Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am wondering if anyone has ever crossed any of the island chucks with common chucks. I am not a big fan of hybrids but since it is already happened with calicos, It makes me think what would a redback X calico look like? Would the screamer f2's be the first "designer chucks" ?

I had read an account on page 133 in the book- "Amphibians and Reptiles of Baja California, Including Its Pacific Islands and the Islands in the Sea of Cortés" about an "introgressive hybrid population of Sauromalus involving S. varius, S. hispidus, S. obesus." A picture of five hybrids appears on the same page. The island where this was observed occurred is Alcatraz in Bahia Kino.
Thinking in the same direction as your question, I purchased a juvenile male Calico in May and turned him loose with two NV Obesus 5-6 year old females in my outdoor enclosure; my enclosure has been around since 2001 and I have kept primarily Sauromalus and Dipsosaurus (with successful reproduction of each) as well as other common Mojave desert species. These females hadn't seen a male for more than two seasons.

Just this afternoon I saw a hatchling sunning on a rock in the enclosure. I was very surprised to see it as I thought my calico male was too young when introduced. So, unless simply the presence of a male would cause these females to access stored sperm (which some desert reptiles have the ability, not sure about chucks) I would say at this point it is very possible! I plan to take a picture of the little guy tomorrow and look for more. The enclosure is fairly large 8' x 30' with rocks and plants so they can hide very easily. I will try to post some pics if anyone is interested...

I was able to capture the little guy.

Possible Calico father.

My outdoor enclosure.

This is my outdoor enclosure...

This is the only rooster in the coup...

I'd love to see the photos but they are not pulling up for me.

I can now see the last three photos you posted in the thread. Congrats on your babies.

Sorry- let's see if this one works...

I can't see any of your pics, but would love to. Can you post them again?

I'll give it another try; they were viewable early yesterday evening?..

Ok so hopefully these pics worked. We hopefully have 1 of my Lizard Garden, 1 of the Calico male (father) and 1 of the Calico x Ater (Obesus) hatchling. And this was originally in response to the Calico x Obesus hybrid question...

I love your enclosure! I wish that i had the room here to do something like that.

That baby is really interesting. Keep posting as they grow!

Thanks...I snapped a few more shots of my chucks: 2 Ater females (1 is barely noticeable), hatchling and the Calico male...

A couple more pictures and a comment:

My females who were hatched and raised inside my enclosure still exhibit skittish behavior after 5-6 years, while the new Calico is very relaxed, approachable and very curious. One thing that may have made a difference for the females (besides the noted behavior differences between common and island chucks) is that I do very little hand feeding; everything is grown inside the enclosure and they feed when they want, in a more natural way.I enjoy planning and growing their edible landscape but I think it may keep them a little more wild?

Your enclosure is awesome! What region of the country do you live in? I assume Southwest, but after seeing what Bert Langerwerf could do in Alabama with outdoor enclosures, I am never quite sure! Do you over-winter all the lizards outside, or do you bring them in?

Great pics!

Bart

Thanks...I'm in southern Nevada, Las Vegas area. So far I have had 100% success with overwintering them outside (young and old). I did create a basic underground hibernaculum for them in the beginning (2001) which they seem to use, but they have since created their own refuges. I'm debating whether or not to bring in the Calico based on the climate information I have researched from their native islands, but so far he has down very well.