photo #9408109

The Chuckwalla is a large, docile non venomous lizard native to the deserts of the Southwest. It can grow to 18 inches and live up to 25 years. Prefers rocky outcroppings, lava flows and boulder pilings. It can puff itself up in rock crevices to keep predators from extracting them. A herbivore but will eat insects. Often mistaken for the venomous Gila Monster because of its similar coloration. The tail is the giveaway. Always an off white, cream to yellowish.