Semi-Aquatic (?) Lizard ID?

[Dan F]

I found this lizard while hiking a creek near my house (Silver Creek, about 1200' elevation in the Cascade foothills). He was hanging out on the rocks a few yards from shore. When I scared him he dove straight into the water. One of the pictures is an underwater shot (Olympus Stylus 770SW) and another is a shot of him in the water from above.

Anybody ID him?

 

[jason longboard]

dont know but I dont know how long its been since I could catch a lizard in the wild.Either they got faster or I got lazier.<wow that word dosnt look right but I think it is,lol.

 

[Mampam]

it looks like an alligator lizard

if the cascade foothills are in Cali, then it is, they make great pets

and btw, despite being "alligator" lizards they are anything but water loving

 

[Dan F]

it looks like an alligator lizard

if the cascade foothills are in Cali, then it is, they make great pets

and btw, despite being "alligator" lizards they are anything but water loving

I'm in Western Oregon, I think we have Alligator Lizards here (I need a Reptile Field Guide!).

This one was either hunting or sunning himself on the river rocks, the thing that surprised me was how he dove right in to hide underwater! They may not spend time in the water under normal circumstances, but this one seemed very comfortable swimming...

 

[dde1878]

Northern Alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea). they are found from the sierra nevada's to British columbia.

 

[Dan F]

Northern Alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea). they are found from the sierra nevada's to British columbia.

Anybody found them in/near water?

 

[dde1878]

when you saw it the only place to run was the water? they have been know to be in the water, they can and will eat insects that live in the water, also the insects that congregate around the water edge. for instance flying insects.

 

[Jfitz]

looks like some kind of salamander...

 

[benzjamin13]

Kind of looks like an Alligator Lizard

 

[dde1878]

if the eyes were lighter in color it would be a southern alligator lizard. northern have the dark color around the pupil.