Gila Monster

Scientific Name: Heloderma suspectum

Order: Squamata

Family: Helpdermatidae

Conservation Status

About

The Gila is the largest lizard native to the United States and one of the few venomous lizards on the planet. The Gila monster uses its grooved teeth to release venom into its prey. Its bite is very strong and it can continue to clutch its prey, sometimes even biting down harder into the skin before releasing. A Gila monster will open its mouth and produce a hissing sound to warn off enemies. If a human endures a Gila bite they will not die, but may experience pain, swelling and shock.

Find me at EPZ

Location: Trail of the Jaguar

Arrived at EPZ: Napoleon - 03/11/2017; Dynamite - 03/11/2017

Habitat & Range
They are found in the deserts of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico.
Identification
Gila monsters are very large lizard with black bodies marked with pink, orange, or yellow. They are covered with beadlike scales, called osteoderms.
Diet
They primarily feed on eggs raided from bird nests and newborn mammals, such as rabbits and squirrels.
Reproduction & Lifespan
Gilas breeding season is in the early summer. The eggs would be buried near the surface, so the heat of the sun incubates the hatchlings. Incubation takes approximately four months. They reach full maturity between ages 3 - 5. The average lifespan of a Gila monster is 20-30 years.
Fantastic Fact
It is estimated that the Gila monster spends only 2% of its life outside of its underground borrow. It only leaves to hunt for food and to find a mate.

Gila Monster

Conservation Status

About

Find me at EPZ

Habitat & Range

Identification

Diet

Reproduction & Lifespan

Fantastic Fact