Rescuing An Alligator

A garage can be a dangerous place when you're a young reptile. What looks cool, quiet and safe, can be a food desert.

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This juvenile southern alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) is an effective hunter of insects and other arthropods in the yard, but the garage was nearly its doom. It just took a moment to scoop it up and move it outside where it belonged.

A few weeks later we had a minute with an adult alligator lizard that is probably this little guy's mother.

Lizards are great backyard wildlife. They interact with each other:
Watching Lizards in Southern CA

And with other species in the yard:
Backyard Buddies ... Reptile Style

Though small right now, this alligator lizard will grow up to prey on the western fence lizards. (When an alligator lizard hunts its neighbors.) It's a jungle in our suburban yard.

More Earth Minutes with lizards:
Spotting a Lace Monitor in the Wild

There's always something new to discover at TheEarthMinute.com