They can dig their own burrows, but they do not hesitate to use mammal or other ready-made burrows. In digging they use their front legs to remove soil. The burrows are said to extend to a depth of some 8 to 10 inches. The burrows are used as retreats during night and on cool days, and for egg laying. It is not known how closely restricted they are to one burrow or how many burrows are usually made during a season.
Activity begins early in the morning on warm days and falls off during the afternoon.
In late afternoon they disappear completely. They are not active on cool or cloudy days. This lizard lives in relatively dry regions on sandy or other loose soil, in short grass, sparse woods, or areas with scattered, subxerophytic vegetation. Dense vegetation, unless low and not of a moisture-retaining type, is avoided. Within these limits a tremendous variety of habitats are utilized.