Common Sagebrush Lizard
ExploreReptiles
Common Sagebrush Lizard
sceloporus graciosus
The Common Sagebrush Lizard is a small and colorful lizard that loves to bask in the sun! With its amazing ability to change colors, it can blend into its surroundings and avoid predators.
Habitat: They live in sagebrush deserts and dry grasslands across the western United States.
Appearance
The Common Sagebrush Lizard is typically gray, tan, or brown with dark blotches or stripes that help it blend in. Males often display vibrant blue patches on their throat and belly, especially during breeding season. Its scales are granular, giving it a somewhat rough appearance.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyPhrynosomatidaeGenusSceloporus
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each sagebrush lizard has unique markings, just like human fingerprints!
They swallow sand to help digest their food and get important minerals!
This lizard can do push-ups to show off to other lizards!
To warm up, they angle their bodies perfectly to catch the sun's rays!
Special abilities
Ability
Camouflage Power
Common Sagebrush Lizard can blend perfectly into its rocky and sandy surroundings because of its mottled skin patterns that help them hide from predators.
Ability
Tail Escape
Common Sagebrush Lizard can detach its tail when caught by a predator, because the wiggling tail distracts the attacker, allowing them to escape.
Ability
UV Vision
Common Sagebrush Lizard has special eyes that can see ultraviolet light, which helps them find food and spot other lizards.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-20 cm
- Weight
- 0.002-0.01 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Top Speed
- 18 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-10
- Incubation
- 45-75 days
Diet & Feeding
Mostly eats small insects and spiders, but will snack on plants and even other tiny lizards!
Primary Foods
- ants
- beetles
- grasshoppers
- spiders
- small caterpillars
- some plant matter
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
Silky Ant
Formica fusca
A common prey item for young lizards.
hunts
House Cricket
Acheta domesticus
A common insect prey in its habitat.
eaten by
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
A primary predator of these small lizards.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Hunts lizards from the sky.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Sagebrush LizardWestern Sagebrush Lizard
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Common Sagebrush Lizard?
10-20 cm
How much does Common Sagebrush Lizard weigh?
0.002-0.01 kg
How long does Common Sagebrush Lizard live?
2-5 years
How fast can Common Sagebrush Lizard move?
18 km/h
What does Common Sagebrush Lizard eat?
Mostly eats small insects and spiders, but will snack on plants and even other tiny lizards!
Where is Common Sagebrush Lizard usually found?
They live in sagebrush deserts and dry grasslands across the western United States.
How does Common Sagebrush Lizard hunt?
Ambush
How many eggs does Common Sagebrush Lizard lay?
2-10
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park8 sightings3 species
California, US
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
You might spot Warrior's Plume, Diogenes' Lantern, and Checker Lily.
View guide →
Park21 sightings2 species
California, US
Shady Rest Park
You might spot Jeffrey Pine and Pandora Pinemoth.
View guide →
Park0 sightings0 species
Montana, US
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
You might spot Bighorn Sheep and Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany.
View guide →
