Gila Monster

SAFETY NOTE: These animals are highly dangerous to humans, and are found in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sabino Canyon, and the Sonora desert areas around them. Close contact with these animals should be avoided. For what to do if you are attacked and bitten by a Gila monster, please follow this link.

This large monster was out at almost high noon and happened upon a field mouse. It caught and ate the mouse quite quickly. The tail of his dinner, which he ate whole, is still hanging from his mouth. He was easy to photograph as he was so full, and not inclined to move away rapidly. (I guess this photograph could also be used in an article on field mice. I could title it: Field Mouse - Wrapped in Gila Monster.)

Please Note: On April 3, 1952, the Gila monster went onto the protected species list under Arizona State Law. This made the Gila the very first reptile to be protected in Arizona, and also the first venomous reptile to be protected anywhere in the United States. It is protected throughout its entire range in the United States and in neighboring Mexico. It is unlawful to harm them or harass them in any way. There are very stringent punishments for violating this animal's protected status. There are now seven reptiles protected under Arizona State Law.

The notorious Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) is one of only two known species of venomous lizards in the entire world - a noteworthy distinction. The other venomous lizard is the Mexican Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum). Both animals are found in the Sonora desert, but only the Gila is also found in the Mohave desert. The Gila (pronounced hee'la) is the largest lizard in North America, sometimes measuring up to and slightly over twenty-four inches in length, and weighing up to a whopping five pounds at maturity. Even the young are large when they are born – measuring up to 6½ inches in length.

The Monster enjoys a long lifespan of 20-30 years, during which time its large, heavy body will fully develop rather slowly. They have short, thick tails, and widely-set, powerful legs. The animal's long, curved claws are very hard and strong. This animal's tail is so thick, in fact, that it appears more like a long, flexible extension of the body than a tail. The tail is where this animal stores fat, which allows it to weather through hard times in the harsh, unforgiving desert environs – living solely off the tail-stored fats.

Gila's have dome-shaped scales that give them a unique "beaded" appearance. These beads come in a range of spectacularly attractive and interesting color bands. The colors are yellow, pink, orange, and black.

The relatively thick tail of this lizard shows that he hasn't been eating all that well. Here, he is hunkered down lying in wait for some unsuspecting prey to come along - perhaps something he has smelled under the debris he is atop. If the Gila is able to grab prey, it is almost sure that it will not be able to escape the mighty clamping of its jaws.

 

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