Description: A large (total length: 40 - 55 cm [16 - 22 in.]), heavy-bodied
lizard with loose folds of skin around the head and neck. In males, the body color generally is blackish with rust or reddish while the tail is unmarked and light-colored. Females and young adults are blackish with light cross bands on the body and tail. Hatchlings and juveniles often have a brightly colored tail of alternating black and orange cross bands. Chuckwallas often are misidentified as Gila monsters. These two species can be separated by the presence of large black and orange scales on the Gila monster. To escape predators, chuckwallas will enter a rock crevice, gulp air, inflate its body, and wedge itself into the crack. They also use their stout tail to slap an approaching predator.
Diet: Primarily eats green leaves, flowers, fruit, and selected shrubs. Young
may eat insects and insect larvae.
Habitat: Mojave desert scrub, blackbrush, salt desert scrub, and mesquite/
catclaw habitats. Typically found on rocky flats, rocky slopes, and boulder
outcrops. Requires shady, well-drained soil for nests.
Range: The species occurs throughout the southwestern deserts: southern
Nevada, southern Utah, and northwestern Mexico. This subspecies occurs in
southeastern California, southern Nevada, southeastern Utah, and western
Arizona. In Clark County, Nevada, this species occurs on virtually all
undisturbed rocky hillsides up to about 1,500 m (4,920 ft) in elevation.
Comments: Chuckwallas were historically used as food by local native peoples.
Special Remarks: Previously a candidate for protection under the Endangered
Species Act. Was proposed as Covered Species but then changed to
Evaluation Species in the Clark County permit.