Colorful Turning Gila Monster <<>> Heloderma suspectum <<>>

www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-Subpages/h-h-suspectum.html
GILA MONSTER Heloderma suspectum
Venomous
By Thomas C. Brennan

DESCRIPTION: A large (up to 356 mm or 14" from snout to vent) stout bodied lizard with a short, fat tail. The scales on the upper surfaces are hard, rounded, and bead-like. The tongue is dark and forked. Markings consist of a pattern of black bands or reticulations on a peach, orange, yellow, or pink background. There are usually 3 to 5 black bands on the tail. The snout and sides of face are black. Animals from the northwestern part of Arizona are usually banded. Animals from the south-central and southeastern part of Arizona usually have a reticulated or mottled pattern. Young from all parts of the state are banded.

DISTRIBUTION: The Gila Monster can be found across most of western and southern Arizona. Its range extends from the far northwestern corner of the state, down through our western deserts to Yuma, and eastward across nearly all of sub-Mogollon Rim southern Arizona. In our state it has been found at elevations ranging from just above sea level near Yuma to over 5,500'.

HABITAT: Biotic communities ranging from Arizona's desertscrubs into the lower reaches of Great Basin Conifer Woodland and Madrean Evergreen Woodland are home to this lizard. It is most commonly found above the flats in rocky drainages and on rugged bajadas, hillsides, and mountain slopes.

BEHAVIOR: The relatively slow moving and lethargic Gila Monster spends most of its time in underground burrows. When surface active it tromps with an awkward, lumbering gait. Its total surface activity may add up to just 3 weeks per year. It is diurnal in spring and fall and nocturnal during the hot summer months. During the cold months of winter and late fall it hibernates in an underground shelter. It is not aggressive unless it is harassed or captured.
DIET: The Gila Monster is a carnivore that feeds on nestling mammals, nestling birds, the eggs of birds and reptiles, lizards, and carrion. It stores fat in its tail. Four or 5 meals may be enough to sustain the lizard for an entire year.

REPRODUCTION: Males combat for access to receptive females. Mating takes place in spring and summer and eggs are laid in summer. Clutch size ranges from 2 to 12 eggs. Hatchlings emerge from the nest the following spring. Females usually lay a clutch of eggs every other year.

REMARKS: This lizard is a member of Helodermatidae, the only family of venomous lizards in the world. Venom secreted from glands in the lower jaw is delivered through grooves in the teeth. Bites are reported to be painful, but are rarely fatal to humans who get medical attention. Captive specimens have lived to over 25 years of age. Protected in Arizona.
It is against Arizona State law to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect the Gila Monster or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.

By Thomas C. Brennan

Beck, Daniel, D. 2005. Biology of Gila Monsters and Beaded Lizards. University of California Press. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California.

Brennan, T. C., & A. T. Holycross. 2006. A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ

Brennan, T. C., & A. T. Holycross. 2005. A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Maricopa County. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ

Lowe, Schwalbe, Johnson. 1986. The Venomous Reptiles of Arizona. Nongame Branch Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ

Stebbins. 1985. Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin. New York, NY

Stebbins, R.C. 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) Arizona Range Map
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IMG_8067 - Version 2

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Taken on: March 25, 2015

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Camera: Canon EOS 70D, f/18.0, 1/1000 sec, 151mm, ISO 5000 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 70D
Lens:	Canon EF 90-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
Aperture:	f/18.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Focal Length:	151mm
ISO:	5000
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Shutter speed priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	iPhoto 9.5.1
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