Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)

30 July 2016
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Gillespie and Llano Counties, Texas

Eastern Collared Lizard shares several other common names including Common Collared Lizard, Oklahoma Collared Lizard, and Collared Lizard. According to the IUCN range map (accessible at the link cited below), Eastern Collared Lizard is found in the Lower Midwest and Southwest of the United States and in the North Central and Northeast states of Mexico. Eastern Collared Lizard is a North American reptile, and as such its extensive (US) range in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, and comparable (MX) range in at least Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo León, and possibly parts of other northern states, makes it an authentic resident of the Western Hemisphere.

The volunteer interpreter who wore the uniform of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Chris, told us that he has at times seen up to three Greater Roadrunners at the crest of Enchanted Rock chasing Eastern Collared Lizard and other edibles. The one presented in this observation is a resident of the crest at Enchanted Rock and eventually it slipped under a rock and made its exit. This specimen was easily between 9-10 inches in length from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. It was the largest of the four different lizards we observed during our visit.

Source: "Crotaphytus collaris," The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, range map, description, resources, accessed 8.10.16, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/64007/0