The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah

Description: Light brown, olive, or gray base color on the dorsal with light-colored spots. The patterning reverses on the tail with dorsal base-colored spots on a light-colored base. The dorsal has faded orange banding. The head and jaws are large and have dark-colored spots on a light base. Limbs have varying degrees of yellow coloration. Two black collars border a gray or light-colored collar on the neck. Scales are small and granular. Males have a blue-gray patch on the throat with a black patch in the center. They have two black patches on the underside near the rear limbs. The tail is taller than it is wide with a light stripe down the top. Females develop distinct orange patterning when gravid. Juveniles are more distinctly banded.  

Size: A medium-sized lizard averaging 10 to 12 inches in total length. 

Range and Habitat: This lizard occurs in the western half of the state, along the Southern Colorado Plateau, and northward through the western half of the Colorado Plateau. It inhabits rocky slopes and boulder fields within desertscurb communities and pinyon-juniper woodlands. They can be found up to 7,000 feet in elevation. 

Similar Species: The Eastern Collared Lizard has black oral pigment. Its tail is round and lacks a stripe and generally lacks spots on its forelimbs.