Sceloporus graciosus

Sagebrush Lizard

Identification/Variations: A small cousin of the Western Fence Lizard that has its dorsal markings run together to make parallel lines instead of separate dots. This lizard will sometimes have orange markings on its sides. There are 3 recognized regional variations of this lizard. The Southern Sagebrush lizard lives in Southern California, but the Western and Northern Sagebrush variations are found in our area with the Northern occurring east of the Cascade Mountains and the Western Sagebrush living only in southwest Oregon.

Range/Habitat: Found east of the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon into Idaho, Sagebrush Lizards are also present in southwest Oregon. It is common within this range and is usually associated with Sagebrush scrub habitat.

Notes: Sagebrush Lizards are typically found in the high deserts of the Great Basin and Columbia Basin. However, there is a population on the rim of Crater Lake at an elevation of 7,000 ft.

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