Gila monster
Gila (pronounced “heela”) monsters are nocturnal animals, avoiding the heat of day by resting in burrows and deep within rocky crevices. Gila monsters and their very close cousins the beaded lizards are the only venomous lizards in the world.
Though their venom Is not deadly to large mammals (like humans), it is very painful. Get bitten once, and you’ll remember never to tease these guys again!
- Conservation StatusNear Threatened
- Life span20-30 years
- Body size2 ft.
- Native habitat Forests, shrublands, and deserts of the Southwestern United States and Mexico
- DietSmall birds, small mammals, frogs, lizards, insects, eggs, and carrion