Sceloporus graciosus

Identification

Common sagebrush lizards have small, narrow light brown, olive, or gray bodies with a blueish or greenish hue on the top. They have a wide light gray stripe down the back with faint black and white markings. Pale stripes are found on both sides, bordered by darker gray or brown. They also have irregular dark markings that run down the back and on each shoulder. Female common sagebrush lizards have white, pale blue, or yellow coloring on the underside, whereas males have patchy blue coloration on the sides of the abdomen and blue mottling or streaking on the throat. Mature adults reach 4-6 in/10-15 cm in length with a tail length approximately 1.5 times the body length.

Observation Tips

The common sagebrush lizard can be found in areas with sandy soil and large areas of open ground. They are most active on warm sunny days, typically from early April through October, where they can be seen near and under shrubs and other vegetation that provides shelter from predators and heat. They will retreat underground or under rocks and woody plants at night or on cool, wet days.

Interesting Fact

Common sagebrush lizards can drop their tails to escape predators. The tail can regenerate like the prairie lizard, but it is usually shorter and a slightly different color than the original tail.

Ideal Habitat

Sagebrush lizards occupy arid regions of the Great Basin in the western United States. Contrary to the name, they occur in a variety of habitats, including deserts, open coniferous forests, mixed forests, grasslands, sand dunes, and shrublands. The common sagebrush lizard often resides in areas with abundant bare ground, mixed with small shrubs (often less than 10 in/25 cm) and grass cover less than 20%. Sites with extensive litter are generally avoided. Sagebrush lizards are known to perch on rocks and logs. They burrow in soil or use rodent burrows for shelter.

Range map provided by International Union for Conservation of Nature

Management Activities that Benefit Species – Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Maintain native grasslands and shrublands by removing woody vegetation and managing invasive non-native species. Invasive plant species such as cheatgrass can increase fire frequency and eliminate native grasses. Effective integrated invasive species management practices include removal through chemical or mechanical means, planting native species to outcompete invasive species, and improving biological soil crust health. Since common sagebrush lizards live in sparsely vegetated regions, livestock grazing can be compatible if grazing maintains or creates patches of ideal habitat.

Management Activities to Avoid

Avoid habitat conversion to agriculture or development.  The removal of sagebrush and other shrubs should be avoided. Avoid the introduction of invasive non-native species which can degrade the habitat. Avoid habitat fragmentation from roads and off-road vehicle use.

Other Species that Benefit from Similar Habitat Management

Managing for common sagebrush lizard will benefit many other species that are dependent on intact high-quality desert shrublands, including greater sage grouse.  Species that prey on the common sagebrush lizard include red-tailed hawks, striped whipsnakes, desert collared lizards, and American kestrels.

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Download the Common Sagebrush Lizard factsheet

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Other Resources

Amphibians and Reptiles of South Dakota Common Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus)

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 2014. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2021-1 Common Sagebrush Lizard

Montana Field Guide Common Sagebrush Lizard

NatureServe. 2021. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia Sceloporus graciosus.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Species of Washington. Sagebrush lizard

Photo credit: Jon Sullivan/Flickr