An iguana (Sauromalus obesus) from North America, found in rocky deserts; dark body with thick blunt yellow tail; no crest along back; eats plants; rests in rock crevices; if disturbed, may wedge itself in the crevice by inflating its lungs.
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Sauromalus ater |
Chuckwallas (less commonly Chuckawallas) are large lizards found primarily in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Physical description
Reaching a total length of 16 inches (40 centimetres) and a weight of 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms), Chuckwallas are noted for their wide, flattened midsections and prominent paunch. Other species are island-dwelling and therefore have much more restricted distributions: Two rare and endangered are the Chuckwalla de Montserrat (Sauromalus slevini) found on Islas Carmen, Coronados and Montserrat and the San Esteban Chuckwalla or Painted Chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius) found on San Esteban, Lobos and Pelicanos. The Angel Island Chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus) and Peninsular Chuckwalla (Sauromalus australis) are found on Isla Ángel de la Guarda and surrounding islands off the coast of the Baja California peninsula.
Chuckwallas prefer lava flows and rocky areas, such as those found in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.
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