Chuckwalla
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Chuckwallas
Scientific classificationKingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Sauropsida
Order:
Squamata
Suborder:
Sauria
Family:
Iguanidae
Genus:
Sauromalus
Dumeril, 1856Species
Sauromalus ater
Sauromalus australis
Sauromalus hispidus
Sauromalus obesus
Sauromalus slevini
Sauromalus varius
Chuckwallas (less commonly
Chuckawallas) are large
lizards found primarily in arid regions of the southwestern
United States and northern
Mexico. Some are found on coastal islands. There are five species of Chuckwalla, all within the
genus Sauromalus; they are part of the
iguana family,
Iguanidae.
The name
Chuckwalla derives from the
Shoshone word "tcaxxwal" or
Cahuilla "caxwal", transcribed by
Spaniards as "chacahuala".
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[edit] Physical description
Reaching a total length of 16 inches (40 centimetres) and a weight of 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms), Chuckwallas are noted for their wide, flattened midsections and prominent paunch. Their tails are also notably thick, tapering to a blunt tip. Loose folds of skin characterise the neck and sides of the body, which is covered in small, coarsely granular scales. Males are generally larger than females.
Sexual dimorphism is marked, with males having reddish to orange, yellow or light gray bodies and black heads, shoulders and limbs; females and the immature have bodies with scattered spots or contrasting bands of light and dark in shades of gray or yellow.
Well-developed femoral
pores are located on the inner side of the thighs in males; these pores produce secretions believed to play a role in marking
territory.
[edit] Range, habitat and diet
The genus
Sauromalus has a wide distribution in
desert biomes. This is especially true of the
Common Chuckwalla (
Sauromalus ater), found from southern
California east to southern
Nevada and
Utah, western
Arizona and south to
Baja California and northwestern Mexico. Other species are island-dwelling and therefore have much more restricted distributions: Two rare and
endangered are the
Chuckwalla de Montserrat (
Sauromalus slevini) found on
Islas Carmen,
Coronados and
Montserrat and the
San Esteban Chuckwalla or Painted Chuckwalla (
Sauromalus varius) found on
San Esteban,
Lobos and
Pelicanos. The
Angel Island Chuckwalla (
Sauromalus hispidus) and
Peninsular Chuckwalla (
Sauromalus australis) are found on
Isla Ángel de la Guarda and surrounding islands off the coast of the
Baja California peninsula.
Chuckwallas prefer
lava flows and rocky areas, such as those found in the
Sonoran and
Mojave Deserts. These areas are typically vegetated by
creosote bush and other such drought-tolerant scrub. The lizards may be found at elevations of up to 4,500 feet (1,370 metres).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Western.chuckwalla.arp.jpg 
Western chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
Primarily
herbivorous, Chuckwallas feed on leaves, fruit and flowers of
annuals and
perennial plants;
insects represent a supplementary prey. The lizards are said to prefer yellow flowers, such as those of the
brittlebush (
Encelia farinosa).
[edit] Behavior and reproduction
Harmless to humans, these lizards are known to run from potential threats; a tight rock crevice is sought wherein the Chuckwalla will inflate its body with air in order to entrench itself.
Males are seasonally and conditionally territorial; an abundance of resources tends to create a hierarchy based on size, with one large male dominating the area's smaller males. Chuckwallas use a combination of colour and physical displays, namely "push ups", head-hobbing, and gaping of the mouth to communicate and defend their territory (see
animal communication). In lean periods no territories are observed.
Chuckwallas are
diurnal animals and as they are
exothermic, spend much of their mornings and winter days
basking. These lizards are well adapted to desert conditions; they are active at temperatures of up to 102°F (39°C). Chuckwallas
hibernate during cooler months and emerge in February.
Mating occurs from April to July, with 5-16 eggs laid between June and August. The eggs hatch in late September. Chuckwallas may live for 25 years or more.:smile: hope this helps:smile: