Family: Iguanidae, Iguanas view all from this family

Description 11-16 1/2" (27.9-41.9 cm). A large potbellied lizard with loose folds of skin around neck and shoulders. Tail thick at the base and blunt at the tip. No enlarged rostral scale on nose. Male black on head, forelegs, and forward portion of trunk; red, gray, or yellow toward tail. Female and young tend to be crossbanded with gray and yellow.

Breeding Mating is believed to occur May to June. Clutches of 5-10 eggs are laid June to August but females may lay only every second year.

Habitat Open flat and rocky areas, especially where large boulders are present.

Range Se. California, s. Nevada, Utah, w. Arizona and adjacent Mexico.

Discussion Diurnal. On emerging in the morning, this lizard basks until its preferred body temperature of 100 degrees F. (38 degrees C.) is reached, whereupon it begins searching for food. Strictly herbivorous, it browses on leaves, buds, flowers, fruit. A frightened Chuckwalla will retreat into a rocky crevice and inflate its body to wedge itself in as protection from predators.