ANIMALS

Latin Name

Sauromalus ater

Common Chuckwalla History

Our female chuckwalla was collected in 2012 by a licensed researcher for a scientific study and then kept at San Francisco State University in the Herpetology department. She was donated to CuriOdyssey in July 2021. At the time of her arrival, she was estimated to be about 9 years old. Our male chuckwalla was captive-hatched at the Oakland Zoo in November 2013 and later transferred to the Sacramento Zoo in 2014. He was transferred to CuriOdyssey in April 2024.

Fun facts about Common Chuckwallas

Chuckwallas rarely drink water, but rather obtain the water they need from plants. They can store water in lymph sacs beneath the folds of skin on the side of the body, and the tail fattens up when resources are plentiful. They also have special glands that filter the salt out of their body, allowing them to produce less urates.

Like many lizards, chuckwallas are capable of autotomy; they can break off and re-grow a tail, if necessary, to evade predation. The common chuckwalla is the second largest lizard in the US (the largest is the Gila Monster).

What do Common Chuckwallas eat?

At CuriOdyssey, we serve our chuckwalla a variety of leafy greens and vegetables; occasionally flowers and insects.
In the wild, chuckwallas eat leaves, fruit, buds and flowers; occasionally insects.

How long to ACommon Chuckwallas live?

In the Wild: 10-30 years, 15 years on average

In Captivity: 25+ years, oldest recorded was 65 years

Where do Common Chuckwallas live?

Chuckwallas are found in desert regions, scrublands, former lava flows, and rocky hillsides.  Southwest US and Mexico (especially Mojave and Sonoran deserts), islands in the Gulf of Mexico.

Are Common Chuckwallas endangered?

Considered Species of Least Concern by the ICUN

Chuckwalla populations are very localized and thus very sensitive to habitat degradation. New roads or land developments can separate populations, reduce the amount of available habitat, increase run-off and change water drainage that can flood habitats, and increase pollutants.

The pet trade also poses a threat as over-collection from sub-populations with desired color patterns has been documented to lead to the loss of these populations over time.