The Sagebrush Lizard is a type and species of lizard native to the western United States and parts of Mexico.
It has become popular with reptile enthusiasts in recent years due to its small size, bright colors, and hardy nature.
Caring for a Sagebrush Lizard requires some knowledge of the needs of these unique reptiles, so if you’re considering adding one to your family, read on for tips on providing southern sagebrush lizards with a healthy and happy home.
What Are Sagebrush Lizards?
Sagebrush Lizards are small lizards that are typically gray, olive, or brown in color, with dark markings or banding patterns all across their head and back. Unlike the Western Fence Lizard — the sagebrush lizards normally have no yellow coloring on the rear of their limbs.
They may also have some hints of green or blue on the dorsal surface, and some lizards will also have a black bar on one shoulder, alongside lighter lines across the sides of the body.
Sagebrush lizards are covered in scales, and the females of the species have yellow or white bellies, while males of native species will have blue belly patches, a clear, distinctive blue patch on the abdomen, and sometimes on the throat.
They have prominent eyes and a long tail, which they use for balance. These lizards can reach between 4.7 and 9 cm in length and live for about 10 years in captivity.
Distribution
The Sagebrush lizard is widely distributed to a variety of habitats. This includes open coniferous forests, deserts, shrublands, grasslands and sand dunes of Western Texas, Eastern Oregon, New Mexico, North and South Dakota.
Despite their wide distribution, these western reptiles, particularly the dunes sagebrush lizard, are listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. So, if you have one of these, make sure you follow our guide on how to take good care of these wildlife and shelter them against predators.
Behavior and Activity
Basically, sagebrush lizards are solitary and diurnal reptiles. They hold the activities during the day, foraging for insects and basking in the morning and late afternoon on logs and outcrops of rocks.
Though staying on the ground most of the time, they also have the ability to climb and avoid predators. When the ground temperature reaches a level that is too hot, they retire to low branches of shrubs or take shade under vegetation.
They also take cover underground or under cover during the night, in rainy periods, and on cool, cloudy days.
Temperament and Defense Mechanisms
These lizards are skittish, and most of the time, they run for cover in crevices, bushes, rodent burrows, rocks, or trees when alarmed. Some may remain still and even play dead if they feel threatened.
Knowing this behavior is important in handling and attempting to maintain a low-stress environment during the care of your sagebrush lizard.
Seasonal Activity and Brumation
Sagebrush lizards brumate during the winter, reducing activity. The active season varies geographically and from year to year but is typically from March or April through late September or early October. Juveniles are active later into autumn than adults.
Housing Requirements
When it comes to housing your Sagebrush Lizard, there are a few factors that you need to consider, and these include:
Size
The most important factor when it comes to housing your Sagebrush Lizard will be the size of the enclosure. It is important to ensure that the enclosure is big enough for your lizard, as they need space to move around and explore.
As a rule of thumb, you should provide an enclosure that is at least twice as long and wide as your lizard – this will ensure that they have plenty of space to explore and hide if necessary and will keep them happy and comfortable.
Substrate
The substrate you choose for your Sagebrush lizard is important, as it needs to be easy to clean and also provide a safe surface for your lizard to move and explore on.
In their natural habitat habitats, Sagebrush lizards tend to live in wide, open spaces with sandy soil, and other vegetation,especially the Northern sagebrush lizards. That is why the suitable substrate should mimic this environment. We recommend using either reptile carpet, sand, or gravel as your substrate.
Lighting And Temperature
Sagebrush Lizards require UVB lighting to maintain a healthy level of Vitamin D3 in their diet, so you should ensure that the enclosure is equipped with a good quality UVB bulb.
You should also provide your lizard with an area that is slightly cooler than the main enclosure, as this will give them a space to retreat to when the temperature gets too hot.
The ideal ambient temperature range for Sagebrush Lizards is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so make sure you have the right set-up to accommodate this and keep your sagebrush lizard population happy and healthy.
Climbing Equipment
It is also important to provide your Sagebrush Lizard with plenty of climbing equipment, such as branches supporting shrubs and rocks. This will give them an area to explore and climb on, which will also help to reduce stress levels.
The branches should be placed in different areas of the enclosure so that your lizard can move around and explore, and offer an array of heights and textures to allow them to practice grip and keep their muscles in good shape.
Diet
Sagebrush lizards are omnivorous, so you should provide them with a varied diet that includes both insects and plant matter. They should be fed daily with a variety of live or frozen insects such as crickets, mealworms, and wax worms (see also “Waxworm Care Sheet“).
These in turn should be fed at least 24 hours before being fed to the lizard with tropical fish flakes, as well as plant matter such as leafy greens, including g collard greens, mustard greens, and kale to ensure that the lizards get all the vitamins that they need.
You should also supplement their diet with calcium powder to ensure they are receiving all the essential vitamins and minerals they need.
Young lizards should be offered pinhead crickets once a day and should be given one or two at a time – make sure that your lizard has actually eaten the cricket each time before giving more.
As your pet grows, you can start to change to adult crickets and introduce mealworms into their diet, again, taking time to ensure that they have eaten properly at every meal.
It is also important to remove uneaten food from the animal species enclosure after 24 hours, as leaving this in place can cause damage and injury to your lizard.
Fresh Water
Always ensure that your Sagebrush Lizard has access to clean, fresh water at all times – this can be provided in a shallow bowl or dish and should be changed daily.
Handling
When it comes to handling your Sagebrush Lizard, it is important that you are gentle and patient. Gently scoop up your lizard with both hands and make sure they feel secure and supported, as it may try and wiggle out of your hands.
Your lizard may also become stressed if handled too much, so it is important to limit handling time to a few minutes at a time. This will ensure that both you and your pet remain stress-free!
Some top tips for handling your Sagebrush lizard safely include:
- Make sure your hands are clean and free from dirt or oil.
- Move slowly and don’t make sudden movements as this may startle your lizard.
- Speak in a low, gentle voice when handling your lizard to help keep them calm.
- Never grab them by their tail, as this could cause them injury or stress.
- Provide plenty of support when handling them and make sure they feel secure.
- Always follow their lead – if your lizard doesn’t seem to be enjoying being handled, it’s best to let them go and give them some space.
Final Thoughts
Sagebrush lizards are a fascinating species that require careful care and attention. By providing them with the right equipment, diet, and handling techniques, you can ensure that your northern sagebrush lizard stays happy and healthy for many years to come!
FAQs
How do you take care of a sagebrush lizard?
To take care of your sagebrush lizard, you will need a 20-gallon tank with a sand soil mix. You must also maintain the basking spot at 95-100°F and make sure to keep the humidity low. When feeding, make sure to dust live insects with calcium and offer fresh water daily.
What do sagebrush lizards eat?
Sagebrush lizards eat various small insects like cricket, small roaches, beetles, mealworms and other small invertebrates. It’s also best to dust these insects with calcium powder, a few times a week for their bone health.
What is the difference between a sagebrush lizard and a western fence lizard?
The sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) is much smaller and has finer scales. It is usually gray or brown and inhabits low-elevation, arid habitats. The western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) is larger with coarser scales and features a blue belly. It occurs in varied habitats at higher elevations.
Is the sagebrush lizard endangered?
The sagebrush lizard is not currently considered to be an endangered species. In general, it has a stable population and thereby has been assessed as least concerned on the IUCN Red List. Habitat destruction and other local environmental changes, however, easily have a negative impact on local populations.
How do you identify a sagebrush lizard?
The sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) is a small lizard, 1.9 to 3.5 inches in length. It is gray or brown in color overall with darker crossbands and has smooth, glossy-appearing scales. The lizard’s head is large with well-defined scales, and its body is tapered toward the tail. These characteristics distinguish them from similar species, like the western fence lizard, which differs in terms of size, color patterns, or habitat preference.
