[Picture of Gila monster]


Learn About The
Endangered GILA MONSTER



GILA MONSTER SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION


KINGDOM Animalia
PHYLUM Chordata
CLASS Reptilia
ORDER Squamata
SUBORDER Lacertilia
FAMILY Helodermatidae
GENUS/SPECIES COMMON NAME
Heloderma suspectum suspectum Reticulated(Southern)gila monster
Heloderma suspectum cinctum Banded(Northern)gila monster


The Gila Monster
is one of two species of venomous lizards, the
Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum, with 2 subspecies) and
the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum, with 3
subspecies).

The Gila monster is found in the desert regions of
Arizona, New Mexico and northwestern Mexico.
The beaded lizard is found only in Mexico, south of
the range of the Gila monster.

The Gila monster got its name from the
Gila Basin, in Arizona.

  • The Gila monsters are heavy-bodied lizards with large
    heads and powerful jaws.
  • It is a stout animal which usually weighs 3 - 5 pounds.
  • Its length varies from 12 - 24 inches for an adult.
  • It has a thick, short tail which contains fat storage
    that the animal can survive on, when there is no food or
    when the animal is in hibernation.
  • The female also takes advantage of this extra fat during
    pregnancy.
  • The Gila monster's skin feels granular or bumpy.
  • The bumpy scales on the upper body gradually turn into
    plate-like scales on the underbelly.
  • The coloration of the skin is black with contrasting
    pink, yellow or orange.
  • They have from 4 to 5 dark bands on the tail.
  • They have five toes on each foot with claws that are
    short and sharp.
  • They have movable eyelids, the fourth and fifth toes
    about the same length, and a forked, blackish tongue that
    is frequently protruded in a snake-like fashion.
  • The stout body has a large, blunt head with a powerful
    lower jaw, an unusually thick tail, short legs and
    strong claws.
  • They have venom glands in the lower jaw.
  • Gila Monster venom is primarily a defensive, rather
    than offensive (prey collecting), weapon.
  • The venom certainly helps to subdue larger prey, but
    most live prey taken by them is quickly killed by the
    lizard's incredibly powerful jaws.
  • Although it has a benign disposition, it must be
    treated with caution as it can bite quickly and hold on
    tenaciously.
  • Its bite, while not considered lethal, is very painful
    and should be considered a medical emergency.
  • Grooved teeth in both jaws inject the venom, which is
    worked in by chewing. The venom is primarily neurotoxic.
  • Gila monsters must be considered dangerous, but the
    chances of anyone being bitten by an unprovoked animal are
    slight. However, these lizards are surprisingly quick and
    agile. They should not be approached closely or handled.
  • In the wild they eat bird eggs, reptile eggs, baby birds,
    baby mice and baby rats.
  • They move about slowly and are active mainly at night
    tracking down prey by using the tongue to pick up scent
    particles on the sand.
  • When active they eat all they can and store the
    surplus as fat in the tail.
  • They can survive for months without food, living off
    the fat in the tail.
  • They are the largest lizards in the U.S. measuring to
    about 22 inches in total length and are able to store
    more energy than smaller lizards.
  • They are also capable of eating relatively large meals.
  • The species typically inhabits the lower slopes of
    mountains and nearby outwash plains, especially in canyons
    and arroyos where water is at least periodically present.
    In some areas, they also frequent irrigated farmlands that
    adjoin those habitat types.
  • Gila monsters dig burrows for shelter, or use those
    made by other animals or formed by nature.
  • These burrows are occupied both as winter hibernacula
    and as warm-season retreats from heat and coolness.
  • They stay in burrows during the winter months, and
    spend most of their lives hidden below the ground.
  • Most of their above ground activity occurs in 3 months
    in the spring.
  • This is when mating occurs, and also when their main
    source of food (vertebrate nests) is most abundant.
  • At this time they are mainly diurnal with activity
    occurring mainly in the morning.
  • Gila monsters have a home range of about one square mile.
  • They are usually solitary animals, but do gather in
    communal areas in the spring for mating.
  • Their approximate life span is 20 years.

ABOUT THE BANDED GILA MONSTER
  • This lizard resides primarily in the Mojave Desert.
  • Adults have a broad double crossband.

ABOUT THE RETICULATED GILA MONSTER
  • This lizard resides primarily in the Sonoran and
    Chihuahuan deserts.
  • Adults are mottled and blotched.

WHY ARE THESE FEROCIOUS-LOOKING LIZARDS ENDANGERD???

  • They are collected for the pet trade, as they are
    one of the most commercially valuable reptile species
    in North America.
  • Its habitat destruction due to overgrazing, truck
    farming, and the planting of cotton.
  • Gila monsters are often killed by lay persons who believe
    they are dangerous and present a hazard to the public.
  • Physical damage to Gila monster habitat has become
    common and widespread in Arizona. This habitat degredation
    is believed to be associated with reptile collecting for
    commercial trade resulting in: the removal of individuals
    from the population, and microhabitat destruction caused
    by unscrupulous collectors, who may use tools such as
    crowbars and hydraulic jacks to move or break rocks and
    exfoliations to expose snakes and lizards.


TO PROTECT THE GINA MONSTERS:
  • Gila monsters do not receive federal protection but
    they are state-listed in every state in which they occur.
  • Prohibitions against commercialization, killing, and
    unnecessary collecting are needed to protect the Gila
    monster in all its range.
  • Protection of its habitat and education of the public
    to appreciate this animal are important elements in its
    conservation.
  • There is no question that the Gila monster is less
    widespread and less abundant than it was formerly, to
    the point that the species is also protected by law in
    Arizona and California.
  • It has been protected by Arizona State Law, as the
    subspecies, Heloderma suspectum suspectum, is listed under
    the Natural Heritage Arizona State Rank "S3"
    ("S3" = "Uncommon or Restricted").
    The species, H.suspectum, also carries this listing within
    the state.
  • The subspecies, Banded Gila Monster, is listed as State
    Threatened in Utah.
  • Heloderma suspectum is listed as Threatened in Mexico.
  • The subspecies, Heloderma suspectum suspectum, was
    listed "Threatened" in Mexico.
  • The species, H.suspectum, also carries this status in
    Mexico.



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Last Updated: 26-April-1999
WebMaster: Daisy Moreno daisymoreno@HotMail.com
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