Mexican Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus dickersonae)

The Mexican Collared Lizard

The Mexican Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus dickersonae), also known as the ring-necked lizard, is native to Mexico and protected by Mexican law. Collared lizards are members of the iguana family and are one of the most colorful of all the lizard species. Because of this, collared lizards are often trapped for sale as pets.

Mexican Collared Lizards are only found in Mexico in the mountains on the coast of Sonora. They are found only in dry, desert locations in specific territories which they guard fiercely. One male will often have a territory with several females and will do whatever he needs to in order to insure that his territory is safe. Lizards usually come out in the morning, spending several hours basking in the sun before going off to find food. They usually hibernate in the winter, usually tucking themselves away in August or September, which coincides with hatching of new lizards. Doing this insures that the baby lizards will be able to find enough food without worrying about territory or competition.

Collared Lizards are multicolored, usually bright and vibrant, and their trademark marking is a black collar around the neck. Mexican Collared Lizards are a bright, turquoise blue on the body and tail and a slightly darker but still vibrant blue on the relatively large head. The body is covered with small white spots, and the black collar completely encircles the neck. Collared lizards are relatively slim and grow to a length of approximately 11 inches (28 cm), including the long tail. Female lizards look similar to the males but are just a little smaller.

Interesting Fact: Collared Lizards are able to run on their back legs, using their tails for balance. Because of this and their fierce temperament and speed, these lizards have often been compared to dinosaurs when running.

There is not enough information about feeding habits of the Mexican Collared Lizard in the wild, but those lizards in captivity are fed worms, crickets, and mice. This seems to be a common diet for all species of the collared lizard. They will also eat some green plants, and it is assumed that, because of their dry, desert habitat, they get all their needed moisture from their food.

When a female lizard is prime for mating, bright orange stripes will appear, sometimes overnight, on her sides. Young lizards often also have these stripes, and this seems to calm the protective, territorial males and allows them to find their own territories. These stripes seem to vary from species to species, and the Mexican Collared Lizard females have six of the orange stripes on each side of their bodies. The breeding season starts in spring and usually lasts until June, with females able to lay clutches of eggs 50 days apart. The coloration will fade after the eggs have been laid, and she will defend her nest with force if necessary until she enters hibernation or until the eggs hatch. Many collared lizards lay their eggs under rocks to help protect them from predators, including other lizards. These eggs typically hatch in about 50 days, and the average size for a single clutch is four to six eggs.

Further Information on the Mexican Collared Lizard:

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Bibliography:
Collared Lizard. Encarta Encyclopedia, © 2000.
Crotaphytus dickersonae. Accessed on 08/25/04 at http://www.vivanatura.org/Crotaphytus%20dickersonae.html.
Common Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris). Accessed on 08/25/04 at http://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_collared_lizard.html.
Collared Lizards Reptile House. Accessed on 08/25/04 at http://www.reptileallsorts.com/colliz-cs.htm.