common collared lizard

reptile

Also known as: Crotaphytus collaris, mountain boomer

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The collared lizard, genus Crotaphytus, is a species of lizard found in the hilly regions of the central United States and northeastern Mexico, extending westward to the Great Basin. These lizards exhibit varied coloration that changes with the season, temperature, and light intensity, with males typically being more brightly colored than females.1

A notable characteristic of collared lizards is their ability to run on their hind legs, lifting their front legs off the ground. The common collared lizard, C. collaris, can reach up to 35 cm (14 inches) in length, with its tail making up two-thirds of its total body length. They are agile and active, with relatively large heads, and their diet consists of large insects and other lizards. After breeding, females lay 2 to 11 leathery-shelled eggs in the ground.1

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collared lizard
The common collared lizard, C. collaris, reaches 35 cm (14 inches) long, and the tail alone accounts for two-thirds of the animal’s total length. Males are larger than females. In the eastern part of its range, the collared lizard is often referred to as “the mountain…
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The common collared lizard, C. collaris, reaches 35 cm (14 inches) long, and the tail alone accounts for two-thirds of the animal’s total length. Males are larger than females. In the eastern part of its range, the collared lizard is often referred to as “the mountain…
Read More