August sunset

San Diego alligator lizard

We caught this little lizard in the bathroom this morning!  I suspect that it is a juvenile alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata), though rather larger than the ones in the photos at California Herps, perhaps about 7 inches (18 cm).  Its tail is very long -- perhaps the lizard has never lost it.  Its profile looks very different in the bottom photo, but perhaps this is at least partly due to the distortion at the rim of the glass bowl we caught it in.

We photographed it before setting it loose outside.

Update: Gary at California Herps tells me that it is a juvenile San Diego alligator lizard (E. multicarinata webbii), and probably still with its original tail.  The San Diego is the longest subspecies of Southern Alligator Lizard -- up to 16 inches total length -- and is widely found throughout southern California, in the wild in grassland, open forest, and chaparral, and though somewhat secretive are also often seen in suburban yards and garages.

August morning

At the Janet Evans Swim Complex on Valencia Ave., during swimming lessons.

August evening