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The Oklahoma Collared Lizard or Collared Lizard, Crotaphytus collaris, is a North American
lizard that can be up to a foot (30 cm) long in total length (including
the tail), with a large head and powerful jaws. They are well known for
the ability to run on their hind legs, looking like small dinosaurs. The collared lizard is the "state reptile" of the United States state of Oklahoma, where it is known as the Mountain Boomer.
The name "collared lizard" comes from the lizards' distinct coloration,
which includes bands of black aroud the neck and shoulders that look
like a collar. It is a member of the collared lizard family.
These reptiles are often tamed and kept as pets. When born in
captivity, they are quite docile and tolerant of interaction with
humans. They are very active and predatory lizards, requiring a large
amount of space to run. They prefer high temperatures, up to 105-110°F
(40-43°C) at their basking spot and 80°F (26°C) elsewhere in their
habitat during the day. Some collared lizards eat small amounts of
fruit or vegetables, but most prefer a diet of insects. They will also
consume vertebrate prey, including small mammals and other lizards.
Like many reptiles, in captivity they must be provided a diet
supplemented with extra calcium and a light source with a UVB radiation to reduce the risk of bone disorders.
The origin of the name "mountain boomer" is not clear, but it may date back to settlers travelling west during the Gold Rush.
One theory is that settlers mistook the sound of wind in canyons for
the call of an animal in an area where the collared lizard was
abundant. In reality, collared lizards are silent.
These animals are possibly best known for their predatory nature. Like many other lizards, including the frilled lizard and basilisk,
collared lizards can run on their hind legs, and are relatively fast
sprinters. Record speeds have been around 16 miles/hour (26 km/h), much
slower than the world record for lizards (21.5 miles/h or 34.6 km/h)
attained by the larger-bodied Costa Rica spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis).
Recently, collared lizards in the wild have been the subject of a number of studies of sexual selection.
References
Bonine, K. E., and T. Garland, Jr. 1999. Sprint performance of
phrynosomatid lizards, measured on a high-speed treadmill, correlates
with hindlimb length. Journal of Zoology, London 248:255-265. PDF
Garland, T., Jr. 1984. Physiological correlates of locomotory
performance in a lizard: an allometric approach. Am. J. Physiol. 247
(Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 16):R806-R815. PDF
Husak, J. F., and S. F. Fox. 2006. Field use of maximal sprint speed
by collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris): compensation and sexual
selection. Evolution 60:1888-1895.
Husak, J. F., Fox, S. F, Lovern, M. B., and Van Den Bussche, R. A.
2006. Faster lizards sire more offspring: sexual selection on
whole-animal performance. Evolution 60:2122-2130.
Lappin, A. K., Y. Brandt, J. F. Husak, J. M. Macedonia, and D. J.
Kemp. 2005. Gaping displays reveal and amplify a mechanically based
index of weapon performance. American Naturalist 168:100-113.
Snyder, R. C. 1962. Adaptations for bipedal locomotion of lizards. Am. Zool. 2:191-203.
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Reptiles 
