The RASCals Citizen Science Project was created to study how the ranges of various species have responded to urbanization and habitat modification. To do this, modern day citizen science records are being compared to historical distribution data from museum specimens. But photo vouchers can be used for much more than just understanding the ranges of species; photographs can also document interesting behaviors.

Right now, we are entering ALLIGATOR LIZARD MATING SEASON, and we need YOUR HELP in studying their breeding biology!

Starting as early as February, alligator lizards in our area start mating. Many people who see their courtship behavior might think it is a fight or even cannibalism, but in fact this is alligator lizard love. The male bites the female on her neck or head, and they may stay in this position for more than a day. It’s possible that they stay paired up for so long because the female is testing the strength of the male, but more research needs to be done on this.

Here are some observations of alligator lizard courtship previously submitted to the RASCals project:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2350559
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1330177
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1333553

If the pair are not disturbed by a predator or other male suitor, usually they end up mating. Here's an observation of a pair actually mating:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/1417721

Last year, I realized that observations submitted to the RASCals project could be used to study the breeding behavior of these lizards. We put out our first call, and we have tallied 27 such observations submitted to RASCals so far. Based on these 27 observations, breeding in Southern California can be as early as February 9th, or as late as April 22nd, but appears to peak between mid-March and early April. It is probably later at higher elevations, but we have so few high-elevation records at this point that we can't say for sure.

We have already received our first observation this year. John8 (aka John Oliver) submitted an observation from March 1st in Deukmejian Wilderness Park, Glendale:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2751460

As we accumulate more records this year and in coming years, we can ask questions like how much variation is there in the timing of the breeding from year to year? Does the breeding season start earlier further south? Does it start earlier at lower elevations? Do lizards in urban areas breed at the same time as lizards in rural areas?

Of course, understanding the breeding biology is dependent on having lots of data points. This is why we need your help. If you see courting or mating alligator lizards, please take a photo and submit it to the RASCals project.

Fine print: this journal post was modified from the Natural History Museum's Nature in L.A. blog. You can read the original here:
http://www.nhm.org/nature/blog/studying-lizard-love-through-citizen-science