CHUCKWALLAS (and other DESERT LIZARDS) IN THE WILD! Are we keeping them correctly?

[@thejerseyherper5320]

I've wanted a chuckwalla for so long, some people think they look drab but I love them

[@tjardokiewiet9115]

same one day i want to take care of one

[@christinamarie3308]

they're so cute

[@EsotericDrifter]

Trying to get breeding started, but even mine that are wild caught are a complete delight.

[@Poteluz]

Drab? That's crazy people would think that especially with the red backs or carrot tails.

[@Onewen]

“Your mom is a crested gecko” - 😅 the ultimate reptile insult 😂🤣

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Lol

[@genaragland4979]

I love my Chuckwalla. I've had her for about 6 years and she brings me a lot of joy.

[@phil3299]

You missed another staple, native food source Chuckwalla love: the Brittlebush. Chucks go crazy for Brittlebush's yellow flowers and the bush grow like weeds here in Arizona's low deserts. Keep in mind, only the flowers are edible. These flowers are in the Sunflower family of plants. These bushes tend to be in the foothills of mountains... the exact places where Chucks live.

[@leighlanbrown9426]

Even the iguana knows your intentions are good. Best videos by far! No click bait, no judgment, no opinions, just fact.... And on location! 👏

[@az67mustang]

I live in Az and I've had desert tortoises on and off for 30 years. I've always wanted chuckwallas but I can go to the white tank mountains 5 minutes away from me and see them anytime so it's cool. Loved this video. Hope Arizona treated you well.

[@herpdiversity9152]

These are incredible lizards that i just live to find. It is so awesome that you highlight these underappreciated species. Greater earless in particular are one that is so awesome to find here

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I agree

[@gasperkanoni8838]

I had a desert uguanas to to work with! Very sensitive guys❤❤❤ dav i love your content even from ages ago❤❤❤

[@dabbinggrandpa1150]

I live in East Mesa, AZ and have Chucks in my backyard they will eat chopped veggies if you put them out.

[@Poteluz]

How they haven't taken off and the desert iguanas is beyond me, beautiful lizards that are easy to care for with great colors and very docile. The captive bred ones are damn near like bearded dragons in how calm they are.

[@davisn456]

This is so fascinating to see the chuckwallas in their own habitat. Extremely informative, and excellent way of presenting a lot of good information! Thanks Dāv!

[@luaneketcherd7996]

Just bought a house and found out from seller that a chuckwalla lives on the side of the house for the past 6years. Seller said she loves blueberries and lettuce 🥬 and that she comes every year in the same spot, shows up in march and lives in October. Probably after October she goes and hibernates? Now, I’m over here ha doing some more research on this 🧐 on what to feed her and maybe 🤔 on how to make a nice area for her…like rocks 🪨?

[@tanneradams20]

My friend on the east coast has a chuck. It’s literally like a rhino iguana, uro, and bearded dragon had a kid. They can be so dang chill.

[@herpdiversity9152]

Also I wanted to mention on the rewatch that some species out here, especially nocturnal ones do lot do well in that heat. Things like western banded geckos in particular

[@shamiksathe5140]

I love this series, you should do this more oftwn

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Now that I can travel a little bit easier I will be doing more like this

[@mckaybridges9229]

Being from southern Utah this is great. And normal to see. Are we keeping Dav in the wild correctly?

[@madeleineturner2198]

Look at 13:07, lizard's tail matches that orange streak in the rock perfectly! Amazing bit of natural selection.

[@MargeauxandMeShops]

I love my girl has never bit me somewhat aloof buts warms up the more you handle them she’s a big baby once she’s on my shoulder very smart easy to care for. Feed her collards dandelion leaves and flowers ,blueberry and rep cal iguana food pebbles spring mix and sup with Calcium and vitamins.A very chill reptile

[@LINKINservicedog]

Love your videos. I learn so much in every video. I love all living beings, but just started falling in love with reptiles. I think fear is from lack of education. My favorite snake is the western hog nose. I love a bunch that Emily and Ed have as well as Adam from wickens wicked reptiles. Thanks so much for being such a big part of my love of reptiles. Much love from Kentucky, Lesley and Service Dog Jake

[@hognosebestuk]

Great video!! Really interesting to see a reptile that not so common and I love that you check all their temps and habitat in the wild so keepers can take better care of them. I always appreciate your videos and I'm always learning something new! Thanks Dav 👍

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Really glad to hear that

[@thehellafella64]

The desert iguana was a fan! He doesn’t have bad instincts, He was just a little star struck 😂

[@sherrybrzeczka7966]

The "Your Momma" segment cracked me up!!

[@itsLizJaramillo]

I live in the desert in California and I'm very glad to know what the uv index is! I'd love to find a desert iguana breeder when I build some bigger enclosures. I get babies in my yard sometimes😍 my vegetable garden went to the wildlife last year

[@ryanmoeller3308]

I'm in Yuma, AZ! It's cool to see people who aren't far from here. I see Desert Iguanas in my backyard and everywhere out here. I'm hoping to get Dav out here soon! It'd be awesome to get a group together and go look for some reptiles. 👍👍

[@WoM]

Great info sprinkled about. Keep it up man!

[@ianparkinson7039]

Hi Dav those desert iguanas are gorgeous, look like they have eye makeup on. Great content as always mate cheers from down under 🦘🦘🦎

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I’ve never noticed that until you just mentioned it :)

[@iamhardwell2844]

to be honest your channel is so underrated

[@timapiepgrass8702]

Chuckwalla sounds like a fable like jack-a-lope, sasquatch or the Ogopogo

[@orishaswishes]

We've got 3 chuckwallas (here in BC, Canada), and they are absolutely thriving: but some points: - it is not hot all the time in the natural habitat of chucks. Arizona can be quite cold in, say, January. So in captivity, chucks are probably in more uniform temperature environments than in the wild. (We lower our temperatures a few degrees calsius in winter) - you should probably have mentioned that these animals should not be taken out of their environment to be pets. Wild caught can be very problematic, for parasites and for the abrupt change of worlds (not to mention any environmental population stresses as human habitats encroach). - There are some very good Captive Bred (CB) sites that specialize in chuckwallas, and that is where people should get them. (Ours come from a breeder in Québec, but there are good breeders for sure in the US) - they are omnivorous, and happily chow down on meal worms and horn worms (though it is not a good idea to have these as regular parts of their diet . . . just once-in-awhile treats). - generally, you should always provide these guys with ORGANIC greens - kales, arugula, dandelions (they love the yellow flower heads). Absolutely stay away from lettuce and spinach - the former are low nutrient value, and the latter is not good for them (except in small small quantities). THANKS for the video.

[@christinamarie3308]

I'm going to Arizona this may thanks for this video I can't wait to see these cuties in the wild

[@kimbermoss]

Living here in Cave Creek, I’ve never seen a wild chuckwalla! But now I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for them. Meanwhile, my Uro loves creosote leaves and blossoms!

[@randegallant7095]

Thanks, Dave. I live in the desert and have a couple CB chucks. I have creosote bushes in my front yard, but they show no interest in them.

[@charliemum]

And some ppl say if you go back to that spot that iguana is still sitting there 😄 I actually laughed out loud when he let you recapture him 😆 another cool vid Dave 😎

[@LetsTalkHerps]

These are definitely my favorite video series. I would love to see you go to West Africa and do an episode on Python regius. There’s enough pettubers telling us about their care from their computer chair. I’d love to see it from a natural history perspective. Another great video, Dāv.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

We’ve been planning that for three years now. Hopefully spring of 2022 I’ll finally get there

[@LetsTalkHerps]

So many herps to see while you’re at it! Looking forward to whenever you get that trip.

[@tomtomisek]

Thanks, Dave. I always look forward to these "creatures in the wild" videos. Keep up the great work!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks Tom! I sure will

[@fionnmaccumhaill3257]

​​​​​@@davkaufmansreptileadventuressed to keep Chuckwallas as a child 40+ years ago. I remember mine loved yellow rose 🌹 petals. My Chuckwallas had the red backs, but were sand colored worth black stripes as babies. I had difficulty with desert iguanas. Do you have video on keeping those? (Have to catch one first, those and collard lizards run at speeds almost too fast to catch). The Chuckwallas seem to only love black volcanic boulders on top of hills, while the desert iguanas love the flat chapparell covered in creosote.

[@alanwisse192]

Great video. You forgot to mention desert iguanas can run upright on their back two legs..

[@mrstringtwister4397]

Chucks are pretty great! I have kept 2 different pairs, both wild caught juveniles from Ridgecrest California. With frequent interaction, they can develop really neat personalities. They dont compare to a Uromastyx... More like a Bearded Dragon personality wise, not quite as lazy though. Not the easiest to keep... Certainly worth the learning curve!!

[@davidredmond8279]

Great video! I live in Arizona and hike alot..And do keep a couple baby chuckwallas..Theres actually alot more desert plants and flowers Chuckwallas eat in the wild. But like nothing more then the yellow flowers that grow in the spring and after good rains and in monsoon season. The Spring brings blooming of the Palo Verde Trees the most common tree in the desert and the whole tree can be covered with thousands of little yellow flowers. While this bloom is on.. U can observe chuckwallas climbing (not great at and out of their element) into the trees and filling themselves. And drop straight out the trees and high tail it to the boulders at any sign of danger! The Palo Verde is a toxic tree to humans. But Chuckwallas will eat the leaves too. Creosote is a bush that can also bloom lil yellow flowers after good rain and need lil water to stay green so they are a stable food source. But mountains or foothills that only have creosote dont usually have many chuckwallas in my experience. The Brittle bush and Desert Marigold grow yellow flowers that Chucks love too. There another bush that has dark thin branches and grows these tiny lil green leafs on them and has become one of my best plants to locate chuckwallas when on cooler days when they are not active. They seem to hide in the crevices nearby theses bushes. And have seen chuckwallas climbing into these bushes and eating til full. Its another plant that stays green alil longer after rains then most other plants.

[@marcellacruser951]

The Chuckwalla/Emily conversation.... bwahallahaha! I watched it three times!

[@onioncontrol]

they're so lovable

[@oranjmusemeyer968]

Dav, your editing is killing it! 😂🧡🎥 I keep my native species outside year round as well... I think they are happier living outside in larger enclosures, they are more active and seem to be less prone to being overweight!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you! That’s actually my favorite parts of making these videos

[@kyleerosee3]

They are adorable lil buggers. I love how you bring in the tools to check the actual climates and places they live in the wild. Such awesome info love it.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@obryan240]

Have chuckwallas running around near my moms house in Arizona. Cool looking lizards.

[@DoubleDragonHotel]

Hmm, I think I clicked on some of your links while you were working on them. The one about the fishing adventures, and animal adventures is not working, as well as the teespring store. Just letting you know, I will definitely check back on those soon. Big hugs, thanks for doing such great work!

[@kwithers95]

Thank you so much for this video.

[@feather9115]

Would love to see a video on house snakes. Any info found online about their habitats is extremely vague. Thanks for another great video!

[@Ochibason]

Great episode! Rattle on! And yes more cow bell! Just got a couple... Uromastyx.

[@HoundofOdin]

I absolutely *ADORE* chuckwallas!

[@chicofromph33nix64]

I see them all over south mountain in Phoenix..

[@erikm8372]

I’m from San Diego, so chuckies have always been among my faves, we used to see them every five minutes when we went camping. Also love our native rosy boas, desert iguanas and tortoises. I just recently discovered the Coleonyx (?) group of geckos, including the San Diego banded gecko. I never even knew we had such a creature! I always kept fat-tails and leopard geckos, but was so shocked to see coleonyx. One day i want to have a native desert “zoo” of my own lol

[@ilovenycsomuch]

Yessss you did the Snake Discovery thing! 🤣

[@Merlijn1994]

Those talking lizards had me laughing so hard 😂😂😂

[@EsotericDrifter]

I have had my chucks for a week, amazing personalities. the heating isn't hard, UV is though, but when the permanent enclosure is done I will have to watch to see where they poop, they like to poop off of high places which unfortunately right now is the hammock.

[@KayentaRojo]

Easily my absolute favorite native lizard species here in Utah! (Besides maybe the Utah Banded Gecko, and Gila Monster 😂) I’ve seen some MASSIVE specimens pancaked in between rocks around Lake Powell, Canyonlands, and tons in Washington County! They are such amazing and Impressive Iguana relatives!

[@NerinaRSA]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[@pedaldriven417]

Awesome!Love the Chuck episode thank you.

[@rebeccafriend4854]

You’re a hoot! 😂🤣 Very cute lizards. 🤟

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Maybe a little:)

[@KeystrokePOSSoftware]

How did you catch these guys? I use a 6 foot telescopic fishing pole with no reel and a fishing line noose on the last eyelet. Works great and when not extended its only about 14" long. I've caught leopard lizards on the side of dirt roads in the Mojave without even leaving the driver's seat of my Jeep!

[@chasinfish8279]

That little desert Iggy “I like Dav. Dav no eat me. I let Dav pick me up twice”

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

That’s about right :)

[@gasperkanoni8838]

❤❤❤🇸🇮 i look👁 from behind now👁🐉

[@carschmn]

Gorgeous little lizards.

[@LanceKirkman]

Loved the Chuckwalla conversation, well done! Thanks for the educationally fun video Dav! #RattleOn

[@kwiggy5091]

Theoretically, could these be kept in an outdoor enclosure in Las Vegas, being that we have similar climates and temps? It definitely gets above 90-95F ambient. I'd love to have an enclosure outside similarly to how Kelly who raises the angel island chucks keeps them. I'd assume they need shade and scrub brush and grasses. Could do dark and light slab rock options. Offer a soaking option a few times a week? We have tons of dandelion greens, mustard, collard, bok choy, etc and I grow herbs and things like chard. Do they need grains or seeds like uromastyx? Sprouted or raw? What are the risks to them with scorpions or widows? They have them in their native habitats but an enclosure would be a great place for Arizona bark scorpions to hang out.

[@KayentaRojo]

Yes absolutely, I know of someone who keeps Chuckwallas in outdoor enclosures in St. George, Utah about an hour north of Las Vegas.

[@adellekalon5562]

Good evening from the Philippines Dāv

[@snoriethegreat5066]

I remember catching chucks all the time here in cali up in the high desert we would take our tshirts off and throw them on the chuck before they would run to there cracks great times

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Interesting way to do it :)

[@amandawood9440]

Fabulous video as always 😊Thank you and keep them coming!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you! I will

[@kellybraun7048]

9:11 Even that lizard can see you’re just a big softy. 😂

[@theduyvenbode3862]

Loved this episode...

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad to hear that

[@theodoretibbitts9538]

I’d love to get a chuckwalla, but they’re hard to find, period, and when they are available its often wild caught. Hopefully they’ll become more available, especially captive bred, over time.

[@gregorweidlich8517]

Thank you for doing this video!! Great job on these awesome lizards. Very well researched as usually.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Really glad you enjoyed it

[@AuroraExotics]

I can't help giggling stupidly when I think about chuckwallas. I was with friends camping in Joshua Tree a few years back and we were doing a lot of wildlife watching with chucks on our list (and we saw a few!). Somehow during the trip they became the thing to blame farts on. Any time someone passed gas, it was "oh, a chuckwalla!" 😂 They are really cool lizards though!

[@itsLizJaramillo]

I saw a baby chuckwalla in Joshua Tree National Park! They're so cute! And unique

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

There’s a lot there

[@mitch43211]

Hay so glad you brought this out ;)

[@kingdre7492]

Love this! I got 2 chucks they’re crazy underrated

[@DoubleDragonHotel]

You always do such amazing videos, and I LOVE the desert reptiles, thank you for this! I bought a solarmeter and it was obvious I needed better bulbs, and gotta say it, the arcadia actually produced the right amount of uv for my dragons.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Awesome!

[@DoubleDragonHotel]

@@davkaufmansreptileadventures Turns out, I also needed a volt meter... fixtures go bad! Power strips also go bad. Its always somethin, lol

[@DanielHernandez-uy5rk]

It would be cool to see a video on a Phrynosoma species

[@michellemorningstar880]

Awe They are so darn cute brian barckz has one looks like a bearded too me.. love it i have a 7 months old bearded. thanks . so cute

[@growingheart8039]

Great video!🌞 You rock and rattle, dav!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@erikm8372]

Do chuckies eat prickly pear, or other cactus, or is that more tortoise-appreciated?

[@MargeauxandMeShops]

Mr .Paul nice guy.😊

[@nonabaumgardner4433]

Those desert iguanas are gorgeous and apparently gregarious 🤣😂🤣😂

[@davidmcavoy2177]

Snakes I hope to see in this series soon, namely because I have them lol: corn snake, ball python, Honduran milk snake, and rosy boa. :)

[@Brentor14]

Thank you so much for your great content

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad you’re enjoying it

[@michaelkopyscianski2312]

Curious if they can cohabitate with a uraomastyx ? I've heard mixed opinions. Curious to know your thoughts!

[@sam382]

I was wondering the same thing? 🤔

[@michaelkopyscianski2312]

@@sam382 They have similar diets, similar heat requirements, and are not too aggressive. I've asked around and people have said if they're two females to try it. People who say no usually can't articulate why it would be a bad idea.

[@tyliful]

love them chucks.

[@jdssurf]

Thanks for the laughs

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad you enjoyed

[@Santiago-pl9mn]

Any chuckwalla breeders you reccomend? i've looked around facebook and forums but can't find any

[@TigerStrike8000]

Waiting to see what species besides the chuckwalla. Hoping to see the desert iguana. Love your vids.

[@TigerStrike8000]

And you did at least a little.

[@thecatsmeow9972]

Love the videos

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad to hear that

[@Gigolojuice31st]

The iguanas get tamed down real quick my friend use to have some from mexicali Baja California and the iguanas would eat right off of his hand the same day and would never run away from him and never be scared of him and all that in one day

[@johnroy2567]

I always thought these guys were African but hey....there you go...every day is a school day with Dave Kauffman, the American Steve Irwin...keeps those vids coming D...🐊🐢🦎🐍🐉😁👍...Can I just say they look so much like the Beardie but without the jaggy bits ..lol

[@commercialelectrician133]

Always a great video

[@jessicaferrara1018]

I so want a desert iguana.... he looked so adorable

[@phorestpsy216]

If we start captive breeding chuckwallas in bigger numbers, I could see them rivaling uromastyx for popularirty. Of couse im biased, since I love california herps, and they are endemic to Eastern parts of the state. Rosy boas and chuckwallas all day!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I could see that happening

[@leviathan7332]

How did you catch that iguana?

[@krystalb8276]

I live in AZ and when I was around 6 I saw a wild chuck and told my parents I was gonna catch it and call it Draco. Lol my dad told me if I could catch it I could keep it. 😆

[@sonoranherphaven1761]

Arizona Represent!!

[@sleeperexotics5345]

Do you think Uromastyx could be kept outside like the Chuckwalla in Phoenix?

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I’m sure they would thrive outdoors there.

[@kamielhamers3730]

Some species can and are kept outside with great results in phoenix area.

[@gasperkanoni8838]

No you didnt uromasyx me!? Oh you did 😂😂😂 like it like it❤❤❤

[@zacsdiyreptiles7146]

Someone on Facebook posted a pic asking if someone lost their pet lizard lol. It was one of these.

[@gasperkanoni8838]

I had the privilege to weork weith chuqwalas❤❤❤