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Description
Eastern Collared Lizard
Scientific Name: Crotaphytus collaris
Common Name: Eastern Collared Lizard
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 10–14 inches (25–35 cm) in total length, with males larger, bulkier, and more vividly coloured than females.
Appearance: Eastern Collared Lizards are famous for their bold patterning and vibrant colours. Their name comes from the two distinct black collar bands around the neck. Males often display brilliant blues, greens, and yellows across the body, with orange tones appearing during the breeding season. Females tend to be lighter, often with subtle orange spotting when gravid. Their muscular build, large heads, and long limbs allow for impressive speed and even bipedal running. Their eyes are large and expressive, contributing to their alert nature.
Distribution: Found across the south-central United States, including Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and parts of Texas and New Mexico.
Habitat: This species thrives in arid to semi-arid environments, including rocky outcrops, desert foothills, scrublands, and prairie edges. They favour sun-exposed rocks and boulders where they bask and watch for prey or rivals.
Behaviour: Eastern Collared Lizards are diurnal, territorial, and highly active. Males frequently display head bobs, push-ups, and colour changes to establish dominance. They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, small lizards, and occasionally small vertebrates. They are extremely fast and will often run bipedally to escape threats.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Provide a terrestrial enclosure at least 36 inches × 18 inches × 18 inches (90 × 45 × 45 cm) for an adult. Include large basking rocks, secure climbing stones, sand–soil substrate (dry on top with deeper moisture retention), and multiple hides. Open floor space is essential to accommodate their active lifestyle.
Temperature and Humidity:
Basking area: 105–115°F (40–46°C)
Ambient temperature: 85–90°F (29–32°C)
Night temperatures: 70–75°F (21–24°C)
Humidity should remain low at 30–50%, with a slightly humid hide to aid shedding.
Lighting: Provide strong full-spectrum lighting with high UVB (10–12%). Intense lighting supports their desert-adapted behaviour, metabolism, and bright coloration.
Diet: Offer a carnivorous diet including crickets, roaches, black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, superworms, and occasional pinky mice. Provide calcium supplementation at most feedings and multivitamins weekly. Juveniles require daily feeding; adults can be fed every 1–2 days.
Behaviour in Captivity: Eastern Collared Lizards are energetic, visual, and bold. They enjoy basking on elevated rocks, patrolling their territory, and actively pursuing live prey. They may tolerate minimal handling once acclimated but remain quick and reactive.
Special Considerations: Ensure all rock structures are secure to prevent collapse. Provide very bright lighting and strong heat output. Because of their speed and potential for bipedal sprints, ensure the enclosure is escape-proof. Territorial behaviour means adults should typically be housed singly unless part of a carefully managed breeding group.
Taxonomy Note
The Eastern Collared Lizard is part of the family Crotaphytidae, a group of agile, carnivorous lizards adapted to hot, rocky environments in the southwestern and central United States. Crotaphytus collaris is the most widespread and iconic species within the group.
Genetics Note
There are no recognized morphs for the Eastern Collared Lizard. Natural variation occurs in colour tone, pattern intensity, and the brightness of breeding-season hues, particularly in males. These differences reflect locality, seasonal changes, and individual genetics rather than selective breeding.