chuckwalla

[ chuhk-wah-luh ]

noun

1. an iguanid lizard, Sauromalis obesus, of arid parts of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, that feeds on desert plants.

chuckwalla

/ ˈtʃʌkˌwɒlə /

noun

1. a lizard, Sauromalus obesus, that has an inflatable body and inhabits desert regions of the southwestern US: family Iguanidae (iguanas)

Word History and Origins

Origin of chuckwalla¹

1865–70, Americanism; < California Spanish chacahuala < Cahuilla čáxwal

Word History and Origins

Origin of chuckwalla¹

from Mexican Spanish chacahuala, from Shoshonean tcaxxwal

Example Sentences

The wide range of animals she’ll treat today includes chuckwallas and red pandas, though the first animals to get massages were not quite so exotic.

From Seattle Times

It was named for an actual chuckwalla that would come out and sun itself while watching those early climbers ascend the rock.

From Washington Times

Their four-hour, $119 It's Our Fault tour includes a desert safari in which mountain lions, rattlesnakes, vultures, roadrunners and large chuckwalla lizards are routinely spotted.

From Time

Here and there a chuckwalla darted across the trail or a rock squirrel sat on his haunches and scolded as we passed.

From Project Gutenberg

Desert Indians all eat chuckwallas, big black and white lizards that have delicate white flesh savored like chicken.

From Project Gutenberg