Twentynine Palms in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lizards for Lunch!

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 12, 2025

1. Lizards for Lunch! Marker

Inscription. Though lizards are uncommon in modern diets, these abundant reptiles were an important source of protein to native peoples.

The 17-inch long chuckwalla was a highly prized food. Chuckwallas favor the tops of boulders. Frightened chuckwallas retreat into narrow cracks. They inflate with air, making their removal difficult. Hunters used a sharp stick to puncture and dislodge lizards from the protective rocks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 34° 5.741′ N, 116° 10.197′ W. Marker is in Twentynine Palms, California, in San Bernardino County. It can be reached from Indian Cove Nature. Marker can be found along the Indian Cove Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 68451 Indian Cove Nature, Twentynine Palms CA 92277, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Coachella Valley,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Desert Willow (a few steps from this marker); Desert Almond - Prunus fasciculata (within shouting distance of this marker); Desert Bighorn Sheep (within shouting distance of this marker); Jojoba - Simmondsia chinensis (within shouting distance of this marker); Tortoise Troubles (within shouting distance of this marker); Are YOU a Packrat? (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hardships and Forced Transitions (about 500 feet away); Welcome to the Indian Cove Trail (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Twentynine Palms.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 12, 2025

2. Lizards for Lunch! Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 56 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.