A large stocky herbivorous lizard — males can exceed 16 inches. When threatened, they wedge into rock cracks and inflate their lungs to anchor themselves immovably.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Sauromalus ater, also known as the common chuckwalla or northern chuckwalla, is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. It inhabits the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Its range extends from eastern California, Utah, and Nevada south to Baja California and Sonora.
Source: Wikipedia — Sauromalus ater Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Stocky lizard with loose neck skin; coloration ranges from black to brown to red.
Similar species. Desert Iguana (smaller, paler). Other iguanids (more slender).
Voice. Hisses defensively.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Insects, small lizards, flowers, fruits.
Behavior. Long-lived herbivore-omnivore. Wedges into rock cracks when threatened.
§ Range
Mojave and Sonoran deserts
§ Habitat
Rocky desert slopes, lava flows, boulder piles
§ Threats
Habitat loss to development and solar energy, off-road vehicle damage, climate-driven range shifts.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the common chuckwalla is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support thoughtful solar siting outside chuckwalla habitat. Stay on designated trails. Don't disturb wedged lizards.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Sauromalus ater
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Sauromalus ater
- IUCN Red List · taxon 64064
- iNaturalist · taxon 32413
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Sauromalus ater
§ Sources cited
- Mojave Desert Land Trust
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List 2007
