Baja California Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus vestigium
Large lizard with a narrow neck with two black bands and broad head. Large rear legs and long thick tail. Coloration occurs in shades of brown or dark grey with irregular…
How to identify
Large lizard with a narrow neck with two black bands and broad head. Large rear legs and long thick tail. Coloration occurs in shades of brown or dark grey with irregular white cross bars down length of body. White spots between cross bars. Two black bands on neck appear to look like a collar, hence the species' common name. Ventral side is mostly white.
Range
Small range extends from south-central California into the Baja peninsula of Mexico.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Arid, rocky deserts, canyons, and hills. Prefers habitats with sparse vegetation and large rocks.
Variations
Males: Two black spots on ventral side, near groin and a dark colored throat. Females: Light colored throat.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Genus
Crotaphytus
Greek for side of head (krotaphos), referencing small plates on the head.
Origin
Sources
- Holbrook, 1842. N. Amer. Herp., Ed. 2, Vol. 2, p. 79 ↗
Crotaphytus. Holbrook, 1842 - N. Amer. Herp., Ed. 2, Vol. 2, p. 79
Species epithet
vestigium
Latin for footstep.
Origin
Sources
- Smith and Tanner, 1972. Great Basin Nat., Vol. 32, p. 29 ↗
Crotaphytus vestigium. Smith and Tanner, 1972 - Great Basin Nat., Vol. 32, p. 29
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Small range extends from south-central California into the Baja peninsula of Mexico.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Arid, rocky deserts, canyons, and hills. Prefers habitats with sparse vegetation and large rocks.
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap