Common Chuckwalla Lizard In Arizona
Reviewed and updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on .
Common Chuckwalla Lizard - Rick BurressNative To Arizona
The common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) is one of Arizona's largest and most recognizable desert lizards. This bulky member of the iguana family spends much of its life around rocky slopes, boulder fields and desert outcrops, where it basks in the sun and feeds mainly on leaves, flowers and other vegetation. Although its heavy body and loose folds of skin can make it look intimidating, the chuckwalla is nonvenomous and generally retreats from people. When threatened, it slips into a rock crevice and inflates its body, making itself extremely difficult for a predator to pull out.
Arizona Chuckwalla Facts
- Scientific Name: Sauromalus ater.
- Family: Iguanidae, the iguana family.
- Typical Size: Large adults commonly reach about 16 inches total length, although some individuals can be larger.
- Diet: Primarily leaves, flowers, buds, shoots and other plant material, with occasional insects.
- Habitat: Rocky desert slopes, lava flows, boulder piles and outcrops with abundant crevices.
- Defense: Retreats into rock cracks and inflates its body to wedge itself securely in place.
- Arizona Range: Primarily warm desert regions of western and central Arizona.
- Venomous: No. Chuckwallas are nonvenomous and pose little threat to people.
How To Identify A Common Chuckwalla
Chuckwallas have broad, flattened bodies, thick tapering tails and distinctive loose folds of skin around the neck and sides. Adult males are generally larger and often have dark or black heads, forelegs and shoulders, while body and tail colors can vary considerably across Arizona from orange-red to gray, cream or nearly black. Females are usually more subdued gray-brown, and juveniles commonly show darker crossbands on the body and tail.
The combination of a heavy build, loose skin, blunt-looking tail and close association with rocky terrain makes the common chuckwalla relatively easy to distinguish from Arizona's smaller desert lizards.
Chuckwalla Habitat And Range
Common chuckwallas inhabit warm desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Their range includes western Arizona as well as portions of California, Nevada, Utah, Baja California and Sonora. In Arizona they are closely associated with rocky Sonoran and Mojave Desert landscapes where boulder piles, canyon walls, lava flows and exposed rock outcrops provide abundant shelter.
Chuckwallas rarely venture far from protective crevices. Rocky habitat is essential because their primary defense depends on quickly retreating into a crack and inflating the body until predators cannot easily remove them.
Where To See Chuckwallas In Arizona
Look for chuckwallas wherever warm desert terrain meets exposed rock. Good habitat occurs along rocky hillsides, canyon walls and boulder fields throughout western and central Arizona, including portions of the lower Colorado River region, Lake Havasu area and desert mountain ranges around metropolitan Phoenix. They may also occur in suitable rocky habitat farther north.
Spring and early summer mornings are especially good times to watch for chuckwallas basking on sun-warmed rocks. As temperatures rise, they often retreat into shaded crevices. Observe them from a distance and never attempt to pull a chuckwalla from its shelter.
Arizona Chuckwalla Video
Chuckwalla Behavior And Diet
Chuckwallas are primarily herbivores. They feed on leaves, flowers, buds, fruits and shoots from desert plants and may occasionally eat insects. In the Sonoran Desert, documented food plants include desert lavender, mallows, wolfberry, foothills palo verde and ocotillo.
Much of a chuckwalla's day revolves around temperature regulation. It often emerges in the morning to bask, then moves between sunny feeding areas and shaded rock shelters as conditions change. Large males may become territorial when food is abundant and use head-bobbing, push-ups and other displays when interacting with rivals.
How Chuckwallas Protect Themselves
Rather than fighting a predator in the open, a threatened chuckwalla usually runs for the nearest rock crevice. Once inside, it expands its lungs and body so that the loose skin presses firmly against the surrounding rock. The inflated lizard becomes extremely difficult to pull free, providing an effective defense against coyotes, birds of prey and other predators.
Chuckwalla Breeding And Young
Chuckwalla breeding generally occurs during the warmer months. Females deposit clutches of eggs in protected underground nests, although they may not reproduce every year when food conditions are poor. Published sources report clutch sizes that commonly fall within roughly 5 to 16 eggs. Young chuckwallas emerge later in the season or, under some conditions, after overwintering in the nest.
When Are Chuckwallas Active?
Chuckwallas are most visible during Arizona's warmer months. They typically become active in late winter or early spring and spend mornings basking before feeding. During intense midday heat they often retreat into rock shelters. Activity declines substantially during colder winter periods, although individuals may occasionally appear near crevices during warm winter weather.
Arizona Chuckwalla FAQ
Are chuckwallas dangerous?
No. Common chuckwallas are nonvenomous and generally avoid people by retreating into nearby rocks and crevices.
How big do chuckwallas get?
Common chuckwallas are large desert lizards that commonly reach about 16 inches in total length, although some individuals may approach 20 inches.
What do chuckwallas eat?
Chuckwallas are primarily herbivores that feed on leaves, flowers, buds, shoots and other plant material. They may occasionally eat insects.
Where do chuckwallas live in Arizona?
They favor warm rocky desert habitats, especially boulder fields, canyon walls, lava flows and exposed hillsides in western and central Arizona.
Why do chuckwallas inflate their bodies?
When threatened, a chuckwalla enters a rock crevice and inflates its body so it becomes tightly wedged and difficult for a predator to remove.
When is the best time to see chuckwallas?
Spring and warm-season mornings are often good times to see chuckwallas basking on rocks before hotter midday temperatures send them into shaded crevices.
Are chuckwallas iguanas?
Chuckwallas belong to the family Iguanidae, the same lizard family that includes iguanas.
Do chuckwallas hibernate?
Their activity drops greatly during colder winter periods, and they spend extended periods sheltered in rock crevices. They commonly become more active again in late winter or early spring.
More Information About Chuckwallas
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Common Chuckwalla
National Park Service: Common Chuckwalla
Arizona Animals
