Alligator Lizard

The first one I've seen this season, this Alligator Lizard was under a piece of bark and stood still long enough for a couple of good close-ups.  Sadly, she's lost her tail at least once - note the scar and interruption in the thickness of the tail - so she's not likely to reproduce this year.  It simply takes too much energy to grow a new tail.  When we lived in northern Mendocino County we often found ones whose tail was 2/3 of their total length (third photo), sometimes over a foot. You might get bit if you attempt to pick one up, but, if you're gentle, they usually hand-tame rather quickly.  Be careful of that tail!