Lizards, we only have one indigenous lizard on Vancouver Island, it’s the northern alligator lizard. We also have the European Wall Lizard here.
European Wall Lizards
The European Wall lizard, unlike the Alligator lizard, has a relatively flattened body with long limbs and very long toes. Like other species of Wall Lizards, they have an angular head and strong-looking jaw. Males are up to 23 cm in total length, and females are a bit smaller. They have a very long tail. Read More….
Northern Alligator Lizard
The Northern Alligator Lizards can be found on southern Vancouver Island, the southern interior, and parts of Washington and Oregon. Alligator Lizards commonly are found in fir and hemlock forests, both on the coast and in the interior. Look along rivers with lots of rock outcrops, lizards use these features for basking in the sun. Read More….
This alligator lizard can be found on southern Vancouver Island up as far as Campbell River. It is a short-legged lizard with a long body, it looks a lot like an actual miniature alligator. They can grow up to 20 cm long. Adults are grayish with a lighter-coloured belly. They will sometimes have dark marks or a wide bronze stripe running down along the back. There is a fold of skin running along the sides that allows them to expand as they breathe.
These lizards are not seen very often and if caught they will force out a bad-smelling liquid from their vent. Sometimes in desperation, they drop their tail and run away. They spent the winter hibernating and in the spring, in place of a mating display, the males would run down a female, grab her head in his mouth, throw her down and mate with her. This can go on for hours, and it’s quite brutal. They have a live birth. The female will not mate again for 2 to 3 years.
During the summer they can be seen sunning in large groups on hot rocks. This leaves them open to predators. They, in turn, feed on various insects, spiders, snails, and millipedes.
Alligator Lizards are found in southern B.C. and the Gulf Islands, plus the southern half of Vancouver Island. Northern Alligator lizards prefer to live in Douglas fir and hemlock forests and do well on our Island.
European Wall Lizards are an invasive species. This lizard, unlike the Alligator lizard, has a relatively flattened body with long limbs. Like other species of Wall Lizards, they have an angular head and strong-looking jaw. Males are up to 23 cm in total length, and females are a bit smaller. They have a very long tail.
They are green or brown with black blotches on their backs, and their bellies are light brown with spots that are more pronounced at the throat. The sides of the males have bright blue spots running down. The females can have these blue spots, but they are usually less bright.
