Sagebrush Lizard

Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus)
Description: 2" to 2½" snout-vent length; under 6" overall. Color mottled brownish to gray, with faint suggestions of stripes down back. Throat commonly mottled blue. Small keeled scales on back.

Sagebrush Lizard; notice the black bar on the shoulder
The dorsal scales are uniform in size. Compare these with the dorsal scales on a tree lizard, with which these lizards can be confused when they don't have the typical striped dorsal pattern.

Western Sagebrush Lizard
Sighting:
Peppermint Camp, Sequoia National Forest, Tulare County, California ...

Sagebrush lizards from the White Mountains in Inyo County.
Several lizards from Mono and Inyo Counties, including a dual push-up display.
Description ...

The subspecies that occurs in our area is the Western Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus gracilis).
Taxonomic Etymology ...

Sagebrush Lizard (S. graciosus)
Mesquite Lizard (S. grammicus)
Western Fence Lizard (S. occidentalis)
Texas Spiny Lizard (S. olivaceus)
Crevice Spiny Lizard (S. poinsettii)
Blue Spiny Lizard (S. serrifer)
Eastern Fence Lizard (S. undulatus) ...

See also: Lizard, Fence Lizard, Horned Lizard, Western Fence Lizard, Turtle