The family Crotaphytidae, or collared lizards, are desert-dwelling reptiles native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They are very fast-moving animals, with long limbs and tails, and are carnivorous, feeding mainly on insects.

There are 12 species in two genera.

Technical characters

• Femoral pores present.
• Interparietal scale small (distinctly smaller than ear opening).
• Never have an enlarged midorsal scale row or fringe.
• Never have a divided rostral scale.
• No bony spines or projecting ridges on their heads.
• No scales projecting over their ears, and no scales forming a prominent fringe on sides of toes as in Phrynosomatidae.

Species

Genus Gambelia (leopard lizards)

• Cope's Leopard Lizard – Gambelia copeii
• Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard – Gambelia sila
• Long-nosed Leopard Lizard – Gambelia wislizenii

Genus Crotaphytus (collared lizards)

• Venerable Collared Lizard – Crotaphytus antiquus
• Desert Collared Lizard – Crotaphytus bicinctores
• Common Collared Lizard – Crotaphytus collaris
• Grismer's Collared Lizard – Crotaphytus grismeri
• Sonoran Collared Lizard – Crotaphytus nebrius
• Reticulated Collared Lizard – Crotaphytus reticulatus
• Baja Collared Lizard – Crotaphytus vestigium