- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Sauromalus ater
- CLASSIFICATION
- Reptile
- LIFE SPAN
- 8-25 Years
- SIZE
- 5-9” | 0.5-0.7lbs
- STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
-
- Priority Species
- Unprotected
- FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
- Least Concern
- GAME STATUS
- Non-Game
- Washoe
- Humboldt
- Pershing
- Churchill
- Mineral
- Lyon
- Douglas
- Carson City
- Storey
- Elko
- Lander
- Eureka
- White Pine
- Esmeralda
- Nye
- Lincoln
- Clark
Habitat & Range
Chuckwallas are found in southern Nevada in the Mojave Desert. They prefer rocky areas with lots of crevices such as outcrops and rocky hillsides. They do not require a lot of vegetation in their preferred areas.
- Mojave desert
- Sand Dunes
- Warm desert riparian
Threats
- Habitat Degradation
- Habitat Loss
- Overcollection
Natural History
Chuckwallas are strict herbivores but may unintentionally ingest insects that are on the plants they eat. They appear to prefer flower heads or moist leaves. These desert dwelling lizards get most of the water they need from their diet.
To avoid predation, chuckwallas seek shelter in a rock crevice and inflate their lungs to wedge themselves tightly within the crevice. They have wide and flat bodies making it easier for them to fit into small crevices. Chuckwallas are long-lived lizards and take relatively longer to reach sexual maturity than other lizards of similar size.
Fun Facts
OTHER Species
