Thanks, Kolby, for the comment. Yes I believe the reptiles that share the yard with us are southern alligator lizards, Elgaria multicarinata "something", maybe webbii; why not? This one was half-basking in the sun and looked so beautifully colored and shiny. A benefit to having a garden that's at least half-way messy is the critters like this lizard can use the habitat. These lizards hide in the leaf litter as seen here, and lay eggs somewhere unseen; they also climb up into the shrubbery on occasion. I have never handled one of these, but I can imagine they must have a healthy bite. I just leave them alone so they'll feel safe enough to breed in my yard. How can one tell this is a male? I wonder. Pretty soon I expect to see couples of them mating, then in late spring the little tiny lizards occasionally cross my path.
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That's a beautiful San Diego Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata webbii) you got there! Looks like this male just molted. I'm sure you know this, but they bite hard! I still remember their bite when I caught them as a kid in Sacramento.
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