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Gila Monster

Heloderma Suspectum

Last updated: January 3, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff

It's tail acts as a fat storage facility!

Continue Reading after the facts...


Gila Monster Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Helodermatidae
Genus
Heloderma
Scientific Name
Heloderma Suspectum

Gila Monster Conservation Status

  • Near Threatened

Gila Monster Locations

  • North-America
Gila Monster Locations

Gila Monster Facts

Main Prey
Eggs, Small Mammals, Birds and Reptiles
Habitat
Shrubland, desert and woodland
Predators
Humans, Coyotes, Birds Of Prey
Diet
Carnivore
Lifestyle
  • Solitary
Favorite Food
Eggs
Type
Reptile
Average Clutch Size
8
Slogan
It's tail acts as a fat storage facility!

Gila Monster Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Brown
  • Grey
  • Black
  • White
  • Tan
Skin Type
Scales
Top Speed
15 mph
Lifespan
20-30 years
Weight
1.3-2.2kg (3-5lbs)

Gila Monster Images

Click through all of our Gila Monster images in the gallery.

View all of the Gila Monster images!

The gila monster is a large species of lizard that is natively found in parts of the southern United States and northern Mexico. The gila monster is also one of only two species of venomous lizard found in North America. The gila monster is found roaming through a range of habitats throughout the drier regions of central America. Gila monsters tend to inhabit areas that are more sheltered such as shrublands, woodlands, forests and semi-deserts. In the same way that a camel’s hump, the tail of the gila monster acts as a fat storage facility in order to help the gila monster to survive more successfully in such arid conditions. When the gila monster eats and therefore replenishes its fat supply, the tail of the gila monster swells in size and becomes smaller again as its body uses up the fat. The gila monster has short powerful legs, and long claws which it mainly uses for digging. Gila monsters spend nearly all of their time in burrows underground, either ones they have dug themselves or more likely, those stolen from other animals. The gila monster is one of only two venomous lizard species that are found in North America. The gila monster has venom glands below its teeth on the bottom jaw which is released when the gila monster bites its prey. The gila monster then waits while its venom kills the animal, before finally eating it. The gila monster is a carnivorous animal and therefore has a purely animal-based diet. Bird and reptile eggs make up the majority of the gila monster’s diet, along with insects, frogs, small mammals and reptiles, including smaller lizards. Despite its large size, the gila monster is a fairly slow-moving animal meaning that it is preyed upon by a number of predators in its natural environment. Coyotes and humans (who often kill the gila monster claiming self-defence), are the main predators of the gila monster along with birds of prey and small ground-dwelling animals that hunts the eggs of the gila monster. After mating, the female gila monster lays between 2 and 15 eggs which she buries underground. The incubation period for the gila monster eggs is one of the longest of all reptiles, as they can take up to a year to hatch.View all 46 animals that start with G

Gila Monster FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Gila Monsters herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Gila Monsters are Carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.

What Kingdom do Gila Monsters belong to?

Gila Monsters belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Gila Monsters belong to?

Gila Monsters belong to the class Reptilia.

What phylum to Gila Monsters belong to?

Gila Monsters belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Gila Monsters belong to?

Gila Monsters belong to the family Helodermatidae.

What order do Gila Monsters belong to?

Gila Monsters belong to the order Squamata.

What type of covering do Gila Monsters have?

Gila Monsters are covered in Scales.

What genus do Gila Monsters belong to?

Gila Monsters belong to the genus Heloderma.

In what type of habitat do Gila Monsters live?

Gila Monsters live in shrublands, deserts, and woodlands.

What is the main prey for Gila Monsters?

Gila Monsters prey on eggs, small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

What are some predators of Gila Monsters?

Predators of Gila Monsters include humans, coyotes, and birds of prey.

How many eggs do Gila Monsters lay?

Gila Monsters typically lay 8 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Gila Monsters?

A Gila Monster’s tail acts as a fat storage facility!

What is the scientific name for the Gila Monster?

The scientific name for the Gila Monster is Heloderma Suspectum.

Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

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