scarlet alligator
A sentinel guarding the bridge across the lava gully to the Mountain of Phantastico.
First named in The Emerald City of Oz, ch. 11
lying flat upon the bridge was a scarlet alligator, seemingly fast asleep.
As the books describe them
lying flat upon the bridge was a scarlet alligator, seemingly fast asleep. When Guph stumbled over the rocks in approaching the bridge the creature opened its eyes, from which tiny flames shot in all directions The Emerald City of Oz, ch. 11