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Chuckwalla

Chuckwalla Lizard line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Chuckwalla Lizard Full Color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Chuckwalla was completed on 7.11.2009. It is based upon photo studies and sketches done at the reptile and amphibian house in the Oakland Zoo. While I have spent a lot of time in the desert I have never been fortunate enough to catch sight of one.

Information about the Chuckwalla:

Chuckwallas are large wide-bodied lizards found in deserts of the southwestern part of North America as well as some isolated coastal islands. They are part of the Iguanidae family. While somewhat fierce looking these reptiles are completely harmless to humans. Chuckwallas are diurnal and spend much of their time basking when the weather conditions are right. They generally hibernate during the cooler months. Chuckwallas are primarily herbivores feeding on fruits, leaves and flowers. When threatened Chuckwallas will run or wedge themselves into rock crevices and gulp air to inflate themselves.