| Species | Sceloporus graciosus Baird and Girard |
| Family | Iguanidae (Iguanids) |
| Status | Federal Species of Concern |
| State Rank | S3 |
| Global Rank | G5 |
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This is a small (usually less than 60 mm snout-vent length) gray or brown lizard with a mid-dorsal stripe, two light colored dorsolateral stripes, and a series of dark chevron-shaped blotches or crossbars between the stripes. The belly is white. Typically the axilla (arm-pit) is orange or rust colored. On females, this coloration may extend onto the neck and sides of the body. Mature males have enlarged post anal scales, a swollen tail base, bright blue patches on the margins of the abdomen and blue mottling on the throat. Females may have some blue-tinged scales on the margin of the abdomen. Hatchlings (about 25 mm snout-vent length) and juveniles are similar in appearance to adults but do not have any blue pigmentation on the belly. See Photos Page.
The Side-blotched Lizard is similar in size and appearance to the Sagebrush Lizard but has a gular fold, a black spot on the body behind the front forelimbs, and a mottled or spotted dorsal pattern. The Western Fence Lizard is similar in appearance but the adults are larger (> 60 cm snout-vent length), have large spiny dorsal scales, keeled yellow scales on the posterior surface of the thighs, and do not have orange or rust colored axilla. The entire throat of the mature male Fence Lizard is blue and the blue belly-patches are distinctly outlined in black. See Key Features Page.
Sagebrush Lizards are active on warm, sunny days from early April into October. Eggs are laid in early summer. Hatchlings appear in early August. Over-wintering behavior has not been studied in Washington.
In Washington, the historical range is the Columbia Plateau and Okanogan Ecoregions. See Distribution Map.
For information on the complete range of this species, see NatureServe Explorer.
In Washington, this gregarious lizard is primarily associated with sand dunes and other sandy habitats that support shrubs and have large areas of bare ground. Sagebrush Lizards bask in the morning and late afternoon. Typically, they can be seen on the ground at the edge of shrubs or other vegetation that provide cover from predators. When ground temperatures become hot, Sagebrush Lizards move into the low branches of shrubs or under vegetation. At night, on rainy days and on cool cloudy days they move underground or shelter under debris.
The status is based on the patchy distribution in Washington, the small number of known occurrences, and the relatively narrow habitat requirements.
Inventory of historical sites is needed in Walla Walla and Yakima counties. Sagebrush Lizard occurrences from areas that are not indicated on the distribution map should be reported to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Recent research in Oregon suggests that the Sagebrush Lizard is limited to habitats that have sandy soils. In Washington, all recently confirmed sites are associated with sand dunes or other sandy habitats. Any activities that alter these habitats, such as conversion to agriculture and/or activities that promote the invasion of cheat grass (Bromus tectorum), are likely detrimental to Sagebrush Lizard populations.
The Natural Heritage Program (L. Hallock) under a challenge-cost share contract from the Bureau of Land Management, has been surveying all the historical Sagebrush Lizard locations and conducting surveys at other sites in the Columbia Basin to determine the current distribution and status of this species. These surveys will continue in 2005.
Green et al. (2001), Nussbaum et al. (1983), Stebbins (1985), Storm and Leonard (1995).
Hallock, L.A. and McAllister, K.R. 2005. Sagebrush Lizard. Washington Herp Atlas. http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/
Last updated: February 2005