Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My red-back chuckwalla. I kept the chuck awake this season while I test a new hibernaculum on the rest of my animals. He's perfectly happy to stay awake and eat greens and mealworms--he's wild for mealworms. It's like putting a plate of hamburger down in front of a Labrador retriever. My chuck starts eating before I finish pouring the mealworms into his dish. We call him Cookie Monster. He shares his cage with a male Aquaflame collared lizard, and they take turns climbing on each other to get the best basking spot.

He is a beauty! I know what you mean about mealworms. It is like giving kids sweets!! HOWEVER...Chuckwallas are primarily herbivorous except in drought years. They get their moisture from the plants they eat. Mealworms are hard on their kidneys. They should be given very sparingly.

Anyway, he is in his prime of life and looks fantastic. Just be sure he gets plenty of nutritious greens like collared greens, turnip greens, and grated vegetables. Dandelions, rose petals, honeysuckle, hibiscus, sweet allysum, nasturtiums, and other flowers are great dietary suggestions. Much luck on your lovely boy! Maureen

Nice looking chuck. Do you know locale or history on him?
TG