Reticulate Gila Monster
Heloderma suspectum suspectum
The fiercesome reputation of the Gila Monster has little to do with reality. While the Gila Monster (and its Mexican cousin the Beaded Lizard) is the only venonmous lizard, there are no reliable medical records of anybody being killed by the bite from one. Bites are extremely painful and anybody bitten should get medical attention. Gila Monsters generally are shy creatures but they will defend themselves if molested or handled. Gila Monsters are protected in most places in the U.S. These lizards spend most of their lives underground. In the springtime they can be found above ground as they search for food and mates. All the lizards on this page were photographed at Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona. It is easy to see in these pictures how well the Gila Monster blends into its environment.
