Gila Monster

What is a Gila monster

Heloderma suspectum, commonly called the Gila monster (pronunciation Hee-la monster), is a venomous lizard species that is found in northwestern Mexico and southwestern USA. The lizard has a bad repute in the reptile world, being described in local folklore as repulsive and frightful. It is even believed to be capable of killing humans with gusts of venomous breath, stinging with the tongue, leaping high in the air for attacking, and spitting venom.

Gila Monster

Subspecies

The following subspecies have been identified:

• Reticulated Gila monster (H. s. suspectum)
• Banded Gila monster (H. s. cinctum)

Description

Size: The lizard measures up to 10-14 inches (26 cm-36 cm) in snout-to-vent length and the tail measures about 20 percent of their body size. The largest specimens are known to reach 20-22 inches (51 cm-56 cm) in total length.

Weight: Generally, the lizards weigh about 0.77 lb-1.54 lb (350 g-700 g). However, the heaviest specimens can weigh up to 5.1 lb (2,300 g).

Color: The colorful bead-like scales, known as osteoderms, covering their bodies give them their characteristic black and pink with yellow or orange coloration. Banded Gila monsters have additional unbroken bands of yellowish or orange scales, while the other sub-species have a reticulated pattern of light and dark markings.

Skull: The reptile has a massive, stout skull.

Gila Monster Skull

Teeth: These lizards have sharply tipped teeth with irregularly grooved and flattened base. The base is embedded tightly into their beveled jaw.

Gila Monster Teeth

Eyes: They have small, beady eyes and do not possess good eyesight.

Gila Monster Eyes

Tail: Their short, fat tails have a narrow, pointed tip.

Distribution

Gila monsters’ range is in southern and western Arizona, continuing to Sonora. Their inhabitancy also ranges in southwestern New Mexico, southwestern Utah, southern Nevada, and extreme southeastern California.

Habitat

They typically live in oak woodland, succulent desert, and scrublands. These reptiles do not like to stay in open areas, seeking shelter in thickets, burrows, and under rocks located in moist regions.

Behavior

• Gila monsters are solitary and shy reptiles, spending most of their time in rocky shelters or burrows.
• Although they are sluggish in nature, the medium-sized lizards have high endurance with maximum physical capacity.
• During the summer and spring, Gila monsters remain active in the day. When the temperatures are very warm, they are on the go at nights, but they stay in their burrows during winter.
• They rarely share their shelters as they have loose social structures.
• The lizard warns its predators by opening its mouth wide and producing a hissing sound.
• The male lizards engage in wrestling matches to compete for mates. The strongest and the biggest male wins.
• They eat infrequently, but when they do, they may eat up to one-third of their body mass.
• These lizards climb trees to look for eggs in birds’ nests.

Gila Monster Baby

Gila Monster Eggs

Diet

The diet of this carnivorous reptile mainly comprise of small birds, lizards, frogs, mammals, and insects. Reptile and bird eggs are other principal constituents of its diet. They are also scavenger feeders, often feeding on carrion. The large preys are crushed to death, while the smaller ones are eaten alive, swallowed headfirst.

Predators

Coyotes, foxes, mountain lions, owls, and kites are known to hunt the gila monsters.

Adaptations

• The skin coloration of gila monsters serves as camouflage to protect them from predators.
• Their stout claws help them in digging up burrows.
• Characterized with excellent senses of smell and taste, they pick out the scent of their prey by flicking out their forked tongues.
• These reptiles accumulate fat in the tail, which enables them to go months without water and food, especially during hibernation.
• They swing their tail from one side to another for balancing their movement while climbing trees or walking on branches.

Bite and Venom

Capable of killing smaller animals with a single bite, the venom of the gila monsters is a mild neurotoxin, secreted from glands located in their lower jaw. They use their poisonous saliva to kill their prey as well as to fend off their potential predators. When the reptile bites, the little grooves in their teeth help spread the venom into the injury. It has an extremely strong bite, holding on painfully and stubbornly for several seconds. To inflict a deeper wound and transmit more venom, the lizard may chew as well.

Gila Monster Bite

Gila Monster Mouth

Reproduction

Gila monsters mate in the early summer months after coming out of hibernation. The courtship is initiated by the males as they flick their tongues and search the scent of the females. Copulation usually lasts for 15-150 minutes. The females then dig about 5 inches deep holes in the ground to lay a clutch of 2-13 large, oval, leathery eggs, leaving them buried to be hatched. The incubation takes place with sun’s heat. The eggs are around 6.3 cm (2.5 inches) long and 3.2 cm (1.24 inches) wide, weighing about 40 g (1.4 oz). Once the eggs are laid, the adults remain in underground burrows to avoid the summer heat.

Gila Monster Eggs Pictures

Baby Gila Monster

Life Cycle

After nine months of incubation, the baby gila monsters emerge and move slowly on the surface. Upon hatching, the babies measure about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) in length and they can even bite or inject venom. The young lizards usually have larger pink/yellow/orange bands as compared to the adults. Juvenile gila monsters achieve sexual maturity at 3-5 years.

Lifespan

In the wild, gila monsters may survive for 20 years, while in captivity, they manage to live up to 30 years.

Gila Monster Images

Gila Monster Photos

Gila Monster Pictures

As a Pet

Gila monsters do not have a good reputation as pets. However, their fascinating nature and behaviors make them a preferred choice for reptile enthusiasts. Being a legally protected species, special permits and licences are required to pet them in most states. To take proper care of them, the following points should be remembered:

Enclosure: The reptile should be kept in a moderately spacious enclosure having 3.5 sq ft of floor space. The gila monster must be provided with a proper thermal gradient, i.e. a cool location at one end, while a warm relaxing spot at the other. At the warm end, the temperature should be 85°F-90°F, and at the cool end, it should be about 70°F. To prevent it from escaping, the cage should have a screen lid.

Food: Non-breeding females and adult males are usually fed every 2 weeks. During the breeding season, the females are fed twice a week. Water should be kept in a large container that is not easy to overturn.

Cage Care: The cage must be maintained regularly. Spot cleaning has to be performed frequently, especially after meals. Any liquid spills should be cleaned instantly. Any cage décor and dishes kept in their cage should be disinfected weekly.

Handling: Wearing a pair of top quality, thick gloves is recommended for proper caution while handling them. Although the lizard rarely bites humans and large animals, its bite may cause the victim to experience weakness, pain, quick fall in blood pressure, and edema. The victim should be taken to the nearest healthcare center and treated under a doctor’s guidance.

Gila Monster Lizard

Gila Monster Tongue

Conservation Status

It is categorized as a “Near Threatened” species by the IUCN. The Endangered Species Act of USA has listed the species as “Threatened”.

Interesting Facts

• The species gets its name from the Gila River, located in Arizona, because it commonly resides within its drainage system.
• Gila monsters and the beaded lizards are the only two poisonous lizard species to exist in North America.
• Gila monsters are the largest lizards found in the US.
• These lizards are known to flip over while their jaws are held tightly onto the prey. This mechanism allows them to spread the poisonous saliva into the wound.
• A protein obtained from the lizard’s saliva is utilized for the production of a drug, called lizard spit, which is useful in treating Type 2 diabetes.