Chuckwalla Responsible pet ownership begins on the trip home! For the best health and well being of your new pet, it is important to remember to take it directly home. If you have more shopping or errands to complete, consider picking up your pet last. This will ensure the animal encounters the least amount of stress possible. Have the new terrarium completely set up before bringing your new friend "home". Additionally, make sure your new family member is allowed enough time to adjust to its new home. Wait three or four days before attempting to handle your pet and always supervise children when they interact with pets.

General Info: Adult length up to 18" The chuckwalla's typically calm temperament allows for even the youngest enthusiast to handle them with ease.

Temperature/Humidity: Ideal daytime temperature for chuckwallas should range between 85 and 90 degrees. Additionally, a basking lamp should be used to maintain a local temperature of 115 to 125 degrees. Night time temperature should remain between 65 and 75 degrees. The humidity for these lizards should be kept low. Lighting: All chuckwallas require ultraviolet lighting to maintain good health. Ultraviolet lighting is recommended for 12-14 hours per day. A timer will help to maintain an accurate lighting schedule.

Feeding/Watering: Chuckwallas are mainly vegetarians (eat only plant matter), but can be offered insects (such as crickets) once a week. Their diet should mainly include vegetables and fruit. Suggested foods: dark, leafy greens (mustard, collard, radish, and turnip greens or tops, kale, cabbage, dandelion leaves-stems-flowers, bok-choy, broccoli, non-treated backyard grasses and weeds, clover), legumes, mulberry and grape leaves, roses, hibiscus, nasturtiums, carnation flowers, cured alfalfa and timothy hay, soaked alfalfa pellets, thawed frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn, lima beans, carrots, green beans), peas in the pod, cauliflower, soy bean sprouts, jicama, radishes, summer and winter squashes, grapes, apples, oranges, pear, prickly pear fruit, peaches, plums, nectarines, dates, all types of melons, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes. When feeding fruits & vegetables, use four vegetables to every fruit per meal. It may be best to only offer fruits in every third or fourth feeding. Blossoms are great for shy eaters as chuckwallas have a natural fondness for blooms of desert plants. Feeding chuckwallas every day is suggested as well as dusting food with vitamin/calcium powder every other feeding. Always remove food four hours after it is offered to prevent spoilage.

Habitat/Housing: Individual chuckwallas can be maintained in a 40 to 50 gallon aquarium. A screen lid is essential for proper air exchange. Chuckwallas are best kept singularly. Adult males should always be housed separately from each other. However, for multiple pets, increase habitat size accordingly to ensure each chuckwalla has plenty of space to move about and not interfere with tankmates. An undertank heater should be placed on the same end of the tank as the basking lamp. A shelter for hiding is necessary, especially if multiple pets are in the same enclosure. Substrate (Bedding): 2" to 3" inches of Repti-Sand is recommended for chuckwalla terrariums to encourage their natural burrowing instinct.