Sagebrush lizards are small, reclusive and extremely quick. This may account for the scarcity of sightings in North Dakota. Locals sometime refer to these lizards as “bluebellies” because of the bright blue patches on the undersides of males. Females have white or yellow bellies. They seem to prefer rocky areas near water and adjacent areas of sandy soil and sage-brush in the badlands. Males perform a courtship dance to attract females. The female will deposit 2-10 eggs in loose soil and may have two clutches per year. The eggs hatch in about 60 days. Sagebrush lizards eat a wide variety of insects. These lizards can drop their tail as a defense against predators.
Status: Level III - Species of Conservation Priority (learn more)