Chuckwallas: A Mojave Desert Animal

Chuckwallas, also known as chuckawallas, are large species of lizards native to the arid regions of the United States and Mexico. They belong to the Iguanidae family of lizards. Their scientific name Sauromalus is derived from the ancient Greek words 'sauros' meaning lizard and 'omalus' meaning flat.

There are five sub-species of chuckwallas found across the world, namely

• The Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater).
• The Peninsular Chuckwalla (Sauromalus australis).
• The Angel Island Chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus).
• The Monserrat Chuckwalla (Sauromalus slevini).
• The San Esteban chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius).

The common chuckwalla, or the Sauromalus ater, is found in abundance in the Mojave Desert, spanning over California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona in the United States. Most often dwelling in rocky areas, the chuckwallas also inhabit burrows of dirt, especially in case of loss of natural habitat.

These large, flat-bodied lizards have a rounded belly and a tail with wide base and blunt tip. They can grow up to a length of 16 inches and weigh around 2 lbs. They sport loose folds of skin around their necks. Their entire body is covered with small scales, which act as a protective gear. In males, the head, upper trunk and forelegs are black in color, with a hint of reddish-yellow on the mid-body whereas the females are gray or brown, with scattered red spots.

Chuckwallas are mostly herbivores by nature, feeding on flowers, such as brittle bush and leaves. But it is also observed that, occasionally, these lizards also feed on insects. The common chuckwallas have the capacity to climb trees to reach the flowers. They are diurnal in nature, which means they are mostly active during the day and take rest at night. These exothermic creatures spend most of the mornings basking in the hot sun. Large outcrops or piles of boulders are typical basking sites for these lizards. They have adapted themselves perfectly to the arid conditions here and are seen active even when the temperatures are as high as 102 degree Fahrenheit. During the winters however, these lizards go into hibernation, only to return in warmer time of the year.

Chuckwallas communicate through series of actions, such as head hobbing or gaping of the mouth. Territorial, especially during the mating season, male common chuckwallas dominate the other smaller males in his territory. Mating, in chuckwallas, takes place between April and July. The female lays around 5 to 15 eggs, which are hatched in late September or early October.

These shy creatures run away from potential dangers and hence are never considered a threat for humans. They escape into rock crevices, at the slightest sense of danger. When predators attempt to pull them out, they firmly grip the walls of the crevice, with their rough scales and strong claws. They can also inflate their bodies to tighten their hold.

The native Americans used to kill these lizards for food. A specially designed tool, made of stone and stick, was used to pull them out from the rock crevices. Found in abundance, the common chuckwalla is enlisted as one of the least vulnerable species on the planet, by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).