Desert Iguana

Dipsosaurus dorsalis, (Baird & Girard)

Colouration: Pale brown above, with wavy, parallel dark brown or black lines--running lengthwise; these lines tend to form a net-work or reticulate pattern, enclosing yellowish spots. The tail is generally yellowish, with dark, ring-like markings above. Pale and immaculate beneath.
Dimensions: An adult specimen from southern Arizona, was measured as follows:
Distribution: Desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species occurs in Lower California, the desert regions of southern California and in the Colorado and Mojave Deserts of Arizona; it is also found in the Amargosa Desert, Nevada.
Habits: Like the other thick-bodied desert lizards, this species is largely herbivorous. It feeds upon buds, small flowers and tender leaves. Captive specimens will greedily eat the blossoms of red clover, swallowing each flower practically entire, after but superficial attempts at mastication.
Distribution: Has been found on Angel Island, Gulf of California.
Distribution: Deserts of the Southwest.

The body is stout and rounded, with very long, gradually tapering tail. In proportion to the size of the body the head is very small; it is thick-set and rounded.

On the centre of the back, from immediately behind the head and extending down the greater length of the tail, is a single row of enlarged scales; these are distinctly keeled. This characteristic scalation shows a close relationship to the typical iguanas. The general scalation of the body is fine and granular; the scales on the tail are larger than on the body, are keeled and arranged in ring-like series.

Total Length. . . . . 11 1/2 inches.

Length of Tail. . . . . 7 1/2 inches.

Greatest Diameter. . . . . 1 3/8 inches.

Width of Head (Note the proportionately small head.). . . . . 3/4 inches.

Length of Head--ear to snout. . . . . 7/8 inches.

Length of Hind Limb. . . . . 2 7/8 inches.

Length of Front Limb. . . . . 1 5/8 inches.

The tail of this lizard is very brittle and if the creature is picked up by that member, parts with it readily by a quick twist of the body.

CHAPTER XIV: THE GENERA SAUROMALUS AND CROTAPHYTUS

Fine-scaled Representatives of the Iguanidae

The Chuckawallas--Genus Sauromalus: Of the two species, one is little known; the other is a desert reptile and fairly common in the southwestern portion of the United States.

The Chuckawallas are very stout, with a fine, granular scalation, both above and beneath, and on the top of the head; the scales on the neck are spiny. One of these lizards attains a considerable size--two feet or more; the tail is short and blunt. Fully adult specimens are of a dull, uniform brown.

Definition of the Species.

Scales of the upper surface of neck much enlarged and spiny. Scales of the back terminating in a sharp point. Attains a maximum length of about two feet.

ISLAND CHUCKAWALLA, Sauromalus hispidus, (Stej.)

Scales of the upper surface of neck, small and granular.

Scales of the back rounded.

Attains a length of about fourteen inches.

COMMON CHUCKAWALLA, Sauromalus ater, (Dumeril).

Following is a detailed description of the common species: