Pet trade is a hit with those wide varieties of exotic animals in the exchange. Two popular lizards in the list are chuckawalla and desert iguana.
Chuckawallas are natives in Southwestern Utah, Southern Nevada, Western Arizona, Mojave and Sonoran deserts, and Baja California. They are mostly found basking under the sun singly or in a group on a highly elevated rocks.
Chuckawallas can reach up to 18 inches in length making them the second largest lizard in the US after gila monster. They have stout and flattened body with rounded tail with slightly keeled tails. Unlike other iguanids, they don’t have dorsal crest. They usually defend their selves by crawling into tight crevice and inflating itself with air, wedging itself firmly inside. They can’t be removed unless killing them or dismantling the rock structure. This is mainly the reason why chuckawallas should be trained to get along with humans.
Another lizard which captured the hearts of many exotic pet lovers is the desert iguana. Desert iguanas are commonly found in the vicinity of creosote bushes which also provide foods to them. They can grow as much as 16 inches in length. Their body shape has almost resemblance with the chuckawallas except that they are less masser overall and have finer heads.
Desert iguanas have stout and may inflate body with air when disturbed. They have short dorsal crest and have long, thick tails. They also have thick legs which allow them to run fast. Their color can be compared to their surrounding since they can blend in specially for the sandy color of the desert.
When having your very own chuckawalla or desert iguana, you must provide them with proper housing. Being native on a very hot temperature, your enclosure must supply enough warm for them. Spacious enclosure is preferable like a 400 gallon tank or even larger. They require a clean playground, preferably sandy with appropriate extra substrate. You can add a rocks also into the sand. You should also put something for them to climb on. As for their hiding area, there should be at least two, one in the cooler side of the enclosure and one for the warmer side. Place also a bowl of water all the time since you don’t know where your pet become thirsty. As an important plant in life of desert iguana, creasote bush is essential. They eat the plant’s leaves and burrow in the roots and rocks based on the plant. You can buy seedlings of this plant at many nurseries.
The temperature must be ranging from the low of 80F in the cool side while 100F in the warm side. At night, basking must be shut off. You may use nonwhite light producing heat to supply thermal gradient for your pet. Guessing of the temperature should not be implemented. Use thermometer for proper measurement. As for their foods, chuckawallas are bit omnivore eating dark green leafy plants and small insects, lizards and mice. While for the desert lizard, they are purely hervivore eating only plants such as leafy dark greens, orange plants, fruits and others. When in reproduction, lizards tend to dig sands where they put their eggs. As their basic need also, provide a bowl of water for them to drink.
Lizards are very common to be taking care of. As an owner, you are hereby responsible with any acts regarding on handling your pet.
