Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) 



Description: The Sagebrush Lizard is small (1.5 - 2.5" body length) and narrow-bodied. The 

 color pattern in adults consists of alternating dark and light stripes running down the back. 

 The colors are typically brown, gray, and cream. Males have mottled blue throat patches and 

 bright blue belly patches, while females are white or yellow below (Censky 1986). The body 

 and tail scales appear somewhat spiny. 



Eggs and young: There are 2-7 tough, white leathery eggs in a clutch, averaging about 7.5 X 

 12 mm (Nussbaum el al. 1983). Body length of hatchlings is about 25 mm, and coloration is 

 similar to adults. 



Similar species; None in the Miles City District, BLM region. The Short-homed Lizard has a 

 wide body. 



Habitat and Habits: Sagebrush Lizards are found primarily in sagebrush areas, but also occur in 

 open forests and brush lands; they are found in both areas of fine soils and rocky outcrops 

 (Hammerson 1982a, Baxter and Stone 1985, Nussbaum etal. 1983). In the Yellowstone 

 area, they are found near thermal features (Mueller 1969). They are active during the day, 

 with peaks of activity around 10 a.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m. (Hammerson 1982a). Females lay 

 eggs in loose or sandy soil in early summer; the young hatch in late summer. Small juveniles 

 were captured in Carbon County on 25 September 1995 (Appendix 4). They feed primarily 

 on insects and other arthropods. 



Surveying: They may be surveyed for by slowly walking through appropriate habitat on warm, 

 sunny days and carefully watching for them; this technique is very eflFective for the Sagebrush 

 Lizard. However, as with many lizards and snakes, they may easily be missed if conditions are 

 not correct. Careftilly documented incidental observations provide excellent clues to their 

 distribution. They may be captured with a pole and noose or may be also taken in funnel traps 

 with drift fences. Adults and juveniles have been captured inadvertently in pitfall can traps set 

 for shrews (pers. observ). Mark-recapture methods offer the best opportunity for 

 determining population status. 



Status: The Sagebrush Lizard was a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Category 2 Candidate 

 species (USFWS 1994). It is apparently locally common in southern Montana, from 

 Yellowstone Park eastward to at least Chalk Butte in Carter County. The species was 

 common in Carbon County on the south side of the Pryor Mountains in 1995 (Appendix 4). 

 This species was not encounter during the 1 998 surveys, but there was one 1 998 record from 

 Dawson County near Glendive. They are known from the western border of South Dakota 

 south of Harding County (C. R. Peterson pers. comm., Stukel and Backlund 1997), and two 

 disjunct populations are known from the western edge of North Dakota (Censky 1986). This 

 species should be watched for, and any animals located should be documented. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G5 S4. 



30 



