Eastern Collared Lizard – (Crotaphytus collaris)

During our hikes in and around Las Cruces, NM, we came across several very interesting creatures. Among them was this one particular lizard that, at first, was hard to believe was real.

Eastern Collared Lizard

Doesn’t it look like a toy found in a discount store?

Once it was seen in and among the native flora, it looked a bit more natural as it blended with the environment.

Eastern Collared Lizard

Look at this closeup shot…

Eastern Collared Lizard Closeup

Aren’t those great markings on the head? And the feet..yellow toes! What’s with that?

Here’s a great side shot of the markings on its chin and the dots on the back. I never saw a lizard that had such a colorful persona.

Eastern Collared Lizard Closeup

Of course it was real. I actually touched the first one we saw to get it to scoot away, but it didn’t go too far. It “appeared” to be as curious of us as we were with it.

In the picture below, the two dark “collars” are easy to spot and provide a clear segmenting of the shoulder from the torso.

Eastern Collared Lizard Sunning

More lizards were spotted and will be presented in a future post, but the Eastern Collared Lizard was my favorite.

Read More:

Reptiles and Amphibians of Arizona

Visit the Arizona Herpetological Association

New Mexico Herpetological Society

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