Madrean alligator lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madrean alligator lizard |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Elgaria
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| Species: |
kingii
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The Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii) is a fascinating type of lizard. It belongs to a group of lizards called Anguidae, often known as "alligator lizards" because of their tough scales. This lizard is special because it is endemic, meaning it naturally lives only in a specific area: the southwestern United States and the nearby northwestern part of Mexico.
The Story Behind Its Name
The second part of this lizard's scientific name, kingii, was chosen to honor a person. It was named after Phillip Parker King. He was an officer in the Royal Navy who was born in Australia. King was known for exploring and mapping the coasts of South America.
Where Do Madrean Alligator Lizards Live?
You can find the Elgaria kingii in a specific region of North America. In the United States, they live in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Their home range extends south into Mexico. There, they are found in states like Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, southeastern Zacatecas, and southwestern Aguascalientes.
Different Types of Madrean Alligator Lizards
Within the Madrean alligator lizard species, scientists recognize three different types, called subspecies. These subspecies are slightly different from each other but are still part of the same main species.
- Elgaria kingii ferruginea (Webb, 1962)
- Elgaria kingii kingii Gray, 1838
- Elgaria kingii nobilis Baird & Girard, 1852
When you see a name like (Webb, 1962) in parentheses, it means something interesting. It tells us that the subspecies was first described and named in a different genus (a larger group) than Elgaria. Later, scientists moved it into the Elgaria genus.
