This is a fun animal to have. Some people think they don’t climb, but they sure do. They live in rocky places with a few small trees. They climb high on the rocks for a vantage point, looking for predators. They lay on the hot rocks in the sun to raise their body temperatures. They hide in crevices in the rocks and inflate their bellies to wedge themselves in, or to look bigger and more fierce if they are threatened by something. They aren’t fierce; the only method of self defense they have is to run and hide.
I’m learning how to give him more enrichment in his house. Sticks to climb, and rocks piled safely to be stable make his house look more like where he comes from. Not many people breed them here, so he is likely wild caught, and can remember what his true desert home looked like.
Unlike my little Geyri uromastyx, they don’t hate or fear change in their environment. They like and need a challenge for life enrichment. So having various rocks and sticks to change around once a week or so makes him go looking around on an adventure. I am working on a 2nd floor to his house, over top of almost half of his current house. He can climb higher to up there and have another space.
I suspect this one is about half monkey, from some of the positions he puts himself in.
He is not a fussy eater; various foods are safe for him every day and other foods must be given maybe only 2x a week, due to the chemical make up of the foods. He likes all his food, but picks out the best parts first, like shreds of squash or pieces of red pepper.
Sometimes he does funny things, like here he seems to be calling for a meeting. He is currently shedding, so I think he wanted a meeting to discuss that process, lol.
Like all desert lizards, they shed their old skin in patches, and it takes a while.
I’ll post another blog after we get the “penthouse” room done for him to explore.
Sarasin's thoughts....... 
Looking forward to seeing the addition!
Now fierce?!?!? WHAT?! And they climb?!?!?
No Tony, not fierce. Oh yes this guy wants to go UP. Wherever up is. (I knew you would like that closeup of his face.) He could have come from AZ or southern CA, so he might know about that town you live in. 🙂 Or did you move away again?
Actually, Rhody and I were on Vacation in the Pacific Northwest, and are not back to wherever we live yet, which is neither in Southern California nor Arizona. We will be in Southern California eventually, but only briefly. While there, we will be out in the Mojave Desert for a while, but it will be regions where there are not many trees. I now know to avoid such places.
His relatives like rocky places without trees in the Mojave. I hope you enjoyed your vacation.
We will, after adjusting our itinerary.
This last vacation was AWESOME! Rhody claimed both Washington and Oregon!
That’s great. You work hard and needed a nice vacation. There are a lot of chucks in the Mojave just sayin’. 😉
We will drive fast without stopping while there.
But you will miss all the good scenery.
What is more important is that it misses me.
. . . if we go at all.
Yea you should go.
The San Gabriel Mountains are visible from Beverly Hills. The Mojave Desert is on the other side. Perhaps that will be good enough.
I hope it is all good. Oh, I forgot to tell you, chuckwallas ……..jump!
WHAT?! Well, that is a good reason to not go past the San Gabriel Mountains. At least they can not fly, . . . or can they? Can they drive? . . . or take a bus?
I like think all means of public transportation might be possible. 😊
I think I will just stay home; barricaded in the basement.
😀🤣😜
. . . at my home on Mars.
Mars, ok. There’s a town called Mars out around Pittsburgh, is that where you live now? That’s just a few hours from here.
Well, yes! That is precisely where I am at, just in case someone wants to find me.
Maybe Chuckie does…………
Well, then, perhaps you should take him to a bus station to get him on his way to the Pittsburgh region.
I just looked up Mars in Pennsylvania and noticed that it is near Apollo, just like Mars in California (which is not where I am, since it is in the Mojave Desert).
😜. I think he would be afraid to go away on a bus.
Oh, well, that is good to know. California is farther than Pittsburgh, not that it matters, since, of course, I am not there.
You gotta be SOMEwhere…….
Perhaps; but what is more important is that I am not there.
😁😜
It seems you’re friend is enjoying his environment. It’s very interesting to read about this little fellow. Thanks for posting the beautiful photographs! Keep in mind to grow some extra vegetables this spring… 😉
Herman he is a happy chuckwalla. My son can make the adjustment to the 2 enclosures, to give him access to his upstairs room on Saturday. Plans are underway to have a bigger lizard garden, because he is 4x the size of Geyri and eats at least 4x at much. I had my 2 raised garden beds filled up with very nice topsoil, so I can grow a lot of food for them in the summer. And he eats several safe weeds that grow in the yard, ones that fussy little Geyri doesn’t like. Happy pets are always the best. I hope you are well and maybe your spring has begun? You love spring and summer. 🙂
You are so right… if your pet is happy, you will also be happy.
We’re glad and enjoying the first warm days. Unfortunately snow is coming our way tomorrow. That means staying inside and having an extra espresso…
OK, a few more days of extra espresso, and then spring. Do you have ice cream or chocolate to go with the espresso?
Oh yes, both of course… 🙂
You are always well prepared.
You have a special one there. He is a character, shows in the poise. I love him! Is Geyri still sleepy?
No Geyri has been out and about for maybe 2 weeks now. I’m so happy that we are still friends. Last year after she came out of brumation, she was totally skittish and we had to start all over to build trust. Now when I put my hand in her viv, she walks right into my hand with or without a food treat, and walks on my hand and arm with no fear at all. She is so dear, her little face. She feels like a feather in my hand after handling this hunk of a chuckwalla, who weighs 4x as much as she does. Now I have to fix 2 nice salads every day, one small and one…..huge!
Awww. I’m glad to know that. Maybe she knows Mommy is here to stay, and maybe she is ready for all the lovin’s. She does have an angel face.