# 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! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 22 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Eastern Collared Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Common_Collared_Lizard.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dakota L., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Common_Collared_Lizard.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Crotaphytidae - **Genus:** Crotaphytus ## 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 - **Bipedal Blitz:** Eastern Collared Lizard can achieve high speeds by running on its powerful hind legs, which helps them quickly cross open, rocky terrain. - **Tail Sacrifice:** Eastern Collared Lizard has the ability to intentionally detach its tail (autotomy), which provides a crucial distraction to escaping predators. - **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. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common aerial predator in its habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — Frequently preys on these lizards. - **Hunts:** [Eastern Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus undulatus*) — Will prey on smaller lizards found nearby. - **Eats:** [Gray Bird Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-bird-grasshopper) (*Schistocerca nitens*) — A primary food source of large insects. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## 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 to identify Eastern Collared Lizard? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facilities](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/childs-irving-hydroelectric-facilities) — Arizona, US · Historic District - [Colorado National Monument Visitor Center Complex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colorado-national-monument-visitor-center-complex) — Colorado, US · National Park - [Quartz Mountain Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/quartz-mountain-nature-park) — Oklahoma, US · Park - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Sabino Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sabino-canyon) — Arizona, US · Natural Landmark - [Chaco Culture National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chaco-culture-national-historical-park) — New Mexico, US · National Park [View all places to see Eastern Collared Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-collared-lizard) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Eastern Collared Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-collared-lizard)