Eastern Collared Lizard
ExploreReptiles
Eastern Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris
The Eastern Collared Lizard is a colorful reptile known for its bright green and blue colors. It can run really fast on its back legs, making it a fun sight to see in the wild!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Eastern Collared Lizard has a distinctive large head and a long tail, often displaying a brilliant turquoise body, yellow head, and a prominent black double-collar. Males are especially vibrant blue-green, making them visually stand out against rocky backgrounds.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyCrotaphytidaeGenusCrotaphytus
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite fierce looks, they are excellent climbers, scrambling up vertical rocks!
Males bob their heads to communicate with rivals and attract females!
Their loud hiss sounds like distant thunder, earning them the nickname 'mountain boomer'!
These colorful lizards can even eat other lizards, making them fierce!
Special abilities
Ability
Bipedal Blitz
Eastern Collared Lizard can achieve high speeds by running on its powerful hind legs, which helps them quickly cross open, rocky terrain.
Ability
Tail Sacrifice
Eastern Collared Lizard has the ability to intentionally detach its tail (autotomy), which provides a crucial distraction to escaping predators.
Ability
Color Thermoregulation
Eastern Collared Lizard can darken its skin to absorb more sunlight or lighten it to reflect heat, which helps them perfectly manage their body temperature.
Ability
Ambush Hunter Reflexes
Eastern Collared Lizard has incredibly sharp eyesight and quick reflexes that help them spot and ambush fast-moving insect prey.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 20-35 cm
- Weight
- 0.028-0.08 kg
- Lifespan
- 6-10 years
- Top Speed
- 25 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-13
- Incubation
- 50-70 days
Diet & Feeding
These speedy lizards eat mostly insects and spiders, but sometimes other small lizards too!
Primary Foods
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Spiders
- Small lizards
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A common aerial predator in its habitat.
eaten by
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Frequently preys on these lizards.
hunts
Eastern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus undulatus
Will prey on smaller lizards found nearby.
eats
Gray Bird Grasshopper
Schistocerca nitens
A primary food source of large insects.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Thermoregulating
Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch from a distance and don't try to catch lizards; they are best enjoyed in their natural home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Eastern Collared Lizard?
20-35 cm
How much does Eastern Collared Lizard weigh?
0.028-0.08 kg
How long does Eastern Collared Lizard live?
6-10 years
How fast can Eastern Collared Lizard move?
25 km/h
What does Eastern Collared Lizard eat?
These speedy lizards eat mostly insects and spiders, but sometimes other small lizards too!
Where is Eastern Collared Lizard usually found?
Grasslands
How does Eastern Collared Lizard hunt?
Ambush
How many eggs does Eastern Collared Lizard lay?
1-13
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