Description: The sagebrush lizard is usually 1.9 to 3.5 inches snout-to-vent length (SVL) when fully grown. Hatchlings are about 0.98 inches SVL. The sagebrush lizard looks very similar to the western fence lizard, but differs in that it is typically smaller and has an increased number of scales. In appearance, sagebrush lizards are grey, brown or olive, with hints of blue or green on the dorsal surface during the light phase, and they often have irregular banding patterns on the body and tail. They also often display a black bar on the shoulder, and a light lateral and dorsolateral line on both sides. The scales on the rear portion of the thigh are small and granular, while the armpit and lateral surface of the body is often rust-colored. Females have white or yellow bellies, and males have distinctive blue patches on the abdomen and throat, although the throat patch can be absent. Males also have enlarged postanal scales, and two areas of swelling at the base of the tail. During the breeding season, males may develop orange breeding colors. Young lizards look similar to adults, but lack the dark blue markings.

Habitat: Lives in sagebrush and other types of shrublands such as manzanita and ceanothus, as well as open pine and Douglas Fir forests, mainly in the mountains (usually at higher elevations than the Western Fence Lizard but they coexist at lower elevations). In coastal redwood forests, lives along river bottoms. Prefers open areas with scattered low bushes and lots of sun.

Range: This subspecies (or species) is found in the Transverse and Peninsular mountains of southern California, and in the Sierra San Pedro Martir of northern Baja California.

Found in these States: CA

Diet: Sagebrush lizards eat a variety of insects, such as ants, beetles, grasshoppers, flies, hemipterans, and lepidopterans; they also eat arachnids.

Reproduction: Males defend territories both during and after the breeding season. Territorial defense is accomplished by posturing and physical combat. Male and female territories overlap, which enables the male lizards to court and mate with a few familiar females. Courtship involves head bob and shudder displays, and is physically demanding and time-consuming. Males are usually slightly larger than females. Sagebrush lizards mate in the spring, and have one or two clutches of two to ten eggs that are laid during late spring to midsummer. The eggs are laid about 1 inch deep in loose soil, usually at the base of a shrub. The eggs hatch in 45 to 75 days (approximately two months). Females in the northwestern range may produce two clutches. The young become sexually mature in the first (southern range) or second (northern range) year.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the relatively large and stable extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size. No major threats have been identified. The disjunct populations in southern California and Baja California warrant further taxonomic study and might need to be separately assessed.

Taxonomy: