Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: LIZARD, EASTERN COLLARED

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: REPTILIA

Order: SQUAMATA

Family: IGUANIDAE

Genus: CROTAPHYTUS

Species: COLLARIS

Taxonomic Authority: (SAY)

Taxonomy References: 016 , 023

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S4
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 015 , 020 , 003

Habitat Summary

"Inhabit glades with large flat rocks and sparse ground vegetation. Will also colonize rip-rap along reservoirs and rock quarries."

Primary Habitat: "Glade complex"

References: 002 , 001

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Generally occurs south of the Missouri river *17*. A reintroduction program was started in 1997 to repopulate glades where this species formerly occurred *19*"

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BARRY BARTON ADAIR
BOONE BATES ANDREW
CAMDEN BENTON ATCHISON
CARTER BOLLINGER AUDRAIN
CHRISTIAN BUTLER BUCHANAN
CRAWFORD CALLAWAY CALDWELL
DENT CAPE GIRARDEAU CARROLL
DOUGLAS CASS CHARITON
GASCONADE CEDAR CLARK
HICKORY COLE CLAY
IRON COOPER CLINTON
JACKSON DADE DAVIESS
JEFFERSON DALLAS DEKALB
MADISON FRANKLIN DUNKLIN
MARIES GREENE GENTRY
MCDONALD HENRY GRUNDY
MILLER HOWARD HARRISON
NEWTON HOWELL HOLT
OSAGE JASPER KNOX
OZARK JOHNSON LEWIS
PERRY LACLEDE LINCOLN
PHELPS LAFAYETTE LINN
REYNOLDS LAWRENCE LIVINGSTON
SHANNON MONITEAU MACON
ST. FRANCOIS MONTGOMERY MARION
ST. LOUIS MORGAN MERCER
STE. GENEVIEVE OREGON MISSISSIPPI
STONE PETTIS MONROE
TANEY POLK NEW MADRID
VERNON PULASKI NODAWAY
WASHINGTON RIPLEY PEMISCOT
WRIGHT ST. CHARLES PIKE
ST. CLAIR PLATTE
TEXAS PUTNAM
WARREN RALLS
WAYNE RANDOLPH
WEBSTER RAY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHELBY
STODDARD
SULLIVAN
WORTH

References for distribution: 017 , 019 , 021 , 022 , 030 , 024 , 009 , 011 , 012 , 001

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Big R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Northwest Corner of Jackson County
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Spring R.
Indian Creek

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations: 001

Habitat Types:

Limestone Glade
Limestone Bluff and Cave
Fruiting Tree-Shrub

References for Habitat Types: 004 , 001

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Primary
Glade
Limestone Glade
Dolomite Glade
Chert Glade
Sandstone Glade
Igneous Glade
Cliff
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Moist Limestone/Dolomite Cliff
Dry Sandstone Cliff
Moist Sandstone Cliff
Dry Chert Cliff
Moist Chert Cliff
Dry Igneous Cliff
Moist Igneous Cliff
Talus
Limestone/Dolomite Talus
Sandstone Talus
Igneous Talus

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 004 , 006 , 007

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Insects Insects; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 006

Adult Food Habits

Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Not Specified
Homoptera (cicadas, hoppers, aphids, scale insects); Not Specified
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified
Reptiles; Not Specified
Sauria (lizards, skinks); Not Specified
Serpentes (snakes); Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Chilopods (centipedes); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 006 , 009

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Air temperature specified in comments(00290)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 006 , 007

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Air temperature specified in comments(00290)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 002 , 006 , 007

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: talus
Air temperature specified in comments(00290)

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 002 , 006 , 007

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: talus
Air temperature specified in comments(00290)
Forb:Grass ratio specified in comments(00640)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 006 , 007

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: talus
Air temperature specified in comments(00290)
Forb:Grass ratio specified in comments(00640)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 002 , 006 , 007

Niche Requirement Summary

Air temperature specified in comments(00290)
Forb:Grass ratio specified in comments(00640)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Natural features: cliffs, ledges
Natural features: talus
Soil depth specified in comments(00320)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
017 Incubation 4 months *10*
035 Main predators hawks and snakes *06,07*
004 Watch from top of rock, then rush at prey *06,07*
007 Breed during May and June *07*. In TX, mate April-May *10*
018 Clutch size positively correlated with body size 2 clutches *10*. Clutch size 2-24, average 8 *01,06,07*
019 Often lay 2 clutches per year *07*
022 Mature at 8 months *01,06*. Females mature at 70-72 mm snout-vent *10*. In OK study, females matured at 70 mm snout-vent, usually during first year. Males matured at 100 mm snout-vent, usually at 2 years or older *18*.
024 Adult males usually outnumber adult females *06*
026 Males, females both territorial, territories not defended against opposite sex, male's territories larger, may overlap female's *06*. In OK study, females' home ranges overlapped, female aggression occurred though exclusive territories weren't defended. 60% of females' home ranges were overlapped by the territory of an adult male. Areas occupied by adjacent adult males were defended and rarely overlapped. Yearling males' home ranges overlapped those of adult males, but yearlings were tolerated because they adopted subordinate behavior patterns. *18*. Females exhibit some degree of home-range defense *025*.
028 Home range up to several thousand square feet.*07*. Home-range size of 166.7 square meters in OK *025*.
030 Adults active April-September *13*, juveniles active through October *06,07,13*. In TX, emergefrom hibernation in late March *10*
034 Limiting factors include presence of large flat rocks, sparse vegetation, food supply of large, diurnal, terrestrial insects, and other lizard species, high summer temperatures with little cloudiness *06,02*
099 Sexually dichromatic, but juvenile males display similar to gravid females *028*
099 Tails do not break off easily *027*

Life History Information

Territoriality specified in comments(026)
Home range size specified in comments(028)
Periodicity: active in day
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Limiting factors specified in comments(034)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: ground
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site: under rocks
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litters per year specified in comments(019)
Parental care of young: no care
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
Sex ratio specified in comments(024)
Basking site: rocks
Territoriality: defends entire breeding, feeding, and nesting territory

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
017 Incubation 4 months *10*
035 Main predators hawks and snakes *06,07*
004 Watch from top of rock, then rush at prey *06,07*
007 Breed during May and June *07*. In TX, mate April-May *10*
018 Clutch size positively correlated with body size 2 clutches *10*. Clutch size 2-24, average 8 *01,06,07*
019 Often lay 2 clutches per year *07*
022 Mature at 8 months *01,06*. Females mature at 70-72 mm snout-vent *10*. In OK study, females matured at 70 mm snout-vent, usually during first year. Males matured at 100 mm snout-vent, usually at 2 years or older *18*.
024 Adult males usually outnumber adult females *06*
026 Males, females both territorial, territories not defended against opposite sex, male's territories larger, may overlap female's *06*. In OK study, females' home ranges overlapped, female aggression occurred though exclusive territories weren't defended. 60% of females' home ranges were overlapped by the territory of an adult male. Areas occupied by adjacent adult males were defended and rarely overlapped. Yearling males' home ranges overlapped those of adult males, but yearlings were tolerated because they adopted subordinate behavior patterns. *18*. Females exhibit some degree of home-range defense *025*.
028 Home range up to several thousand square feet.*07*. Home-range size of 166.7 square meters in OK *025*.
030 Adults active April-September *13*, juveniles active through October *06,07,13*. In TX, emergefrom hibernation in late March *10*
034 Limiting factors include presence of large flat rocks, sparse vegetation, food supply of large, diurnal, terrestrial insects, and other lizard species, high summer temperatures with little cloudiness *06,02*
099 Sexually dichromatic, but juvenile males display similar to gravid females *028*
099 Tails do not break off easily *027*

References for life history: 018 , 025 , 006 , 007 , 010 , 001 , 027 , 028

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Shrub/brush - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Shrub/brush - control erosion
Shrub/brush - control grazing of domestic livestock
Shrub/brush - prescribed/controlled burning
Shrub/brush - develop/maintain brushpiles
Barren land - maintain glades
Barren land - maintain glades
Barren land - prescribed/controlled burning of glades
Barren - specify in comments

Beneficial Management References: 026 , 002

Adverse Managment Practices:

Forest - application of herbicides
Forest - application of pesticides
Forest - application of insecticides
Forest - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Forest - develop/maintain roads
Forest - suppression of wildfire

Adverse Management References: 026 , 002

Comments on Management:
Beneficial to retain glades in natural state *02*. Forest expansion leads to loss of habitat. Increase relative influence of gene flow. *026*.

References for Management Comments: 026 , 002

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Oesch, R.D. 1995. Missouri Naiades. Missouri Dept. of Conservation. Jefferson City, MO 271 pp.
002 Unpb Johnson, Tom R. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115.
003 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006 Fitch, H. 1956. An Ecological Study Of The Collared Lizard. Univ. Of Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. 8(3):213-274.
007 Collins, J.T. 1974. Amphibians And Reptiles In Kansas. Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Publ. Ed. Series No. 1. Lawrence, Ks. 283 Pp.
008 Hurter, J. 1911. Herpetology Of Missouri. Trans. Acad. Of Sci. St. Louis, 20(5): 59-274.
009 Smith, D.D., R. Powell, T.R. Johnson and H.L. Gregory. 1983. Life History Observations Of Missouri Amphibians And Reptiles With Recommendations For Standardized Data Collection. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 17:37-66.
010 Ballinger, R.E. and T.G. Hipp. 1985. Reproduction In The Collared Lizard, Crotophytus Collaris, In West Central Texas. Copeia 1985: 976-980.
011 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
012 Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
014 Missouri Herpetological Association. 1990. Missouri Herpetological Association Newsletter. No. 3.
015 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
016 Collins, J.T. (Ed.). 1990. Standard Common And Current Scientifc Names For North American Amphibians And Reptiles, 3rd Ed. Soc. For The Study Of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herp. Cir. No. 19. 41 Pp.
017 Daniel, R.E. and B.S. Edmond. 2002. Revised county distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 15:16-38.
018 Baird, T.A., M.A. Acree and C.L. Sloan. 1996. Age And Gender-Related Differences In The Social Behavior And Mating Success Of Free-Living Collared Lizards, Crotaphytus Collaris. Copeia 1996(2):336-347.
019 Unpb Meyer, J. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, 1907 Hillcrest Dr., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-884-6861).
020 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
021 Unpb Losos, J.B. 1996 Collector's Permit Report. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65201. 573-751-4115.
022 Unpb Templeton, A.R. 1997 Collector's Permit Report. Permit Number 4524. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115.
023 Angert, A.L., D. Hutchinson, D. Glossip and J.B. Losos. 2002. Microhabitat Used And Thermal Biology Of The Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus Collaris Collaris) And The Fence Lizard (Sceloporus Undulatus Hycacinthinus) In Missouri Glades. J. Herp. 36(1):23-29.
024 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and J.T. Briggler. 2003. New and previously unreported herpetological records from Missouri for 2003. Missouri Herpetol. Assoc. Newsletter 16: 11-15.
025 Husak, J.E. and S.F. Fox. 2003. Spatial organization and the dear enemy phenomenon in adult female collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris. J. Herpetol. 37(1): 211-215.
026 Hutchison, D.W. 2003. Testing the central/peripheral model: analyses of microsatellite variability in the eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris collaris). Am. Mid. Nat. 149: 148-162.
027 Fitch, H.S. 2003. A comparitive study of loss and regeneration of lizard tails. Journal of Herpetology 37(2): 395-399.
028 Husak, J.F., J.K. McCoy, S.F. Fox, and T.A. Baird. 2004. Is coloration of juvenile male collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) female mimicry?: An experimental test. Journal of Herpetology 38(1): 156-160.
029 Crother, B.I. (Ed.). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (6th ed.). Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 37.
030 Daniel, Richard E., Brian S. Edmond and Jeffrey T. Briggler. 2020. New and previously unreported herpetological distribution records for Missouri in 2020. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 33:3-11.