The addition of a dozen new collared lizards enriches the Zoo’s Oklahoma Trails habitat.
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is thrilled to welcome 12 new Eastern collared lizards to its Oklahoma Trails habitat, further highlighting the state’s rich wildlife. As Oklahoma’s official state reptile as of 1969, these agile, sun-loving lizards are known for their electrifying speed, vibrant hues, and unique ability to run on two legs when chasing prey or escaping predators. These new lizards are now on public view at Oklahoma Trails inside Big Rivers presented by Cresap Family Foundation.
Named for their distinct black “collar” markings around their necks, Eastern collared lizards are a striking sight in the wild. Often found relaxing on rocky outcrops in Oklahoma’s red dirt country and other arid landscapes throughout the southwestern regions of North America, these reptiles captivate with their vivid coloration and remarkable speed.
“Collared lizards are a fascinating species with unique adaptations,” said OKC Zoo’s Curator of Herpetology and Aquatics, Seamus Ehrhard. “We are thrilled to provide them with a space where they can thrive while educating our guests about native wildlife.”
This exciting addition is made possible through a collaboration between the OKC Zoo and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Though collared lizards are not a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan®, the Zoo is committed to their conservation. In recent years, the Zoo established a breeding program to provide collared lizard offspring to other AZA-accredited organizations, ensuring the species continues to thrive in human care.
Adult male collared lizards typically display green and yellow hues on their body but this coloration can vary based on their surroundings. Females generally bear more subdued browns and tans or even gray coloring. Growing up to 4.75 inches in total length, they are also capable of sprinting on their hind legs at speeds reaching up to 16 miles per hour. The lizards are sometimes known as “mountain boomers"- a nickname that dates back to the Gold Rush when pioneers mistakenly attributed booming echoes in the hills to these lizards.
The Oklahoma Trails habitat first opened in 2007 and quickly became one of the Zoo’s most celebrated attractions. Spanning nearly 8 acres, the habitat was designed to celebrate Oklahoma’s native wildlife and ecosystems. Guests can learn about the 11 distinct life zones that are unique to Oklahoma and its diverse wildlife including mountain lions, turkey, river otter, black bears, and North American bison. The addition of collared lizards enhances the Zoo’s mission to educate guests about the importance of conserving wildlife and their natural habitats, both locally and globally.
The OKC Zoo invites you to meet the newest members of its animal family in their habitat at Oklahoma Trails.
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s Spring hours from Saturday, March 15 to Sunday March 24 are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m. Regular daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District.
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