The sagebrush lizard, Sceloporus graciosus, is a common reptile found across the western United States. These small to medium-sized lizards, typically measuring 1.9 to 3.5 inches from snout to vent, are characterized by their keeled and spiny scales, which often appear in shades of gray, brown, or olive. As their name suggests, they frequently inhabit sagebrush-dominated areas, but their range extends to various environments, including coniferous forests, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and sandy regions with sparse vegetation. These diurnal lizards are active during warmer periods, often seen basking on rocks or logs.
Primary Food Sources
Sagebrush lizards are primarily insectivores, meaning insects constitute the bulk of their diet. Their opportunistic nature allows them to consume a wide variety of small invertebrates available in their habitat.
Ants are a significant component of their diet due to their widespread availability. Beetles, including their larvae, also form a substantial part of their intake.
Other common prey items include grasshoppers, crickets, flies, and various insect larvae such as caterpillars. They also actively hunt and consume arachnids like spiders, mites, and scorpions. The specific composition of their diet can fluctuate throughout the year, depending on the seasonal abundance of different prey species.
Other Dietary Components
While insects and other arthropods make up the majority of their diet, sagebrush lizards may occasionally consume other items. They might ingest small amounts of plant material, such as leaves, flowers, or seeds. However, this consumption is typically incidental, often occurring while they are capturing insect prey, and does not represent a significant nutritional component of their diet.
Very small, slow-moving invertebrates, such as certain types of worms, might also be consumed. These instances are less common and typically contribute a minor portion to their overall food intake. Such items serve as opportunistic food sources, eaten when encountered rather than actively sought out.
Hunting and Foraging Strategies
Sagebrush lizards employ a “sit-and-wait” foraging strategy as their primary method for obtaining food. They spend considerable time perched in a strategic location, often at the edge of shrubs or on rocks, patiently waiting for prey to come within striking distance.
Their keen eyesight plays a role in detecting the movement of insects. Once prey is spotted, the lizard launches a rapid, short burst of speed to ambush and capture it. This quick acceleration allows them to snatch their food efficiently.
While primarily ambush predators, they also engage in some active foraging, moving slowly through their environment to locate prey. Their natural camouflage helps them blend into their surroundings, aiding both in ambushing prey and avoiding predators.