Chris Calle: San Esteban Island Chuckwalla

Artist: Chris Calle
1961 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 2002
Image Size: 9 by 10.5 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 20 inches
Medium: Mixed media on cold press illustration board

Chuckwallas inhabit the desert regions of the southwestern United States including southeast California, southern Nevada, southern Utah, western Arizona and areas that border Mexico. This desert reptile is large and has a broad, flat body and is identified by distinctive skin folds on both sides of its head. The chuckwalla inhabits boulder-covered slopes and large rock outcroppings and thrives in dry hot climates. It spends many hours lying in the sun on exposed rocks, when danger threatens, it quickly disappears in a crevice and inflates its body. This allows it to be safely anchored and impossible to remove from its hiding place. This lizard feeds mainly on plants, but may occasionally eat insects. Mating occurs between April and July, with a clutch of as many as 16 eggs laid between June and August. The eggs hatch in the late warm season. Classified Sauromalus varius, the San Esteban Island Chuckwalla has a yellowish color with irregular dark reddish-brown blotches on its back that provide camouflage against predators. This species occurs only on San Esteban Island in the Gulf of California, and its restricted habitat makes it extremely vulnerable to all kinds of threats, particularly the collector trade as its skin is highly valued. This species is the largest of any lizard in North America -- reaching two feet in overall length -- and is sometimes mistaken for the poisonous gila monster. The greatest threat to its survival is the collector trade and its high demand as a novelty pet.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.N. 34¢ San Esteban Island Chuckwalla stamp issued April 4, 2002.

Artwork Copyright © 2002 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB16975

US$ Price: $1,000.00

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