The species is easily disturbed and immediately seeks refuge in crevices, in rodent burrows, and under surface plants when alarmed. The reproductive season lasts from May to mid-July. The females lay a single clutch of 2 to 7 eggs about 1 inch deep in loose soil usually at the base of a shrub. Hatchlings appear in mid-August. Diet consists mainly of ants, spiders, mites, ticks, and other insect types.
Snakes are the main predator of the northern sagebrush lizard.
The species has a camouflage style coloration consisting of pale brown to grayish-green. Four longitudinal rows of darker brown spots are intermixed along the body. Two pale stripes extend down its back from the eye to the tail. An irregular dark spot is located on the shoulder. Females have a ventral surface which is uniformly white with mottled blue on the throat.