Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)

Animal group: Reptile
Family: Crotaphytidae
Length: Usually 20–35 cm, including the tail
Diet: Insects, spiders and occasionally smaller lizards
Habitat: Rocky deserts, grasslands and open woodland
Distribution: Central and southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Conservation status: Least Concern

A Colourful Collar

This lizard gets its name from the two dark bands around its neck, which resemble a collar. Adult males can be especially colourful, with blue-green bodies, yellow markings and orange throats. Females are usually less brightly coloured but may develop orange spots during the breeding season.

Fast on Its Feet

Eastern collared lizards are active hunters with powerful hind legs. They chase insects across rocks and can briefly run on their back legs when moving at high speed. When they are not hunting, they often bask on exposed rocks to warm their bodies.

Females lay their eggs in nests dug beneath the ground. The young hatch as miniature versions of the adults and must immediately begin hunting for themselves.

Did You Know?

Unlike many other lizards, an Eastern collared lizard cannot easily shed its tail to escape a predator. Its main defence is speed—and it can race away using only its hind legs! Animal Diversity Web, Reptile Database