Eastern collared lizard, Oklahoma collared lizard, Yellow-headed collared lizard, Collared lizard
The common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris ), also commonly called eastern collared lizard, Oklahoma collared lizard, yellow-headed collared lizard, and collared lizard, is a North American species of lizard in the family Crotaphytidae. The common name "collared lizard" comes from the lizard's distinct coloration, which includes bands of black around the neck and shoulders that look like a collar. Males can be very colorful, with blue green bodies, yellow stripes on the tail and back, and yellow orange throats. There are five recognized subspecies.
The Common collared lizard a colorful long-tailed lizard with a large head and powerful jaws. The name "collared lizard" comes from its distinct coloration, which includes bands of black around the neck and shoulders that look like a collar. Males can be very colorful, with blue-green bodies, yellow stripes on the tail and back, and yellow-orange throats. Females have a light brown head and body.
Common collared lizards are found in North America. They occur in Mexico and the south-central United States including Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas, the full extent of its habitat in the United States ranges from the Ozark Mountains to Western Arizona. These lizards inhabit dry, open regions with sagebrush, desert scrub, open woodlands, and prefer canyons and rocky areas with sparse vegetation.
Common collared lizards are active during the day and generally spend their time singly. They can often be seen basking on rocks but are very wary and difficult to catch. They can run on their hind legs and are relatively fast sprinters. Record speeds have been around 16 miles per hour (26 km/h). Common collared lizards are usually active from mid-March through September and during cold months of the year they hibernate in burrows that are typically located under large rocks.
Common collared lizards are carnivores (insectivores). They feed mainly on insects but will also eat spiders, small snakes, and other lizards.
The mating season of Common collared lizards takes place in May-June. Females lay 4-10 eggs in a burrow under a large rock. The incubation period lasts around 2-3 months. The young hatch fully developed and are independent at birth.
There are no major threats to Common collared lizards at present.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Common collared lizard total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Common collared lizards play an important role in their ecosystem. They help control populations of a wide range of insects they feed on and in turn provide food for local predators.
