dorsal side of their head. However, most of these distinctions are only noticed by a professional and it can be tricky for amateurs to tell the two sexes apart. Behavior This lizard is usually slow moving, but it is typical for them to drop to the ground when disturbed, followed by them quickly escaping to a safe environment if they feel threatened. Although they can survive in temperatures that range as far as 40 to 90 ̊F, they will move considerably slower when their environment is below 50 ̊F. In these colder temperatures, these lizards will also den together in rotten tree trunks and under moss to conserve warmth and energy. They will be most active when temperatures lie in the range of 75 to 80 ̊F and will often be seen sunbathing and searching for food in the hours of late morning. A. aurita have also reported to be calm in captivity, if properly cared for. They can also be prone to biting if handled aggressively or not fed at regular intervals. If their containment is kept outside of their optimal temperature zone, they will often hide in their artificial shelters, trying to conserve energy or hide from the light. Diet A. aurita are primarily omnivores, but can live on either insects or plants for long periods of time. In times of optimal conditions, they will often prefer to forage for abundant insects such as crickets and grasshoppers as well as other invertebrates such as caterpillars, snails, spiders and mealworms. In addition, alligator lizards also rely on eating bromeliads, which serve as a vital source of energy when insect abundance depletes. Because of this, presence of bromeliads growing on and around their habitat is an important factor when determining their immediate habitat location. Reproduction and lifecycle It typically takes Cope's arboreal alligator lizards until the second reproductive season for them to be large and sexually mature enough to reproduce. These lizards are viviparous (they do not lay eggs like many other reptiles), but will give birth to live pups. The mating ritual of this alligator lizard is similar to other lizards, which will begin with the male lizard biting the head of the female in a display of his strength and fitness for mating. They will remain in this position until the female succumbs to the male and allows him to mate with her. This embrace could last for