FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The Gila Monster is a large lizard that is endemic to the United States. Gila is pronounced 'hee-la,' and they were termed so after being first discovered in Arizona's Gila River basin. The reptile is one of the largest venomous lizards in the world. They are colorful reptiles with bright black, pink, orange, and yellow patterns. They live in underground burrows and are migratory animals. They prefer living in scrubland, and succulent deserts. Gila Monsters store fat in their tails and use it during brumation. They are solitary animals and only during the breeding season do they socialise. Sexual dimorphism is seen in this species and so is polyandry. They are bred in captivity and are found in America's zoos. There were many myths surrounding this reptile because of its venomous nature as the foul smell around the breath of this reptile is considered poisonous. The bite is harmful but not fatal for human beings. The Gila Monster was featured as one of the characters in a 2011 feature film named 'Rango.'
If you like this article, please also go through our other articles, frilled lizard and bog turtle.
Gila Monsters are the largest lizards endemic to the United States. It is a sluggish, venomous animal but not a dangerous one, to be precise, and not a threat to human life. The Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) and Mexican Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum) are the only two venomous lizards in the world.
The Gila Monster belongs to the class Reptilia and family Helodermatidae. The scientific name of Gila Lizard is Heloderma suspectum. Heloderma literally means studded skin in the ancient Greek language. They belong to the order Squamata, the scaled reptiles' largest order.
An accurate count is not available. According to a recent study, there are somewhere around 450-800 Gila Monsters. Recent studies have revealed a decline in these Gila Monster populations (Heloderma Suspectum) reptiles.
The Gila Monster lives in scrubland, succulent desert, and oak woodland. They shelter in caves, crevices, and thickets in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Sonora, Arizona, parts of California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.
Though Gila Monster is a desert animal, it prefers to live close to water resources. It was first discovered in Arizona's Gila River basin. Heloderma Suspectum Gila can be seen in the water puddles after a warm summer rain. Their habitat includes humidity supporting microclimate; hence they prefer underground burrows and thickets.
Gila Monsters are solitary animals. These reptiles live on their own except during mating. They live with other dessert animals in their habitat preying on one another.
The Gila Monster (Heloderma Suspectum) lives from 20-30 years in the wild. But in captivity, they live only a few years. Females that have laid eggs get exhausted and become skinny. Brumation, also known as one of the hibernation processes of cold-blooded animals, helps them regulate their body temperature to survive harsh climates.
Gila Monsters lay eggs. They attain sexual maturity at four years of age. The male makes the first move, and if rejected the female bites the male and chases it away. Otherwise, the pair go into their shelter. A female lays a clutch of about six to thirteen eggs. The incubation period is around four months. The eggs are about 2.5 in(6.3 cm) long and weigh about 40 grams. At birth, a baby Gila is around 6.3 in (16 cm) long. Hatchlings fend for themselves in the absence of parental care to grow.
According to the IUCN Red List, Gila Monster's status is near threatened. With many predators, human encroachment in their habitats, their numbers have reduced.
Gila Monsters are large lizards with broad heads and necks and big tails to store fat. The body is covered in beaded scales with colorful patterns and they have wide feet with long sharp claws.
Gila Monsters walk on their short legs, with the tail above the ground swinging from side to side for balance. Their gait is fun to watch at. They have colorful scales, which makes them beautiful.
Much information is not available on how Gila Monsters communicate. But like most reptiles, they come together during the breeding season.
Gila Monsters grow to weigh 4 lb (1.8 kg) and a length including the tail of up to 20 in (50 cm). They are one of the largest lizards in the United States.
Gila Monsters move at a maximum speed of 15 mph. Generally, they are very slow but can move swiftly to produce a quick venomous bite if provoked.
The whole bodyweight of adult Gila Monsters is around 4 lb (1.8 kg). At the time of birth, hatchlings are just over six inches. They are the largest species of lizard found in the U.S.
No separate terms are given to this species' male and female counterparts. But a group of Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) is called a lounge.
The hatchling of a Gila Monster has no separate name of its own.
Gila Monster eats young mammals and other reptiles in its habitat. Rabbits, ground squirrels, mice, other smaller lizards, insects, snakes, frogs and eggs of other species, and sometimes even small birds. It can eat almost a third of its body weight in one meal.
The Gila Monsters bite is poisonous. Though their venom is not fatal for humans, many small to adverse side effects are observed, including paralysis and difficulty in breathing, and sometimes convulsions. The venom is poisonous enough to bring down its prey. The lizard has its venom in the glands of its lower jaw, and they chew into the flesh of its prey to deposit the venom into the body.
Gila Monsters, which are captive bred, are only allowed to be sold and bought as pets. But there are few states which ban them as a pet completely. Having these venomous creatures around requires extra effort and care.
The giant Gila Monster does not chew its food but directly swallows it. They are protected under Amazon law. They shed their skin like other reptiles, but the female sheds all of its skin a fortnight before laying the eggs.
Gila Monsters are one of the largest poisonous lizards in the world. Their venom doesn't kill healthy adult humans, but the bite is painful and has many effects on the body, including paralysis and difficulty in breathing, and sometimes convulsions. As of now, there is no anti-venom dose available for its bite.
The species is commonly known as the Gila monster as they are found commonly around the Gila River basin. And because of its large size for a lizard and scaley appearance, and venomous nature, they were called monsters.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles including sand lizard facts, or Olive Ridley sea turtle.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our gila monster coloring pages.
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/gila-monster#
https://animalia.bio/gila-monster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gila_monster
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.