Husbandry and Captive Propagation of Eastern Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris)
The eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is a colorful, common lizard found in the pet trade in the United States and Europe. As the popularity for the captive-bred collared lizard increases, reptile veterinarians should become more familiar with this native lizard species to best assist owners in providing appropriate husbandry, diet, and reproduction information. Recommended enclosures, lighting, temperature, shelter, and diet based on age are reviewed. We have also included comments regarding reproduction of collared lizards, including brumation, breeding and nesting, and recommended incubation methods. The few diseases currently reported for this genus, and a client care sheet, are also provided.Abstract
Yearling female (left) and male (right) (Aquaflame) eastern collared lizards. Sexually dimorphic coloration is common in many locales of eastern collared lizards.
Gravid female collared lizards develop a red to orange blush during mating season. (A) Gravid female “Lightning Yellow New Mexico” Crotaphytus collaris, (B) gravid female “Yellowhead” C. collaris (auriceps), (C) gravid female “Fancy Spotted New Mexico” C. collaris, (D) gravid female “Aquaflame” C. collaris.
Juvenile male eastern collared lizard with hormonal blush similar to gravid female.
Examples of some morphs and locales of male eastern collared lizards bred in captivity. (A) “Western yellowhead” Crotaphytus collaris (baileyi), (B) “Sky blue Texas”, (C) “Yellowhead”, (D) “Fancy spotted New Mexico”, (E) “Aquaflame”, (F) “Black-spotted” C. collaris (melanomaculatus), (G) “Wasabi white New Mexico”, (H) “Lightning yellow New Mexico”, and (I) “Peacock blue New Mexico”.
Examples of some morphs and locales of female eastern collared lizards bred in captivity. (A) “Western yellowhead”, (B) “Sky blue Texas”, (C) “Yellowhead”, (D) “Fancy spotted New Mexico”, (E) “Aquaflame”, (F) “Black-spotted”, (G) “Wasabi white New Mexico”, (H) “Lightning yellow New Mexico”, and (I) “Peacock blue New Mexico”.
Photographic images of a juvenile male (left) and female (right) “Blue panther”, a European mutation morph.
Dewlap differences between adult male and female collared lizards. Male eastern collared lizards (A–D) tend to have more defined and prominent spotting and coloration on the dewlap. (A) Crotaphytus collaris (melanomaculatus), (B) “Peacock blue New Mexico”, (C) “Aquaflame” and, (D) “Peacock blue New Mexico × Lightning yellow New Mexico Cross”. Female eastern collared lizards (E–H) have faint or minimal small speckles on the dewlap: (E,F) “Lightning yellow New Mexico”, and (G,H) “Peacock blue New Mexico”.
Ventral images of male and female eastern collared lizards. Adult male eastern collared lizards (A–D) have larger femoral and postanal scales than females. (A) “Sky blue Texas”, (B) “Lightning yellow New Mexico”, (C) “Yellowhead”, and (D) “Peacock blue New Mexico”. Adult females (E–G) have postanal spots to the left and right of their vent that are absent in males: (E, F) “Lightning yellow New Mexico”, and (G, H) “Peacock blue NM”.
A female “yellow-head” in optimal body condition ready to start the brumation process in preparation for breeding season.
A suitable brumation container for an eastern collared lizard. A cave provides shelter and a dish provides water for hydration. Prewashed play sand allows for burrowing to mimic a more natural brumation environment.
Dickerson's collared lizards (Crotaphytus dickersonae) with examples of a “lock” between the male and female in images A and D. Images B and C show examples of males mounting the female by grasping the nape of the female.
