Sagebrush Lizard

Sagebrush Lizard

Sceloporus graciosus

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
20–30% · Possible
overall probability at Yosemite National Park
196 Verified records at Yosemite National Park
May Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The sagebrush lizard or sagebrush swift (Sceloporus graciosus) is a common species of phrynosomatid lizard found at mid to high altitudes in the western United States. It belongs to the genus Sceloporus (spiny lizards) in the Phrynosomatidae family of reptiles. Named after the sagebrush plants near which it is commonly found, the sagebrush lizard has keeled and spiny scales running along its dorsal surface. The sagebrush lizard is similar to the western fence lizard, another Sceloporus species found in the western US. The sagebrush lizard can be distinguished from the western fence lizard in that the former is on average smaller and has finer scales. The keeled dorsal scales are typically gray or tan, but can be a variety of colors. The main (ground) color is broken by a lighter gray or tan stripe running down the center of the back (vertebral stripe) and two light stripes, one on either side of the lizard (dorsolateral stripes). Wikipedia →

20–30% of wildlife watchers report a Sagebrush Lizard sighting in Yosemite National Park, based on 196 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

📅 Monthly Probability

<5
Jan
<5
Feb
10–20
Mar
20–30
Apr
30–40
May
30–40
Jun
30–40
Jul
30–40
Aug
20–30
Sep
10–20
Oct
<5
Nov
<5
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Zion National Park 🇺🇸 United States
50–60%
2 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 🇺🇸 United States
40–50%
3 Yosemite National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
4 Grand Canyon National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
5 Death Valley National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
6 Yellowstone National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
7 Badlands National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
8 Grand Teton National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Sagebrush Lizard in Yosemite National Park?

About 28% of wildlife watchers report a Sagebrush Lizard sighting in Yosemite National Park, based on 196 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Sagebrush Lizard in Yosemite National Park?

May has the highest sighting rate for Sagebrush Lizard in Yosemite National Park in our monthly data.

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