Collared Lizard  - Crotaphytus collaris

Location/Trail:  SP CraterDate sighted:  6/13/2009Season:  SummerWarming up in the sun on the rim of the volcanic crater. The Collared Lizard is a relatively long-lived lizard, known to run upright on its hind legs, with prominent black bands behind the head giving the lizard its name. The male's body is green, the head may be bright yellow, with a brightly colored throat (blue, green or even orange), and may have blue patches on the belly with sprinklings of white, yellow or red. Females are generally fawn or gray, taking on red or salmon-colored speckling during breeding season.