Gila Monsters - c.b. babies
Heloderma suspectum

The Gila monster is one of only two species of venomous lizards (its cousin, the Mexican beaded lizard, is the other). Though the Gila monster is venomous, its sluggish nature means that it represents little threat to humans. However, caution is still

The Gila monster is one of only two species of venomous lizards (its cousin, the Mexican beaded lizard, is the other). Though the Gila monster is venomous, its sluggish nature means that it represents little threat to humans. However, caution is still needed as it can bite quickly and hold on tenaciously.

The Gila monster is found throughout the Southwestern United States and Mexico, a range entailing Sonora, Arizona, parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico (but not Baja California). They inhabit scrubland, succulent desert, and oak woodland, seeking shelter in burrows, thickets, and under rocks in locations with ready access to moisture. Gila monsters spend 90% of their time underground in burrows or rocky shelters.

Venom is produced in modified salivary glands in the Gila monster's lower jaw, unlike snakes, whose venom is produced in the upper jaw. The Gila monster's bite is normally not fatal to adult humans. If bitten, the victim may need to fully submerge the attacking lizard in water to break free from its bite. Symptoms of the bite include excruciating pain, edema, and weakness associated with a rapid drop in blood pressure.

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