Western Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris baileyi
These large lizards are wary and quick to flee when approached. They inhabit a wide variety of terrain types but one requirement is the presence of large rocks and boulders. They feed on insects, other lizards and just about anything else that they can fit into their powerful jaws. These lizards are usually some shade of green, sometimes bright green, and are very attractive. I'm sorry that I don't have a photo that captures their real beauty. The lizard in this picture was photographed on a cool morning while it was still too sluggish to flee. The location is on one of the volcanoes at Petroglyph National Monument near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
