Corralitas Drive: Garden Visitor

Photo: Shawnda Thomas Faveau, summer 2010. Probably not an Alligator Lizard looking for grub. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Earlier this summer, Red Car Property neighbor, Shawnda Thomas Faveau had an unusual visitor. While working in her garden, Shawnda caught sight of what looked like a little dinosaur. It did not appear to be an Alligator Lizard, one of the most common species seen in the neighborhood.

A quick review of CalHerps, the online guide to reptiles in California, suggests the lizard is a type of Fence Lizard (Sceloporus) because of the reflective blue spot under its chin. It may also be a type of Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus). According to CalHerps, Collared Lizards are "often described as looking like a small dinosaur".

If you can help identify the species, please send us an email: redcarproperty@gmail.com.

This week, we're looking at backyard wildlife in the Red Car Property neighborhood.