Head to head
Northern Alligator Lizard vs Southern Alligator Lizard
A northern alligator lizard and a southern alligator lizard are closely related Pacific coast lizards that split their range roughly along a climate line, each adapting its biology to noticeably different conditions.
| Northern Alligator Lizard | Southern Alligator Lizard | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Elgaria coerulea | Elgaria multicarinata |
| Climate tolerance | Notably cold-tolerant | Warmer chaparral and woodland |
| Reproduction | Live-bearing | Varies, some populations live-bearing |
| Tail | Long, muscular, gripping | Genuinely prehensile, extra-limb-like |
| Range | Pacific Northwest, N. California to BC | California and adjacent western N. America |
| Suburban tolerance | Not especially noted | High, thrives in gardens |
| Body shape | Skin fold along the sides | Long, snake-like, short legs |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Northern Alligator Lizard vs Southern Alligator Lizard: common questions
Which of these two alligator lizards tolerates colder conditions?
The northern alligator lizard tolerates notably cooler temperatures than most lizards, including the southern alligator lizard, remaining active at higher elevations and more northern latitudes across the Pacific Northwest, while the southern alligator lizard is restricted to the warmer chaparral and woodland habitat of California and nearby regions.
Which alligator lizard has the more useful tail for climbing?
The southern alligator lizard has the more remarkable tail, described as genuinely prehensile and capable of gripping branches almost like an extra limb, while the northern alligator lizard's tail, though long and muscular, is generally described in terms of balance and grip support rather than this same extra-limb-like function.
Which of these two lizards is more likely to be found in a backyard?
The southern alligator lizard is far more likely to turn up in a backyard, adapting readily to suburban gardens and landscaped areas across California, while the northern alligator lizard remains more closely tied to forest and mountain habitat across the cooler Pacific Northwest.