Gila Monster

                          GILA MONSTER 

SCIENTIFIC NAME :-     Helederma suspectrum

OCCURRENCE :-            Mexico,Arizona,S.Utah

HABITAT :-                   Arid and semi arid regions

SIZE :-                          Length 45 to 61 cm

FAMILY :-                     Helodermatidae

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS :-

1. It is a heavy-bodied , nocturnal , gaudily patterned lizard with colored bead-like scales on its back.
2. The stout tail is a reservoir of stored fat which is used up whenthere is scarcity of food.
3. It has a well developed limbs and forked tongue which can be flicked in and out of the mouth.
4. It is venomous lizard with poison glands in the lower jaw from where the poison enters the mouth via grooved teeth at the front of the lower jaw.
5. It feeds on small reptiles and eggs of birds.
6. Mating takes place in summer.
7. The female lays a clutch of 3-5 eggs.