HumboldtHerps.com
ELGARIA - SIGHTINGS
When we first started taking note of alligator lizards in the local area, it was
strictly with the use of cameras. When certain pictures didn't turn out we lost
an accurate specimen count because we hadn't taken a notepad along.
Lessons learned!
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STINKY BEACH (Humboldt County) - APRIL 2006 Northwestern/Shasta intergrade
Stinky Beach, so named because of a rendering plant once nearby, may be accessed by taking the Elk River Rd. exit off of
Hwy 101 near the south end of Eureka, CA and keeping west of the bridge. The road basically ends in a park and ride lot
but continues a little ways to a trailhead before and to the left of the abandoned plant. The trail meets the old railroad tracks,
and these are followed south until the bridge over the Elk River is passed. Here on the right the "Stinky Beach" peninsula
begins its northwest jut into Humboldt Bay. Facing west one can see the access to the Pacific between both north and
south jetties; in fact wave action on this face of the bay is considerable at times - enough to regularly wash up fresh
driftwood. The shoreline veers up into dune formations which give way to local dune grasses (unfortunately invasive
pampas grass has begun to take hold) which in turn turns to marsh grass towards the river outlet. Near the end of the
peninsula there is a brackish freshwater pond surrounded by trees and shrubs. Finding alligators at Stinky Beach began as
a byproduct of trying to find a good spot to go fishing for red-tail perch with my friend Lance.
The Northwestern Alligator Lizards we find at Stinky Beach appear to show characteristics of both the Northwestern and
Shasta subspecies: not quite the bright overall yellow-orange flush found in "classic" Shasta males, but more subtle
variations of the sort, including attractive gold-yellows; presence of the gray head of Shasta males; as well as the
Northwestern traits of dorsal blotching and overall darker tones of melanin (including hypermelanistic traits).
These lizards are mostly found in driftwood piles small and large closer to the inland side of the peninsula (near the pond)
avoiding the wetter marsh grasses near the high tide mark. Here they share their habitat with Pacific Tree Frogs. They may
also be found towards the bay side in the dunes providing there are larger woodpiles or logs available; this side is less
sheltered from the coastal winds, so small cover offers little shelter from the elements; no frogs here.
The April outings were during partially cloudy weather which averaged in the high 60's during the mid-late afternoon.
Each of the following pictures is an individual specimen.
April 17, 2006
April 19, 2006
April 24, 2006
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OROVILLE, CA (Butte County) California Alligator Lizard
June 17, 2006 We found this gem under a piece of plywood in some grassy oak woodland behind "The
Oaks" retirement development in Oroville. It was fat, and its shape and size appeared to be
that of a male, although it almost looked as if it were a gravid female (early for a Southern in
our range, but not necessarily for one in Butte County; summer often arrives early).
See additional photo on page Elgaria (2)
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KINGS RANGE - Coastal dunes south of the mouth of the Mattole River (Southern Humboldt County)
October 9, 2006 Northwestern/Shasta intergrade
This Northern Alligator Lizard was found among the giant "driftwood" logs that separate
individual camping sites at the Mattole Campground. We don't know exactly how you would
describe this specimen. The fusion of bands and spots with the dorsal and lower lateral
yellows suggests a strikingly beautiful mutt!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
KNEELAND - Open range embankments along the sides of Kneeland Road (Humboldt County)
March 25, 2007 Oregon Alligator Lizard
Beware of cattle! The Kneeland to Bridgeville trek is a mostly single track road
(25-35mph) that courses through miles and miles of private land and open
range. Access to prime alligator lizard habitat is often impeded by no
trespassing signs. During this particularly foggy Sunday drive in the country,
heading just south of the Kneeland school where the road truly begins to wind and the land
opens up into grassy hillsides wooded with oak, I pondered. Certainly I wouldn't get shot if I just stepped off of the road a
bit. And so... I searched under fallen wood and bark on the declines (that drained into streamlets) near the perimeter of
the road and found nothing - too soggy. Level areas were unsuccessful as well. Then, on the other side of the road where
the hills continued to rise I saw some oaks upon a hillock with a lot of wooden debris. Moisture in the air was heavy, and
rain was expected , but here, because of the rise in the hill, excess water was well-drained, and much of the substrate
underneath the debris was kept dry. It wasn't long before I found my first 3 Oregon Alligators!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
STUART FORK CREEK - Trail to Morris Meadows, Trinity Alps (Trinity County) July 4, 2007 (5:42PM)
Shasta Alligator Lizard
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HUNTER CREEK - Grassy edge of dry river bed, 1 mile east of Hwy 101 (Del Norte County)
August 6, 2007 Northwestern Alligator Lizard
This was my first sighting of the "classic" Northwestern. Rich dorsal browns
with black dorsal spots. We found two of these lizards (One was too quick for
the camera!) underneath a pile of large half-rotted logs around four o' clock in
the afternoon. The day was a mix of cool balminess (mid-60's F), and the sky was overcast. The pictured specimen was
lethargic from the cool retreat from which we had snatched it, however, a couple of minutes in my warm hands was all it
took to transform the lizard into a bona-fide "wriggle-worm." We, of course, returned the lizard back to its log-pile sanctuary.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.
strictly with the use of cameras. When certain pictures didn't turn out we lost
an accurate specimen count because we hadn't taken a notepad along.
Lessons learned!
___________________________________________________________________
STINKY BEACH (Humboldt County) - APRIL 2006 Northwestern/Shasta intergrade
Stinky Beach, so named because of a rendering plant once nearby, may be accessed by taking the Elk River Rd. exit off of
Hwy 101 near the south end of Eureka, CA and keeping west of the bridge. The road basically ends in a park and ride lot
but continues a little ways to a trailhead before and to the left of the abandoned plant. The trail meets the old railroad tracks,
and these are followed south until the bridge over the Elk River is passed. Here on the right the "Stinky Beach" peninsula
begins its northwest jut into Humboldt Bay. Facing west one can see the access to the Pacific between both north and
south jetties; in fact wave action on this face of the bay is considerable at times - enough to regularly wash up fresh
driftwood. The shoreline veers up into dune formations which give way to local dune grasses (unfortunately invasive
pampas grass has begun to take hold) which in turn turns to marsh grass towards the river outlet. Near the end of the
peninsula there is a brackish freshwater pond surrounded by trees and shrubs. Finding alligators at Stinky Beach began as
a byproduct of trying to find a good spot to go fishing for red-tail perch with my friend Lance.
The Northwestern Alligator Lizards we find at Stinky Beach appear to show characteristics of both the Northwestern and
Shasta subspecies: not quite the bright overall yellow-orange flush found in "classic" Shasta males, but more subtle
variations of the sort, including attractive gold-yellows; presence of the gray head of Shasta males; as well as the
Northwestern traits of dorsal blotching and overall darker tones of melanin (including hypermelanistic traits).
These lizards are mostly found in driftwood piles small and large closer to the inland side of the peninsula (near the pond)
avoiding the wetter marsh grasses near the high tide mark. Here they share their habitat with Pacific Tree Frogs. They may
also be found towards the bay side in the dunes providing there are larger woodpiles or logs available; this side is less
sheltered from the coastal winds, so small cover offers little shelter from the elements; no frogs here.
The April outings were during partially cloudy weather which averaged in the high 60's during the mid-late afternoon.
Each of the following pictures is an individual specimen.
April 17, 2006
April 19, 2006
April 24, 2006
________________________________________________________________________________________________
OROVILLE, CA (Butte County) California Alligator Lizard
June 17, 2006 We found this gem under a piece of plywood in some grassy oak woodland behind "The
Oaks" retirement development in Oroville. It was fat, and its shape and size appeared to be
that of a male, although it almost looked as if it were a gravid female (early for a Southern in
our range, but not necessarily for one in Butte County; summer often arrives early).
See additional photo on page Elgaria (2)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
KINGS RANGE - Coastal dunes south of the mouth of the Mattole River (Southern Humboldt County)
October 9, 2006 Northwestern/Shasta intergrade
This Northern Alligator Lizard was found among the giant "driftwood" logs that separate
individual camping sites at the Mattole Campground. We don't know exactly how you would
describe this specimen. The fusion of bands and spots with the dorsal and lower lateral
yellows suggests a strikingly beautiful mutt!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
KNEELAND - Open range embankments along the sides of Kneeland Road (Humboldt County)
March 25, 2007 Oregon Alligator Lizard
Beware of cattle! The Kneeland to Bridgeville trek is a mostly single track road
(25-35mph) that courses through miles and miles of private land and open
range. Access to prime alligator lizard habitat is often impeded by no
trespassing signs. During this particularly foggy Sunday drive in the country,
heading just south of the Kneeland school where the road truly begins to wind and the land
opens up into grassy hillsides wooded with oak, I pondered. Certainly I wouldn't get shot if I just stepped off of the road a
bit. And so... I searched under fallen wood and bark on the declines (that drained into streamlets) near the perimeter of
the road and found nothing - too soggy. Level areas were unsuccessful as well. Then, on the other side of the road where
the hills continued to rise I saw some oaks upon a hillock with a lot of wooden debris. Moisture in the air was heavy, and
rain was expected , but here, because of the rise in the hill, excess water was well-drained, and much of the substrate
underneath the debris was kept dry. It wasn't long before I found my first 3 Oregon Alligators!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
STUART FORK CREEK - Trail to Morris Meadows, Trinity Alps (Trinity County) July 4, 2007 (5:42PM)
Shasta Alligator Lizard
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
HUNTER CREEK - Grassy edge of dry river bed, 1 mile east of Hwy 101 (Del Norte County)
August 6, 2007 Northwestern Alligator Lizard
This was my first sighting of the "classic" Northwestern. Rich dorsal browns
with black dorsal spots. We found two of these lizards (One was too quick for
the camera!) underneath a pile of large half-rotted logs around four o' clock in
the afternoon. The day was a mix of cool balminess (mid-60's F), and the sky was overcast. The pictured specimen was
lethargic from the cool retreat from which we had snatched it, however, a couple of minutes in my warm hands was all it
took to transform the lizard into a bona-fide "wriggle-worm." We, of course, returned the lizard back to its log-pile sanctuary.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.
Elgaria
juvenile older juvenile yellow male nw spotting
juvenile older juvenile dorsal spots on yellow yellow male hypermelanistic gold-yellow
older juvenile increased black
juvenile juvenile belly sub-adult juvenile
Two more of these lizards were
photographed on this day (too blurry)
and an additional one got away!
photographed on this day (too blurry)
and an additional one got away!
At least four more specimens are
missing from this day's counts.
missing from this day's counts.
We lost count of the additional specimens found on this
day as we were racing for low tide to catch sand crabs
day as we were racing for low tide to catch sand crabs
PICS AND COMMENTARY TO BE ADDED SOON
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PICS!
PICS!