41. BBC News | HEALTH | Alzheimer's Research Seeks Out Lizards a venomous lizard could provide a treatment for Alzheimer s disease, scientists believe. An experimental drug has been developed from the gila monster s saliva http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1912396.stm

CATEGORIES TV RADIO COMMUNICATE ... INDEX SEARCH You are in: Health Front Page World UK ... AudioVideo SERVICES Daily E-mail News Ticker Mobiles/PDAs Feedback ... Low Graphics Friday, 5 April, 2002, 23:12 GMT 00:12 UK Alzheimer's research seeks out lizards The Gila monster could help Alzheimer's patients A substance found in the saliva of a venomous lizard could provide a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, scientists believe. An experimental drug has been developed from the Gila monster's saliva to improve memory and learning. The New York-based biotechnology company Axonyx Inc., which has developed the drug, Gilatide, hopes to use it in human trials later this year. The Gila monster's bite can be deadly, but its saliva contains a chemical which acts on a previously unknown receptor pathway in the brain that affects memory. The animal is native to the southwest United States and Mexico. It's good to be imaginative and inventive when looking for new treatments Richard Harvey, Alzheimer's Society The Alzheimer's Society has welcomed the development, although it has cautioned that any drug breakthrough could be a long way off.

42. Photographs Of Gila Monster (Heloderma Suspectum) Helodermatidae, Reptiles; -ter PHOTOVALET (tm) Enter search term, AnimalsHerpetiles Reptiles; lizards gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum), Images by Wernher Krutein and PHOTOVAULT. http://www.photovault.com/Link/Animals/Reptiles/Lizards/Species/GilaMonster.html

PHOTOVALET (tm) Enter search term Animals-Herpetiles: Reptiles; Lizards: Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) , Images by Wernher Krutein and PHOTOVAULT T his page contains samples from our picture files on the Gila Monster . These photographs are available for licensing in any media. For Pricing, General Guidelines, and Delivery information click here . You may contact us thru email or by phone for more information on the use of these images, and any others in our files not shown here. You may also use our search engine PHOTOVALET (tm) to find other images not found on this page. Please do not ask us or email us for free use of these images or for free information! Unfortunately we can not help with specific questions related to the care, feeding, or extermination of these animals. We recommend having a sense of awe, wonder, and reverence, for these fascinating animals in such a way that we respect and honor their existence. Our Lizard images can be linked to as follows: Lizards Volume 1 Lizards Volume 2 Included in the Vault are images of: African Plated Lizard Banded Iguana Basilisk Lizard Bearded Dragon ... Frilled Lizard Gila Monster Iguanas Jesus Christ Lizard Komodo Dragon Legless Lizards ... White Throated Monitor See also: Alligators Snakes Turtles Salamanders Sirens Newts-[Urodela] ... Cactus Click on any of the thumbnail images below to view an enlarged photo . . . . .

43. Photographs Of Lizards And Tuatara Animals: Reptiles; -terrestrial And Aquatic, . . Chameleons, Whiptail lizards, Horned lizards, Goannas, Legless lizards, Monitor lizards, Chuckwalla (Sauromalus obesus), gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum http://www.photovault.com/Link/Animals/Reptiles/Lizards/ARLVolume01.html

PHOTOVALET (tm) Enter search term Animals-Herpetiles: Reptiles; Lizards - terrestrial and aquatic, Volume 1, Images by Wernher Krutein and PHOTOVAULT T his page contains samples from our picture files on Lizards . These photographs are available for licensing in any media. For Pricing, General Guidelines, and Delivery information click here . You may contact us thru email or by phone for more information on the use of these images, and any others in our files not shown here. You may also use our search engine PHOTOVALET (tm) to find other images not found on this page. Please do not ask us or email us for free use of these images and for free information! Unfortunately we can not help with specific questions related to the care, feeding, or extermination of these animals. We recommend having a sense of awe, wonder, and reverence, for these fascinating animals in such a way that we respect and honor their existence. Our Lizard images can be linked to as follows: Lizards Volume 1, Lizards Volume 2 Included in the Vault are images of: African Plated Lizard Banded Iguana Basilisk Lizard Bearded Dragon ... White Throated Monitor See also: Alligators Snakes Turtles Salamanders Sirens Newts-[Urodela] ... Cactus Click on any of the thumbnail images below to view an enlarged photo . . . . .

44. Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) gila Monsters may spend up to 98% of their lives underground (mostly in burrows); water evaporates from their skin easily compared to other lizards, thus http://wc.pima.edu/Bfiero/tucsonecology/animals/rept_gimo.htm

Gila Monster ( Heloderma suspectum DESCRIPTION: L=1.5' (46cm) including tail. Overall yellowish to pinkish to orangish with a variable black pattern. The snout and tongue are black. Scales are bead-like. Pronounced "HE-la" monster. NATURAL HISTORY: Venomous . Usually must be handled to get bitten; watch out, they are faster than they appear. Gila Monsters may bite and not let go, continuing to chew and inject more venom into the victim. Venom is released from venom glands in the lower jaws and travels up grooves on the outside of the teeth and into the victim. The toxin is extremely painful and medical attention should be sought immediately (the bite is potentially fatal when bitten, call the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 626-6016 in Tucson and 1-800-362-0101 elsewhere in Arizona See also section on Venomous Animals Gila Monsters are the largest and only venomous lizard in the U.S. The only other known venomous lizard in the world is the Mexican Beaded Lizard (

45. Poisonous Lizards Identifying. gila Monsters grow to a substantial size about 14 inches long and are larger than most other N. American lizards. They are identified by their. http://www.geo-outdoors.info/poisonous_lizards.htm

Home Search Mission About the Author ... Gear Sources Poisonous Lizards Gila Monster The only poisonous lizard known to the world is native to the desert southwest of the US and Mexico. Known as the Gila Monster or Beaded Lizard, these animals spend about 80% of their life underground but become more active at the surface during Spring. Technically, there are two species of Gila Monster, but it usually takes a herpetologist to make the distinction. Though Gila Monsters appear slow and lumbering, these creatures can move with surprising speed, and they WILL render a severe, poisonous bite. They have been known to stay attached to human victims for 15 minutes, and in at least one case, not even pliers could pry the animal loose. Recently deceased snakes can still have a bite reflex, and to be on the safe side, I would expect the same of this creature. Additionally, the poisons from these animals can still affect a person long after the lizard has been dead should a finger be snagged on a fang for example. As with all animals, these creatures are a normal and desired part of the

46. Gila Monsters gila monsters are the largest lizard species in the world. gila monsters are carnivores, feeding on small animals like rodents. gila monsters are lizards. http://www.edhelper.com/AnimalReadingComprehension_172_1.html

Sample Gila Monsters Worksheet Animal Worksheets Return to Reptile Worksheets edHelper.com Subscribers: Build a printable worksheet with the complete story and puzzles Build a proofreading activity With just one subscription, you will have access to the math, spelling, vocabulary, and critical thinking worksheets! Sign up now for the subscriber materials! Gila Monsters Gila (pronounced "HEE-luh") monsters measuring up to 2 feet in length and 3 pounds in weight are not only the largest lizard species in the U.S., but also one of the only two poisonous lizard species on Earth! (The other is the Mexican beaded lizard.) Named after the Gila River Basin where they were first discovered, they dwell in arid and semi-arid areas of southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. Gila monsters are creative dressers. They cover their entire bodies with bead-like scales in yellow, orange, white, pink, and black. Though their colorful outfits lacking intricate patterns and elaborate designs are not very pretty, they send a clear message to any animal that dares to intimidate them, "I am venomous; don't mess with me!" Paragraphs 3 to 5: For the complete story: (edHelper subscribers) click here for printable story and worksheets.

47. SurvivalIQ Handbook: Survival Skills - Poisonous Snakes And Lizards gila monster. gila monster Heloderma suspectum Characteristics Not an aggressive lizard, but it is ready to defend itself when provoked. http://www.survivaliq.com/survival/poisonous-snakes-and-lizards-gila-monster.htm

Home Survival Skills Land Navigation Survival Fitness Contents 1. Introduction 2. Psychology of survival 3. Survival planning and survival kits 4. Basic survival medicine ... D. Dangerous insects and arachnids E. Poisonous snakes and lizards F. Dangerous fish and mollusks G. Clouds: foretellers of weather H. Contingency plan of action format Gila monster Gila monster Heloderma suspectum Description: Robust, with a large head and a heavy tail. Its body is covered with beadlike scales. It is capable of storing fat against lean times when food is scarce. Its color is striking in rich blacks laced with yellow or pinkish scales. Characteristics: Not an aggressive lizard, but it is ready to defend itself when provoked. If approached too closely, it will turn toward the intruder with its mouth open. If it bites, it hangs on tenaciously and must be pried off. Its venom glands and grooved teeth are on its bottom jaw. Habitat: Found in arid areas, coming out at night or early morning hours in search of small rodents and bird eggs. During the heat of the day it stays under brush or rocks. Length: Average 30 centimeters, maximum 50 centimeters.

48. SurvivalIQ Handbook: Survival Skills - Dangerous Animals - Dangerous Lizards Describes types of dangerous lizards commonly encountered in survival situations including gila monsters, Mexican beaded lizards and Komodo dragons. http://www.survivaliq.com/survival/dangerous-animals_s5.htm

Home Survival Skills Land Navigation Survival Fitness Contents 1. Introduction 2. Psychology of survival 3. Survival planning and survival kits 4. Basic survival medicine ... - Poisonous snakes - Dangerous lizards - Dangers in rivers - Dangers in bays and estuaries - Saltwater dangers 12. Field-expedient weapons, tools, and equipment ... H. Contingency plan of action format DANGEROUS LIZARDS The Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard are dangerous and poisonous lizards. Gila Monster The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectrum) of the American southwest, including Mexico, is a large lizard with dark, highly textured skin marked by pinkish mottling. It averages 35 to 45 centimeters in length and has a thick, stumpy tail. Unlikely to bite unless molested, it has a poisonous bite. Mexican Beaded Lizard The Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) resembles its relative, the Gila monster. It has more uniform spots rather than bands of color (the Gila monster). It also is poisonous and has a docile nature. You find it from Mexico to Central America. Komodo Dragon This giant lizard (Varanus komodoensis) grows to more than 3 meters in length and can be dangerous if you try to capture it. This Indonesian lizard can weigh more than 135 kilograms.

49. Venomous Lizards-Gila Monsters & Beaded Lizards gila Monsters Beaded lizards. Questions regarding gila Monsters or Beaded lizards? Want to add some more information? Email me by clicking here. http://www.geocities.com/thealienguys/venomlizards.html

The Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum , is native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico. The Beaded Lizard, Heloderma horidum , is native to Mexico and Guatemala. These two lizards are the only two venomous lizards in the world. The venom is produced in glands in the lower jaw beneath the bottom row of teeth. The teeth are grooved so that when the lizards bite into a predator, the venom can be worked into the wound the teeth have created by using a chewing motion. The venom causes an excruciating pain, weakness, but it rarely causes death in humans. The venom's use is probably mainly for protection against predators, not for killing prey. Their prey consists of the young of small mammals, particularly rodents. The Beaded Lizard locates prey mainly by scent. The Beaded Lizard can reach lengths of 3 ½ feet (that's including the tail); the Gila Monster normally attains a length of almost 2 feet. The Gila Monster being the stockier of the two, it stores fat in its tail for times when food is scarce. Both lizards are primarily nocturnal. During the day each of the lizards spend their time in burrows until the evening and night when they come out to feed. During the breeding season, which is in late spring, male Gila Monsters battle each other for mates. After laying eggs it takes 10 days for them to hatch. The number of eggs can be up to 7.

50. The Endangered Gila Monster The gila monster got its name from the gila Basin, in Arizona. The gila monsters are heavybodied lizards with large heads and powerful jaws. http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/7951/gilamnstr.html

Learn About The Endangered GILA MONSTER GILA MONSTER SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION KINGDOM Animalia PHYLUM Chordata CLASS Reptilia ORDER Squamata SUBORDER Lacertilia FAMILY Helodermatidae GENUS/SPECIES COMMON NAME Heloderma suspectum suspectum Reticulated(Southern)gila monster Heloderma suspectum cinctum Banded(Northern)gila monster The Gila Monster is one of two species of venomous lizards, the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum, with 2 subspecies) and the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum, with 3 subspecies). The Gila monster is found in the desert regions of Arizona, New Mexico and northwestern Mexico. The beaded lizard is found only in Mexico, south of the range of the Gila monster. The Gila monster got its name from the Gila Basin, in Arizona. The Gila monsters are heavy-bodied lizards with large heads and powerful jaws. It is a stout animal which usually weighs 3 - 5 pounds. Its length varies from 12 - 24 inches for an adult. It has a thick, short tail which contains fat storage that the animal can survive on, when there is no food or when the animal is in hibernation.

51. ADW: Heloderma Suspectum: Information gila monsters are large and stout lizards with a short fat tail (maximum length of 56 centimeters). Their scales are beaded yellow, pink, and black. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/heloderma/h._suspectum$narrative.

Overview News Conditions of Use ADW Staff ... Home Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Suborder Sauria Family Helodermatidae Species Heloderma suspectum Heloderma suspectum (gila monster) Information Pictures Classification editLink('skunkworks/.accounts/0728668b-f90d-45d4-970a-61aa9865c498') 2004/05/18 13:18:57.897 GMT-4 By Matthew D. Stewart Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Sauria Family: Helodermatidae Genus: Heloderma Species: Heloderma suspectum Geographic Range The Gila monster ranges from the extreme southwestern Utah, southern Nevada, and adjacent San Bernadino County, California, southeastrward through west and south Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. It ranges south into Mexico through Sonora to northwestern Sinaloa. It ranges from sea level to 1,500 meters in altitude. (Ernst, 1992) Biogeographic Regions: nearctic native Habitat The Gila monster can be found in arid areas. These areas usually contain scattered cacti, shrubs, mesquite, and grasses. Rocky slopes, arroyos, and canyon bottoms (mainly those with streams) support populations in Arizona. (Ernst, 1992) Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune Physical Description This is one of only two venomous lizard species in the world (the other is the Mexican beaded lizard

52. Gila Monsters - Pictures, Breeders, Gila Monster Babies The gila s skin is much more permeable than many other desert lizards, so they prefer days where the relative humidity is 5080% to be active. http://www.gila-monster.org/

Gila Monsters Gila Monsters - Physical Description Source: WhoZoo Gila Monsters belong to one of the two venomous lizard species of the world. The other poisonous lizard is the Mexican Beaded lizard. The Gila Monster is unique among other reptiles. It is large, heavy-bodied, possessing a massive head, and small eyes. One of the characteristic signs of the lizard's appearance is its short, swollen tail. The body is a spotted pattern of black, pink, orange, or yellow scales. The skin of the Gila Monster is often called beadlike. It is made up of rounded, raised scales. The legs of the lizard are rather short, and set far apart. The curved claws on the feet are used for digging. The tongue of the Gila Monster is snake-like. These lizards tend to flick out their forked tongue, as they crawl. It helps them pick up scents. Gila Monsters - Physical Description - Scientific Name: Heloderma suspectum Gila Monsters - Physical Description - Range: The Gila Monster is a desert species. It is found in southwestern Utah, the southern tip of Nevada, southwestern New Mexico, Arizona, and Sonora. They are also found in Northwestern Mexico. Source: The Gila Ranch Gila Monsters - Physical Description - Size: This is the largest lizard known to the United States. A large adult lizard is normally 20-21 inches long. Hatchlings are usually six to six and one-half inches in length. Growth rate the Gila Monster is slow. Young lizards grow at a faster rate than the adults. The Gila Monster typically weighs three to five pounds.

53. ThinkQuest : Library : Ben & Jason's Page Of Reptiles Poisonous lizards. The only poisonous lizards in the world are the gila monster and the beaded lizard from Mexico. HOME Snakes Glass http://library.thinkquest.org/4222/poisonouslizards.htm

Index Life Science Animals Our page attempts to teach people about reptiles. The site includes where they live, their diet,their behaviors, their dangers, and their special defences. Visit Site 1998 ThinkQuest USA Want to build a ThinkQuest site? The ThinkQuest site above is one of thousands of educational web sites built by students from around the world. Click here to learn how you can build a ThinkQuest site. Privacy Policy

54. ThinkQuest : Library : Reptiles And Amphibians The other of the two poisonous lizards is the gila monster. This lizard can grow up to 23in. long and can weigh up to 3 lb. The average life span is 20 years. http://library.thinkquest.org/J0111388/lizards.htm

Index Life Science Animals Reptiles and Amphibians Our website is about Reptiles and amphibians. We picked this topic because we were all familiar with the topic. The animals we picked were snakes, turtles, lizards, salamanders, and crocodiles. Visit Site 2001 ThinkQuest USA Want to build a ThinkQuest site? The ThinkQuest site above is one of thousands of educational web sites built by students from around the world. Click here to learn how you can build a ThinkQuest site. Privacy Policy

55. Lizards Websites. Goatsby s Place http//www.goatsby.com/ Dealing with many topics including legality, husbandry and handling of gila monsters and bearded lizards. http://www.directory.net/Recreation/Pets/Reptiles_and_Amphibians/Lizards/

Lizards Directory: Guide to Lizards sites on the internet. Search Engines: Google Yahoo MSN FindWhat ... City Guides Lizards Recreation Pets Reptiles and Amphibians Lizards Categories Anoles Bearded Dragons Chameleons Geckos ... Water Dragons Websites Goatsby's Place http://www.goatsby.com/ Dealing with many topics including legality, husbandry and handling of gila monsters and bearded lizards. James and Donnas Reptile Pages http://www.jklsreptile.homestead.com/ Information on leopard geckos, bearded dragons, white spotted geckos, crevice spiny lizards, pink tongued skink and corn snake. Lists general information, facts about salmonella, care sheets, diseases and disorders and links. Plated Lizard Article http://www.unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/plated.html Information on plated lizards of the genus gerrhosaurus by David T. Kirkpatrick. Lizards 2K http://www.angelfire.com/dc/lizards2k/ Contains basic and advanced care, help and general information. Lizards at Bushy Park Wetlands http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fbpw/lizards.htm Seven species of Lizard have been recorded at Bushy Park Wetlands, in Glen Waverley, Australia. Learn about Lizards in general and each species in particular.

56. Gila Monster : Order Lizards : Class Reptiles : Subphylim Vertebrata : Phylum Ch In captivity the lizards have shown a fondness for chicken eggs or dead white mice. gilamonster eggs are leathery-shelled and about the size of hen eggs. http://www.bioproject.info/PARTICULAR_BIOLOGY/Superkingdom_Eukaryotae/Kingdom_An

WASP Website navigation : home PARTICULAR BIOLOGY Superkingdom Eukaryotae Kingdom Animalia ... Order lizards Gila monster Gila Monster, common name for the largest lizard in the United States, the only poisonous lizard in the United States and one of the only two poisonous lizards known in the world. It is found in desert areas of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico and in northwestern Mexico. The Gila monster is heavily built and moves slowly on four short legs, dragging a thick, short, blunt tail. Fat is stored in the tail, and the lizard can live for months on this reserve. The adult lizard is between 46 and 61 cm (18 and 24 in) in length with an often strikingly colored body—black with numerous beads, or tubercles, of pink, orange, yellow, or white; the black head is marbled with pink. The tongue is forked, broad, and flat. Gila monsters eat mostly small rodents, juvenile birds, and bird and reptile eggs. In captivity the lizards have shown a fondness for chicken eggs or dead white mice. Gila-monster eggs are leathery-shelled and about the size of hen eggs. Females lay about a dozen eggs in a wide hole in moist sand, cover them, and then abandon them. The young hatch in about 10 months. Gila monsters bite and then hang on strongly. The poison, used mainly as a defense, is secreted by glands in the lower jaw and flows out along grooves on the teeth of the lower and upper jaws. Although the bite can be a threat to human beings, the poisoning of humans by Gila monsters is rare and usually the result of careless handling. In the United States, the Gila monster is protected by federal and state laws. The only other poisonous lizard is the beaded lizard, a closely related species found in Mexico and Guatemala.

57. SchoolWorld Endangered Species Project: Gila Monster It also eats birds, other lizards and the eggs of birds, lizards, turtles and tortoises. Baby gila Monsters can consume 50% of their body weight at one time. http://www.schoolworld.asn.au/species/gila.html

Gila Monster Submitted by Omar Al-Ansari American School of Kuwait Hawalli, Kuwait City, Kuwait Gila Monster Source Unknown Photographer Unknown Description: The Gila Monster is one of the only two types of poisonous lizards in the world. There are two types of Gila Monsters. The Heloderma suspectum suspectum (Reticulate) and these adults are mottle and blotched. The second is the Heloderma suspectum cinctum(Banded) and these adults have a broad double crossband. The Gila Monster appears sluggish in the wild but it can quickly turn around and bite; when the Gila Monster bites its prey or its enemy, it holds on to it viciously. The Gila Monster's venom is as deadly as the venom of Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake. It is the only poisonous lizard in North America and is the biggest. The Gila Monster comes out at night and spends 98% of its time in a burrow that was built or stolen from another animal. In winter, the Gila Monster hibernates in its burrow and uses the stored fat in its tail that can keep it alive for months. The Gila Monster lays 1-12 eggs at one time. The eggs have a tough cover. This creature can live up to 20 years.

58. FAMILY HELODERMATIDAE The most unusual species of all the New World lizards, the gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) and the Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum), are the only http://home.globalcrossing.net/~brendel/helo.html

FAMILY HELODERMATIDAE The most unusual species of all the New World lizards, the Gila Monster ( Heloderma suspectum ) and the Beaded Lizard ( Heloderma horridum ), are the only survivors of a large group of poisonous monsters that roamed the earth 30-40 million years ago. The family name is derived from the Greek words helos, meaning decorative stud, and derma referring to the skin. The heloderms, with their rounded heads , five banded plump tail and black, orange or pink beaded body, are clearely distinguishable from all other lizards. The Gila Monsters are distributed throughout the Sonoran, Mohave, Colorado and Chihuahua deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, with the Beaded Lizard found only in the lowlying deserts of western Mexico. The brilliant coloring of these lizards acts as an effective warning to all predators that they are poisonous and should be avoided. The venom apparatus, which is located in the lower jaws, release the venom at the base of the teeth where it is introduced into the prey by biting and chewing motions. Not only does the venom imobolizes the prey but, acts to aid in the digestion process by a partially pre-digesting a portion the food. The heloderms are generally crepuscular, with poor vision and small eyes. Their shortened but stout legs are used to burrow into the hard soil of the low flat desert country, or alter burrows taken over from other animals. Feeding on small and/or baby rodents, small birds and eggs, the heloderms often climb into the low lying branches of cacti and mesquite to steal the young and eggs of nesting birds.

59. Gila Monster Stores food in tail. gila Monsters are large lizards with stout bodies, big heads, powerful jaws, and short, sturdy digging legs. http://www.scenicdrive.org/cgmonster.htm

Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Directory Tour Attractions Plants ... E-mail.Us Gila Monster There are only two venomous lizards in the world, and both live in the Southwest; the Gila Monster and the Mexican beaded lizard. The shy Gila Monster is one of seven reptiles species protected by Arizona law since 1952. They are the surviving members of an ancient beaded lizard family, distinguished by their colorful beaded skins. Both species live in Sonora, Mexico, but only the Gila Monster can be found in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. Seldom seen, these unusual creatures are living fossils, honored by primitive man, and if not carefully guarded doomed by civilized man. Stores food in tail Gila Monsters are large lizards with stout bodies, big heads, powerful jaws, and short, sturdy digging legs. They have big feet with large toes and long, strong claws. Gila Monsters grow to nearly two feet and have a black snout, short sausage-shaped tail and black tongue. Their body colors vary from black to coral pink to black with orange, yellow with cream. Fat for future energy and metabolic water is stored in the tail as well as in the abdominal body. A well-fed Gila Monster does not have to drink water and seldom does. Its prey serves as its sole source of food as well as water. Impressive appetite Young Gila Monsters can consume more than 50 percent of their body weight in a single feeding, and adults, about 35 percent. Gila Monsters like eggs, and they consume large quantities of

60. AMNH - Expedition : Endangered a baby bird. gila monsters are the largest lizards native to North America, but they re less than two feet long. They live in the http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/Endangered/gila/gila.html

Gila Monster Heloderma suspectum During the winter, when the animals hibernate, they live off the fat stored in their tails. Threats habitat loss resulting from urban development and road building STATUS: IUCN VULNERABLE SIZE: Length: 15-23 inches (38-58 cm), largest lizard native to U.S. POPULATION Unknown, but presumably small CONSERVATION: CITES trade restrictions Reluctant Monster There is nothing very monstrous about the gila monster unless you're a young mouse or a baby bird. Gila monsters are the largest lizards native to North America, but they're less than two feet long. They live in the deserts of Mexico and the southwestern U.S., preying on the young of small mammals, nestling birds, and bird and tortoise eggs that they find in mesquite scrub. They are stout-bodied lizards with short legs and a short, fat tail. They're covered with bright irregular markings, usually pink, yellow or white, against black or brown scales. They are shy, retiring creatures unless they're provoked. Then they can be dangerous because they secrete a neurotoxin a poison that destroys nerve tissue from their salivary glands. In humans, their bite can result in severe pain and even death. Using their strong, thick claws, gila monsters can climb into low bushes in search of food, but they don't do it very often; they prefer to stay on the ground. In fact, they spend most of their time underground, often in the burrows of small mammals. In some areas, they are nocturnal; in others they are active during the day. During the winter, they hibernate.

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