Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I am getting my first CB Angel Island Chuckwalla this Friday. I have been reading that they hibernate in nature. Is this necessary to do this to one that will be just a pet?

Thanks.

Hi Casey
Chucks probably do best if kept by themselves. No stress from other animals. You did right by selecting a Hispidus. They make excellent pets compaired to the other chucks becoming more tame than a bearded dragon. They need no animal food stuff in their diet. No they do not need to be hibernated. That is done mostly just to trigger breeding behavior. You wont be disappointed. Good luck and post pics if ya can. Any other questions do not be afraid to ask. Tom

Tom,
Thanks for the information. I will definately post pictures one I get her. I think it is a female, but she is only 6 months old. How old are they until you know the sex of them? I have this huge enclosure for her already.
Thanks again.
Casey

It really depends on size rather than age. I don't have a whole lot of experience sexing hispidus. What you want to look for is femoral pores. Maybe you can post a pic of the vent area including the underside of the rear legs along with the size of the animal. If it is a good pic we will be able to make an educated guess depending on size of course. Who did you get the chuck from? Tom

I got her from a couple in Michigan that had her as a pet. They had 2, but the first one that I inquired on had already been sold. They sent me pictures and she looks really healthy. I do have experience with Bearded Dragons, Uromastyx, Chameleons and Leopard Tortoises, so I kind of knew what I was looking for. I would never jump into a new species without a little knowledge first. I am still learning about the chucks and I found that this forum was the best place to get info on them. The site on I found on the internet were so outdated. You know that things change in 7 - 10 years. I found an article dated 1997 saying that chucks weren't great pets and that may have been because most were wild caught. The one I am getting is CB, so they say. It isn't like a Bearded Dragon when you know that they are. I have a great reptile vet and I will take her to get a good check up.
I did have a question on the set up. I have noticed that they come from a climate with lots of rocks. I have rocks galore to make this set up nice, but are they good climbers? I don't want to make it too high or too steep.
Also, because they like it hot, how do you keep their skin looking good and shed evenly?

Hi Cassey...

It's hard to ever find the chuck when it looks its best. they don't shed like most smaller lizards. It can take them a long time for their skin to slough off...a little here a little there, the tail for a few days etc. I only concerne myself with the toes if they look problematic. I never try to pull off skin on the back, tail, or head...unless its just a huge flake hanging off, then I might.

Be EXTREMELY careful with rocks. Don't try to over due it in a inside enclosure. Put two large bricks in the bottom of the tank, then put a nice flat rock ontop of that...This makes a perfect basking site and a good hide spot as well.

Concentrate on offering the salads...Mine love dandelion flower and greens, as well as shredded carrots etc. I won't go into detail about diet as that topic was well covered below somewhere.

Just keep it simple. I hear of too many rock accidents which pin or crush lizards. I've had it happen to me twice with collared lizards over the last few years...they can sometimes force theirselves into a tight spot, but can't get back out.

Good luck with the new chuck!

John E.