Family: Phrynosomatidae, Earless and Horned Lizards view all from this family

Description 5-14 1/4" (13-36.2 cm). Largest of the spiny lizards. White-bordered black collar on neck. Light spots on head and back. Bright blue over shoulders. Indistinct dark bands on tail. Males have metallic blue-green sheen on back, blue chins and throats, blue patches on sides of belly. Female lacks metallic blue sheen and (usually) belly patches; has gray throat.

Breeding Young are born alive in litters of 6-18, February to June.

Habitat Stone piles, rock outcroppings, rock walls, dry earth blanks. Also found in construction rubble.

Range S. Texas along the Rio Grande and into Mexico.

Discussion Diurnal. In rocky areas, these big lizards shelter in holes beneath and between the rocks. Otherwise they secret themselves in deep ground crevices. Although their diet includes a wide variety of invertebrates, flying insects seem preferred.