Collared Lizard - Discover Nature (KRCG)

The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages you to discover nature and learn more about the eastern collard lizard.

Found throughout the Ozarks, the eastern collard lizard has a chunky head, long tail and a black collar behind the head.

These nifty lizards always generate interest because males are so colorful, especially during mating season.

Their bodies, the males bodies are kind of a light green to a light blue overall and then they have a bright under spot on the underside of their throat.
And they use that color in their courtship rituals when they find a female, they do a bunch of different, almost like charades.
Dance around them and show their coloration off.

The eastern collard lizard lives among rocks on dry, open rocky glades where it can take shelter under flat rocks.

Because of human suppression of fire, which allowed trees to become too numerous on glades, populations have shown an overall decline.

However, department of conservation wildlife managers and foresters are working to improve glade habitats, with the use of tree removal and fire.