DESCRIPTION: L=10-12" (25-30cm) including tail. Overall background color varies, including yellowish, greenish, bluish, olive, or brown. Body and tail covered with spots. Has two dark collars behind massive head with large jaw muscles. Scales are very fine, giving smooth appearance (in contrast to Spiny Lizards that have keeled scales). Females, when pregnant, often have bright red or orangish spots and bars on the sides of their neck and body. Adult males tend to be greener than females, who are only slightly green.
NATURAL HISTORY: Carnivorous, feeding mainly on insects (especially grasshoppers) and lizards (including other collared lizards). Fast runners, they may even run on just their hind two legs, with their body held at a 45 degree angle. Lays eggs. Males are territorial and often may be seen doing head-bobs and "push-ups" (see lizard pushup box).
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