Creature Feature: Collared Lizard

These were one of my favorite animals to photograph while I spent some time in Oklahoma!

Fun Facts about Collared Lizards:

• The female Collared Lizard tends to have more subdued colors, as opposed to the bright blues, greens, and yellows of the male. While the female is carrying eggs, she develops red splotches until the eggs are laid.

• The Collared Lizard is the Oklahoma state reptile!

• These guys run FAST. They run on their back legs and can travel up to 16mph for short distances.

• Their diet includes grasshoppers, spiders, and other insects, as well as smaller lizards!

• If they lose their tail it won't grow back...

Sources:

“Collared Lizard Fact Sheet.” Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Collared%20Lizard.php.

“Collared Lizard.” State Symbols USA, statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-reptile/collared-lizard.

Ismail, Anisa. “Crotaphytus Collaris Collaris.” Animal Diversity Web, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Crotaphytus_collaris_collaris/#references.

All photography in this post taken by Taylor Parsons at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.