Gila monsters are the largest native lizards living in the United States. They're also known as some of the only lizards in the world who are venomous, but they don't use this venom for catching prey. Gila monsters are generally considered sluggish animals and may spend months without eating. This is because they're really good at storing energy! Gila monsters live in burrows going so far as to lay their eggs inside of them.
Scientific Name: Heloderma suspectum
Range: southwestern US and northwestern Mexico
Size: 16.7 inches (425mm); 1.3 pounds (600g)
Diet: vertebrate eggs and nestlings
Lifespan: 20+ years
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Image and Video Credits:
AskaBiologist - • Gila monster Climbs a ...
Eric Kilby - www.flickr.com...
California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife - www.flickr.com...
Tobias Nordhausen - www.flickr.com...
Shaan Hurley - www.flickr.com...
Donteiser - commons.wikime... commons.wikime...
Charles Lehardy - vimeo.com/1084...
Josh Olander - commons.wikime...
Diego Gtz - www.inaturalis...
Matt Berger - www.inaturalis... www.inaturalis... www.inaturalis...
Research Credits:
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