Collared Iguana
| Collared Iguana | ||||||||||||
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Collared iguana ( Crotaphytus collaris ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Crotaphytus collaris | ||||||||||||
| ( Say , 1823) |
The collar iguana ( Crotaphytus collaris ) is a species in the genus Crotaphytus and belongs to the partial order of the Iguana-like ( Iguania ). It is common in the southwestern United States and Mexico in dry rocky areas.
features
The collar iguana can reach a total length of up to 35 cm and a head-torso length of up to 22 cm. It bears its name because of the drawing on the neck, reminiscent of a double black collar. The males of this species are usually more colorfully patterned than the females and have clear femoral pores and large postanal scales.
nutrition
The species feeds on insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally flowers, leaves and fruit.
Way of life
Collared iguanas are diurnal, very sociable ground and rock dwellers. They position themselves on raised spots from where they look for food animals and enemies. Collared iguanas can reach high speeds by walking on their hind legs, the long tail serving as a balance holder.
Collared iguanas hibernate for 2–3 months from the end of November.
Subspecies
Three subspecies of the species Crotaphytus collaris have been described:
- C. c. collaris
- C. c. baileyi
- C. c. fuscus
literature
- Robert Schumacher: Collared Iguanas. Way of life. Maintenance. Breed. Herpeton - Verlag Elke Köhler, Offenbach 2002, ISBN 3-936180-00-8 .
- Jürgen Lipfert: Collared iguanas. The genus Crotaphytus. 3. Edition. Natur- und Tier-Verlag, Münster 2010, ISBN 978-3-9372-8515-3 .
Web links
- www.crotaphytus.de
- Crotaphytus collaris in The Reptile Database
- Crotaphytus collaris inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Posted by: Hammerson, GA, Lavin, P., Vazquez Díaz, J., Quintero Díaz, G. & Gadsden, H., 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2014.