The Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata), or Lagarto escorpión sureño in Spanish, is a non-venomous lizard native to San Diego County. Making its home in open forest, grassland, and chaparral, the Southern Alligator Lizard can be found in almost any natural habitat in California and northern Baja California, Mexico. Don’t be surprised if you find one or more in your backyard.

To learn more about the Southern Alligator Lizard, visit the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Amphibian and Reptile Atlas of Peninsular California. 

Did you know? Not only can this lizard grow its tail back after losing it, but it also has a prehensile tail, meaning it can grab on to branches by wrapping its tail around them.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bradford D. Hollingsworth, SDNHM