The old saying "some like it hot" holds true for the chuckwalla. This lizard lives in the scorching heat of the North American deserts, and thrives in that tough terrain. The reptile hisses at male rivals and "blows up" in the faces of its enemies. But even the chuckwalla finally gets enough of the desert heat and takes a very long nap-it goes to sleep in August and doesn't wake up until March!
Hot Body: Like all reptiles, the chuckwalla is cold-blooded, and has to bask in the sun to collect heat energy before it become active. In its desert home, the lizard's body temperature easily hits 100°F.
Long Nap: This creature can be hard to find in the wild, as it spends only four months out in the open. During August, temperatures rise so high that the plants that the chuckwalla eats die out. The reptile hibernates until march, when its food starts growing again.
Pumped Up[]
The chuckwalla takes comfort in 100° heat.
When threatened by large predators, the chuckwalla doesn't take any chances. Instead of hissing or putting on a fancy threat display, this lizard runs away at the sight of danger. The creature squeezes into tight spaces under rocks and logs, then performs an amazing trick- it takes in a big breath of air, doubling the size of its body to lodge itself in, so persistent predators can't pull it back out. When it does this, the chuckwalla's loose skin stretches to its limbs, and its lungs triple in size to hold in the air.
This is Chuck's: Unlike most plant-eating animals, the chuckwalla is extremely territorial. Outside of mating season, the lizard hisses and even bites any other chuckwalla that roams into 1.5-acre feeding grounds.
Going Spikeless: Experts think chuckwallas once had spiked tails. The reptiles lash their tails back and forth when escaping danger, which could be a leftover habit handed down from the creatures' ancestors.
Full of Hot Air[]
- After spending some time warming itself in the sun, a chuckwalla starts its daily search for food. While out in the open, it stumbles in front of a hungry coyote. Not willing to take a risk, the lizard heads straight into a nearby crevice.
- The coyote chases after the chuckwalla, and paws at its tail to try to drag it from its hiding spot. The chuckwalla fills its expandable lungs with air, doubling the size of its body and wedging itself in place so the coyote has no chance of pulling it loose.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- Chuckwallas are in the Iguanidae family. The one on the front of the card is possibly a common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater).
- The chuckwalla is featured in Desert Disorder on Monster Mania 57.