Common Collared Lizard
1242449
219855083
2008-06-17T04:22:20Z
124.197.33.23
{{Taxobox
| name = Common Collared Lizard
| image = Collared Lizard Albuquerque NM Preview.JPG
| image_caption = Collared Lizard in Albuquerque, New Mexico
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]]
| ordo = [[Squamata]]
| subordo = [[Iguania]]
| familia = [[Crotaphytidae]]
| genus = ''[[Crotaphytus]]''
| species = '''''C. collaris'''''
| binomial = ''Crotaphytus collaris''
| binomial_authority = ([[Thomas Say|Say]], [[1823]])
}}
The '''Oklahoma Collared Lizard''' or '''Collared Lizard''', ''Crotaphytus collaris'', is a [[North America]]n lizard that can reach a foot (30 cm) long in length (including the tail), with a large head and powerful jaws. They are well known for the ability to run on their hind legs, looking like small [[dinosaur]]s. The collared lizard is the "state reptile" of the [[United States]] state of [[Oklahoma]], where it is known as the '''Mountain Boomer'''. The name "collared lizard" comes from the lizards' distinct coloration, which includes bands of black around the neck and shoulders that look like a collar. It is a member of the [[Crotaphytidae|collared lizard family]].
These reptiles are often tamed and kept as pets. When born in captivity, they are quite docile and tolerant of interaction with humans. They are very active and predatory lizards, requiring a large amount of space to run. They prefer high temperatures, up to 105-110°F (40-43°C) at their basking spot and 80°F (26°C) elsewhere in their habitat during the day. Some collared lizards eat small amounts of fruit or vegetables, but most prefer a diet of insects. They will also consume vertebrate prey, including small mammals and other lizards. Like many reptiles, in captivity they must be provided a diet supplemented with extra [[calcium]] and a light source with a [[UVB]] radiation to reduce the risk of bone disorders.
[[Image:Collared lizard in Zion National Park.jpg|thumb|left|Collared Lizard in [[Zion National Park]], [[Utah]]]]
[[Image:collared and chuckwallah lizards arp.jpg|thumb|left|Collared Lizard ''Crotaphytus collaris'' on the left, Common Chuckwallah ''[[Sauromalus ater]]'' on the right.]]
The origin of the name "mountain boomer" is not clear, but it may date back to settlers travelling west during the [[Gold Rush]]. One theory is that settlers mistook the sound of wind in canyons for the call of an animal in an area where the collared lizard was abundant. In reality, collared lizards are silent.
Like many other lizards, including the [[frilled lizard]] and [[Basiliscus basiliscus|basilisk]], collared lizards can run on their hind legs, and are relatively fast sprinters. Record speeds have been around 16 miles/hour (26 km/h), much slower than the world record for lizards (21.5 miles/h or 34.6 km/h) attained by the larger-bodied [[Costa Rican|Costa Rica]] [[spiny-tailed iguana]] (''[[Ctenosaura]] similis'').
Collared lizards in the wild have been the subject of a number of studies of [[sexual selection]].
==References==
Bonine, K. E., and T. Garland, Jr. 1999. Sprint performance of phrynosomatid lizards, measured on a high-speed treadmill, correlates with hindlimb length. Journal of Zoology, London 248:255-265. [http://www.biology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/Garland/BonGar99.pdf PDF]
Garland, T., Jr. 1984. Physiological correlates of locomotory performance in a lizard: an allometric approach. Am. J. Physiol. 247 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 16):R806-R815. [http://www.biology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/Garland/Garl1984.pdf PDF]
Husak, J. F., and S. F. Fox. 2006. Field use of maximal sprint speed by collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris): compensation and sexual selection. Evolution 60:1888-1895.
Husak, J. F., Fox, S. F, Lovern, M. B., and Van Den Bussche, R. A. 2006. Faster lizards sire more offspring: sexual selection on whole-animal performance. Evolution 60:2122-2130.
Lappin, A. K., Y. Brandt, J. F. Husak, J. M. Macedonia, and D. J. Kemp. 2005. Gaping displays reveal and amplify a mechanically based index of weapon performance. American Naturalist 168:100-113.
Snyder, R. C. 1962. Adaptations for bipedal locomotion of lizards. Am. Zool. 2:191-203.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Crotaphytus collaris, Boston.jpg|[[Museum of Science, Boston]]
Image:collaredlizardEMNM.JPG|[[El Malpais National Monument]], [[New Mexico]]
Image:collared.lizard.arp.jpg|[[Bristol Zoo]], [[England]]
Image:DSCF2741.JPG|[[Petrified Forest National Park]], [[Arizona]]
Image:Collared Lizard Albuquerque NM1.JPG|Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, Albuquerque, [[New Mexico]]
Image:Collared-lizards.jpg|Crotaphytus collaris
</gallery>
[[Category:Collared lizards]]
[[Category:Reptiles of the United States]]
[[Category:Fauna of Oklahoma]]
[[nl:Crotaphytus collaris]]
[[ja:クビワトカゲ]]
[[fi:Kaulusleguaani]]