Bilateria

Juvenile Chuckwalla approx 8 inches long

5+ Chuckwalla

Chuckwalla

Seen from across a small canyon in late afternoon, getting toward dusk. Traversed a steep rock cliff before hiding in a crevice.

Seen from across a small canyon in late afternoon, getting toward dusk. Traversed a steep rock cliff before hiding in a crevice.

On a windy and cooler-than-usual afternoon, this was the only chuckwalla we spotted.

Seen on the Mastodon Peak Trail

Seen on the Mastodon Peak Trail

Observation and photos by Eric Cleveland, sent to rascals@nhm.org.

Observation and photos by Eric Cleveland, sent to rascals@nhm.org.

Observation and photos by Eric Cleveland, sent to rascals@nhm.org.

I might be wrong about this, but it was a large, stout iguana-looking lizard. Its body was at least 9-10 inches long without the tail.

I might be wrong about this, but it was a large, stout iguana-looking lizard. Its body was at least 9-10 inches long without the tail.

I might be wrong about this, but it was a large, stout iguana-looking lizard. Its body was at least 9-10 inches long without the tail.

I might be wrong about this, but it was a large, stout iguana-looking lizard. Its body was at least 9-10 inches long without the tail.

One of several Chuckwallas that had been encountered at Amboy Crater in the early afternoon. Many had darted into the crevices between rocks when they felt threatened. This one was caught and held by one of my previous instructors for the rest of the class to look at. As I approached with my camera, he first attempted to bite at my camera, then hissed at me and inflated himself when I took this picture