Kansas Collared Lizard

by Elizabeth Winter

Title

Kansas Collared Lizard

Artist

Elizabeth Winter

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Collared Lizard can be distinguished from other Kansas lizards by having a large head, one or usually two dark bands around the neck, small smooth granular scales on the back and belly, ear opening on the sides of its head, and four limbs. The belly is white. The throat is orange to yellow in males, and males are also more brightly colored (greens and blues) and grow larger than females. During pregnancy, females (usually on shades of tan and brown) developed transverse orange bars along the sides of their body.

No other lizards in Kansas is easily confused with the Collared Lizard. Its body form, patterns and colors, and behavior are all unique.

In those areas where they occur, you can see Eastern Collared Lizards perched atop large rocks during sunny warm days from late March to early November, when the air temperature reaches 70-90 degrees F. Like all other reptiles in the state, Eastern Collared Lizards are 'cold-blooded' and derive the energy necessary for their metabolic processes from the external environment. There is fierce competition among male Eastern Collared Lizards for the best rocks to occupy. This competition is generally non-violent, consisting of head-bobs and push-ups; however among two lizards similar in size, one may aggressively chase the other away.

They are active during the day, and at night retire to burrows or tunnels near or under their basking rocks where they sleep. In late October they retire deep into these same burrows to avoid freezing temperatures and await the arrival of warmer temperatures in late March to April.

Uploaded

July 8th, 2015

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