How long do Collared Lizards live?
Collared lizards live around 8-12 years in captivity (sometimes longer) and reach 8-14 inches (20-36 cm), most of which is tail, weighing 50-120 grams.
What do Collared Lizards eat?
They are carnivorous insect-eaters: crickets, roaches, locusts, and the occasional small lizard or pinky mouse for large adults. Feed juveniles daily and adults every 2-3 days, dusting prey with calcium and a D3 multivitamin 1-2 times weekly. Variety matters; an all-cricket diet causes deficiencies. Do not feed fruit, vegetables or dog/cat food.
Collared Lizard enclosure setup
Adults need a 40-gallon breeder or larger (at least 36x18x18 inches / 90x45x45 cm) with a deep, dry sandy substrate and basking rocks. Provide a hot basking spot of 100-110°F (38-43°C), ambient 80-90°F (27-32°C), and a cool end near 75°F (24°C); nights can drop to 65-70°F (18-21°C). Strong desert UVB (10-12% T5) is mandatory. Humidity should stay low at 20-40% — these are arid lizards.
Common mistakes with Collared Lizards
Critical errors: a basking spot that never reaches 100°F+ (lethargy, poor digestion, MBD), weak or absent UVB (metabolic bone disease), a tank too small for an active sprinting lizard, and feeding only crickets without supplementation.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Basking temperature below 100°F (38°C) — they need desert heat to thrive.
- Weak UVB or none — metabolic bone disease in a fast-growing lizard.
- Too small an enclosure — they are sprinters that need floor space.
- Unsupplemented all-cricket diet — calcium and vitamin deficiencies.