal surface, the 

 bands are broken and indistinct in the Montana specimens. The ventral surface has a series of 

 longitudinal dark lines located at the scale junctions. Females give birth to 2-15 living young 

 (Stebbins 1985), which have a more distinct banding pattern on the dorsal surface than the 

 adults. 



Habitat and Habits: The Alligator Lizard is found in a variety of habitats, including under logs in 

 dry open forests, near streams in moist, cool forests, and around buildings. They have been 

 seen m rocky, open Ponderosa forests in all BNF Districts, usually below 6000' elevation in 

 the Bitterroot Mountains. The two sightings in 1995 were of single animals in talus slopes at 

 Blodgett Canyon on 10 May, and near McCalla Creek on 20 Jvme. Little is known about 

 reproduction in this part of their range; it is assumed that they mate in spring and that the 

 yoimg are bom in late summer. They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on a variety of small 

 insects and other invertebrates. 



Surveying: Although various lizard traps and mark/recapture techniques have been designed, 

 probably the best approach is to visit known sites, especially on warm, sunny days, and allow 

 considerable time just to sit and watch the area for activity. 



Status: Records exist for all Districts of the BNF, but there remain few records from the 

 Sapphire Moimtains. The Northern Alligator Lizard is probably more widespread and 

 abimdant on the BNF than current data indicate. Given the paucity of sightings, it is 

 recommended that all sight records be reported to the Heritage Program and kept on file. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program Rank: G5 S3. 



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