Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Chilian chuckwallas are not even remotely related to true chuckwallas. This was just a name hung on them by some importers because of their slight resemblance to Sauromalus. This is a lizard that really should not have been introduced into the pet trade at all because there enviromental needs are almost next to impossible to maintain in captivity. They live at relatively high elevations with cool temperatures with very intense sunlight. They inhabit microhabitats in the windswept mountain slopes in Chile. The average temps are in the low to mid fifties but the rocky areas they inhabit become warm from the intense sun. They inhabit low areas out of the wind on these slopes. Very specialized and hard to keep.

Hey Tom, thank you for the wealth of you gave. It adds to the research I'm doing on them. And let me tell you.. there isn't much... I have a few Scientific/tech papers on them.. some in spanish, one or two in English.. some from the late 1800's, a few from the 60's & 70's.

Here's one bit of information I've learned about "Chilean Chucks" -
Currently there are 10 species recognized:
Phymaturus antofagastensis, P. indistinctus, P. mallimaccii, P.nevadoi, P. palluma (the one that came into the country in the early 90's), P. patagonicus, P. payunae, P. punae, P. somuncurensis, and P. zapalensis.

If ANYONE has any more info, or experiences with these knifty lizards, please post!

Now.... back to feeding all the Chuckwallas, Uromastyx, Bearded Dragons, Swifts, and Alligator Lizards...

Aaron

Hey Tom, thank you for the wealth of INFORMATION you gave

Oops!

that they may be parthenogenic? I read in in one of their journals. Some prof kept some in captivity for about 2 years I think and it gave birth to one or two babies but was never with a male. Could have been sperm storage but they were not sure.