What invertebrates form the primary diet of these ground-dwelling insectivores?
Slugs, snails, and earthworms
The diet of the Northern Alligator Lizard is specialized according to its ground-dwelling lifestyle, classifying it primarily as an insectivore. These reptiles patiently search the damp leaf litter and moist soil environments where they reside, actively pursuing small invertebrates. Key components of their typical menu include soft-bodied prey such as slugs, snails, and earthworms. Additionally, they consume various spiders and other small insects they are capable of capturing and consuming. This dietary focus makes them beneficial occupants of garden ecosystems, as they naturally help manage common ground pests like slugs, although their secretive nature means their pest control efforts often go unnoticed by human observers.
