Collared Lizard

Description:

This is a medium-sized lizard reaching nearly 10 inches (25 cm) in total length; males are larger than females. The head is large. Two black collars around the neck give the lizard its name. The small body scales have a ground color of tan, bright green, olive, brown, bluish or yellowish with many light spots and dark crossbands. The belly is whitish. Juvenile collared lizards have distinct banding that slowly fades as the animal matures. The adult male is usually very green with dark spots on the throat. Adult females are only slightly green. In breeding season spots and bars of bright red or orange appear on the sides of the female’s body and neck indicating that she is pregnant; these fade after egg deposition. Color varies among the different populations throughout the range.

Habitat:

The collared lizard is widespread throughout the western United States. In the Sonoran Desert, it is found in Arizona, southeastern California, and northern Mexico, including eastern Baja California