Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The Chuckwalla is a large stocky wide-bodied lizard with a flattened midsection and prominent belly. Their tails are thick, tapering to a blunt tip. Part of the iguanid family, Iguanidae, there are five species of chuckwalla, all within the genus Sauromalus. Found primarily in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico with a wide distribution in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts, some are found on coastal islands. The common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) is the species with the greatest range, found from southern California east to southern Nevada and Utah, western Arizona and south to Baja California and northwestern Mexico. The peninsular chuckwalla (Sauromalus australis) is found on the eastern portion of the southern half of the Baja California peninsula. The other species are island-dwelling and have much more restricted distribution. Here you may post messages or questions pertaining to all aspects and issues regarding the keeping, breeding, health, and conservation of Chuckwallas. If you are a new user to this forum, please take the time to review the rules first before posting.