Sunday I went out on a 4-hour field trip for Geology - it was HOT but I did manage to find these 2 hanging out on a hill. Mr. Chuckwalla just ran around the top of the hill doing push-up's but his buddy the Iguana was very curious! He ran all the way down to investigate us.
Here's Mr Chuckwalla - not the best picture....a little fuzzy but he's in there.
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And a few of his very curious buddy the Desert Iguana.
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Full Version: Mr Chuckwalla And His Buddy The Desert Iguana
Animal facts: Chuckwallas
by April Starr
Chuckwallas also called Chuckawallas are large lizards in the family Iguanidae. The Shoshone called them "tcaxxwal." The Chahuilla Indians that live in southeeastern California called them "caxwal." The Spanish first wrote the name as chacahaula.
Chuckwallas live in the deserts of western Arizona, southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, Sonora and Baja California. They are usually found in areas that have large rocks, boulders, or lava flows. There they can be seen sunning themselves on flat boulders. They also hide in gaps and crevices of rocks and boulders.
Chuckwallas are large lizards second in size to Gila Monsters. The male chuckwallas can reach 18inches in length. They are covered in small scales. The color varies from region to region. However, generally the females are grey or brown. The males are brighter often with a black head and front legs and red, orange, or yellow coloring on their back. The young lizards have a banded tail until the reach adulthood. The skin of the chuckwalla has a baggy appearance, laying in folds at the sides.
This gentle giant of the lizard world is predominantly an herbivore. They eat the flowers, fruits, and leaves of desert plants. They do not drink water but obtain liquids from the plants they consume.
The males can be territorial. The larger males are usually the more dominant ones. The females lay a clutch of about six eggs during the summer. The eggs hatch in September. However, during times of drought or less than normal rainfall, there may be no reproduction.
Chuckwallas are sometimes kept as pets. Although ones captured in the wild often fail to survive those which are born in captivity are usually hardy and thrive very well if they are cared for in the proper manner. They should be given a high bulk diet which consists of a variety of vegetables including romaine lettuce, salad greens, peas, shredded carrots, and apple. They should also be supplemented with calcium and vitamins once a week. They also require sunshine or a high quality heat lamp for UV exposure. In captivity they can live for ten years or more.
by April Starr
Chuckwallas also called Chuckawallas are large lizards in the family Iguanidae. The Shoshone called them "tcaxxwal." The Chahuilla Indians that live in southeeastern California called them "caxwal." The Spanish first wrote the name as chacahaula.
Chuckwallas live in the deserts of western Arizona, southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, Sonora and Baja California. They are usually found in areas that have large rocks, boulders, or lava flows. There they can be seen sunning themselves on flat boulders. They also hide in gaps and crevices of rocks and boulders.
Chuckwallas are large lizards second in size to Gila Monsters. The male chuckwallas can reach 18inches in length. They are covered in small scales. The color varies from region to region. However, generally the females are grey or brown. The males are brighter often with a black head and front legs and red, orange, or yellow coloring on their back. The young lizards have a banded tail until the reach adulthood. The skin of the chuckwalla has a baggy appearance, laying in folds at the sides.
This gentle giant of the lizard world is predominantly an herbivore. They eat the flowers, fruits, and leaves of desert plants. They do not drink water but obtain liquids from the plants they consume.
The males can be territorial. The larger males are usually the more dominant ones. The females lay a clutch of about six eggs during the summer. The eggs hatch in September. However, during times of drought or less than normal rainfall, there may be no reproduction.
Chuckwallas are sometimes kept as pets. Although ones captured in the wild often fail to survive those which are born in captivity are usually hardy and thrive very well if they are cared for in the proper manner. They should be given a high bulk diet which consists of a variety of vegetables including romaine lettuce, salad greens, peas, shredded carrots, and apple. They should also be supplemented with calcium and vitamins once a week. They also require sunshine or a high quality heat lamp for UV exposure. In captivity they can live for ten years or more.
Some Facts About Desert Iguana
Author: John Simmons
The desert iguana (Dipsosaurus Dorsalis) is 10 to 16 inches long when fully grown. It has a large, round body with a long tail. In fact, the tail of the desert iguana is longer than its body. Described as "blunt-headed", desert iguanas have very distinct coloring patterns. The head of the desert iguana is colored brown. This coloration diffuses into reddish brown pattern which could be described as looking like a net.
The desert iguana has gray spots on the trunk and neck. Desert iguanas also have dark spots on their white or gray tails. A row of dorsal scales are located down the center of the back of the desert iguana.
As can be gleamed from its common name, the desert iguana lives in arid desert regions. Desert iguanas are commonly found in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts founding the southwest of the United States. They are also located in Northwestern Mexico and some islands on the Gulf of California. In the southern part of its habitat, the desert iguana usually lives in arid subtropical areas and deciduous forests.
In the desert, these animals can usually be found around the range of the creosote bush. The desert iguana makes use of the creosote bush for shelter and for food. There are also several cases of desert iguanas moving into the abandoned lairs of kangaroo rats.
They are hardy animals, often active even when other lizards have already retreated from the heat. They are also inclined to burrow into the soil near creosote bushes.
Desert iguanas are primarily herbivorous. This means that they are inclined to eat plant matter. They will eat bud, leaves and fruits of many types of perennial or annual plants that are found in their habitats. They are especially attracted to the yellow flowers of the creosote plant.
As said before, desert iguanas remain active even during intense heat. However, if the heat proves too much, a desert iguana will climb bushes in order to seek cooler temperatures. They are very quick and they can often be seen crossing roads just before an oncoming car. When a desert iguana runs at these speeds, it often does so on two legs. It folds its front legs near its body and uses its powerful hind legs to propel it forward.
Like other animals, desert iguanas have natural enemies. In fact, even before they hatch, there area lot of animals which would eat iguana eggs. A mature desert iguana also has different birds of prey as its natural enemy.
Other common enemies of the desert iguana are small animals such as rats, weasels, foxes and snakes. Of course, man is also one common enemy of the iguana. Many a desert iguana has fallen prey to the automobile. These desert iguanas are now referred to as "roadkill" by the human beings who drive these machines carelessly and without regard for the lives of small animals.
These are just some facts about desert iguanas. As you can see, there are many things about them that people need to know. Hopefully, these facts have opened your eyes and have shown you that desert iguanas are so much more than stupid medium sized lizards. By learning all you can about desert iguanas, you will soon be able to fully appreciate their beauty.
Author: John Simmons
The desert iguana (Dipsosaurus Dorsalis) is 10 to 16 inches long when fully grown. It has a large, round body with a long tail. In fact, the tail of the desert iguana is longer than its body. Described as "blunt-headed", desert iguanas have very distinct coloring patterns. The head of the desert iguana is colored brown. This coloration diffuses into reddish brown pattern which could be described as looking like a net.
The desert iguana has gray spots on the trunk and neck. Desert iguanas also have dark spots on their white or gray tails. A row of dorsal scales are located down the center of the back of the desert iguana.
As can be gleamed from its common name, the desert iguana lives in arid desert regions. Desert iguanas are commonly found in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts founding the southwest of the United States. They are also located in Northwestern Mexico and some islands on the Gulf of California. In the southern part of its habitat, the desert iguana usually lives in arid subtropical areas and deciduous forests.
In the desert, these animals can usually be found around the range of the creosote bush. The desert iguana makes use of the creosote bush for shelter and for food. There are also several cases of desert iguanas moving into the abandoned lairs of kangaroo rats.
They are hardy animals, often active even when other lizards have already retreated from the heat. They are also inclined to burrow into the soil near creosote bushes.
Desert iguanas are primarily herbivorous. This means that they are inclined to eat plant matter. They will eat bud, leaves and fruits of many types of perennial or annual plants that are found in their habitats. They are especially attracted to the yellow flowers of the creosote plant.
As said before, desert iguanas remain active even during intense heat. However, if the heat proves too much, a desert iguana will climb bushes in order to seek cooler temperatures. They are very quick and they can often be seen crossing roads just before an oncoming car. When a desert iguana runs at these speeds, it often does so on two legs. It folds its front legs near its body and uses its powerful hind legs to propel it forward.
Like other animals, desert iguanas have natural enemies. In fact, even before they hatch, there area lot of animals which would eat iguana eggs. A mature desert iguana also has different birds of prey as its natural enemy.
Other common enemies of the desert iguana are small animals such as rats, weasels, foxes and snakes. Of course, man is also one common enemy of the iguana. Many a desert iguana has fallen prey to the automobile. These desert iguanas are now referred to as "roadkill" by the human beings who drive these machines carelessly and without regard for the lives of small animals.
These are just some facts about desert iguanas. As you can see, there are many things about them that people need to know. Hopefully, these facts have opened your eyes and have shown you that desert iguanas are so much more than stupid medium sized lizards. By learning all you can about desert iguanas, you will soon be able to fully appreciate their beauty.
^^^^The desert Iguana....so much more than stupid medium sized lizards 
Hadn't seen that part of the article!
Hadn't seen that part of the article!
very cool pics!!!....did the Iguana finally run off?
nope. We were looking at a rock formation opposite the hill they both were on. One of the girls shreiked that a gila monster was gonna get us 
Apparently it was only the chuckwalla. As we were trying to convince her it was a harmless lizard we noticed the iguana.
I don't know if he was being friendly or territorial but he ran all the way down the hill and into some bushes next to the group - there were probably about 15 or so of us. We stayed for at least 30 minutes and he just hung in the bush - when we started to walk away he came out of the bush and followed for a little bit. I thought it was cute! The professor mentioned that they use the same spot for their 'potty' breaks - I guess they are hygenic little lizards!
Apparently it was only the chuckwalla. As we were trying to convince her it was a harmless lizard we noticed the iguana.I don't know if he was being friendly or territorial but he ran all the way down the hill and into some bushes next to the group - there were probably about 15 or so of us. We stayed for at least 30 minutes and he just hung in the bush - when we started to walk away he came out of the bush and followed for a little bit. I thought it was cute! The professor mentioned that they use the same spot for their 'potty' breaks - I guess they are hygenic little lizards!
great job!!!
That is some slapptacious information right there. Yep, The Desert Iguana is a stud. Slap has had the pleasure of hanging out with a couple of them one night. We rapped and rapped, and they just wouldn't stop talkin. They sure is cool, and great to have around the Creosote bushes when you are kickin it at Mother G. Good job DONE. They are active, and if you ever have time to relax and watch from a short distance, you'll see some antics for sure.
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