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DISTRIBUTION
The chuckwalla is distributed throughout
the deserts of southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern
Utah, western Arizona, Sonora, and Baja California. Its distribution
closely mirrors the combined Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.
The chuckwalla's preferred habitat
is boulder-covered slopes, at elevations up to 4500 |
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at lower elevations. They sun themselves on prominent rocks
during warm weather, and it's not unusual to see several chuckwallas
at the same time from a single vantage point.. |
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DESCRIPTION
The chuckwalla is the largest nonvenomous
lizard in the United States. reaching nearly 16 inches (40
cm) in length. It is very plump and has folds of loose skin
on the sides of its body. The color varies between sexes and
with the age of the individual. Adult males have black heads
and forelimbs; their trunks may be black, red, orange, gray,
or yellow. Females and juveniles may have gray or yellow banding.
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DIET
These diurnal lizards emerge in the morning
and, before seeking food, bask in the sun until its body temperature
reaches 100 - 105 degrees F. Strictly herbivorous, it eats fruit,
leaves, buds and flowers. They're particularly fond of yellow flowers,
such as those found on the brittle-bush (Encelia farinosa),
and, on occasion, will climb into this plant to get to the yellow
feast. |
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LIFE CYCLE/SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
In the wild, chuckwallas are shy, and, if
approached, will hide in the cracks and crevices of nearby boulders.
When challenged or frightened, the Chuckwalla will run into crevices
between rocks and inflate its body with air to create a tight wedge
making it virtually impossible to remove an unwilling lizard without
injury.Both males and females defend their territory. Males will
tolerate the presence of females in their territories.
There are no reports of predation on this
lizard but they are probably taken by coyotes and other mammalian
predators, larger avian predators, and possibly snakes.
Chuckwallas can live up to 25 years. |
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REPRODUCTION
Breeding occurs from April to
June with a peak of activity in late April to May. Clutch
size ranges from 6-13, with the average being 8 eggs. Females
may produce one clutch in 2 or 3 years (Johnson 1965, Berry
1974). |
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COMMUNICATION
Chuckwallas
are visually oriented lizards that communicate by color and behavior
displays. A combination of head-bobbing, body push-ups, and open
mouth displays will attract a mate or defend a territory. |
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