Type of Scales: Granular scales

Common Chuckwallas are found in the Mojave & Sonoran Deserts of the U.S. southwestern region. They are seen in rocky areas such as canyons, ancient lava flows and rock outcroppings. Their main defense behavior is to crawl into rock cervices and inflate their bodies to wedge themselves securely between the rocks. Some populations are known to go into burrows instead of rock crevices (Jones & Lovich 2009).

Coloration depends on locality, body color can vary from cream colored to black. Males are more colorful & larger than females. Females tend to be brownish in color with dark crossbands that tend to disappear with age. Some populations have males that are reddish orange torsos and tails, while other populations have males that are black torsos with reddish orange tails. Snout to vent lengths (SVL) tend to be around 5 to 7 inches. Large males can have SVL of up to 9 inches. Juveniles resemble females, and have more distinct banding on tail.

Chuckwallas are generally herbivorous lizards but will take insect prey or even small vertebrate prey when the chance presents itself. Plant parts such as leaves, buds and flowers are generally consumed. The creosote bush and brittlebush are just two of the 20 or so species of desert plants used by chuckwallas.

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