Today's blog is on the Banded Gila monster, This lizard can be found in the deserts of southwestern united states and northwestern mexico. Their habitat is mostly desert areas with dead trees and shrubs they also can be found on mountain slops. This lizard is one of the 2 venomous lizards in the world The other is the Mexican bearded lizard , They use this venom in defense rather than to subdue prey the venom is introduced through the lizards bottom jaw form venom glands in the lower jaw, Their the teeth on the bottom jaw are just as nasty they have groves that are designed to do damage the flesh of their victim. They are a threatened species and they have a chance of going extinct this is because of urban development and agriculture, Also the illegal capture of these animals and they are sold on the black market as pets. 
This lizard lays from 3 to 12 eggs during the late spring in their shallow nests dug into the ground, If you find a nest do not disturb it and know that the mother or father are near by watching ready to attack if they see you as a threat to the nest.
This lizard can grow up to be 20 inches long and weigh up to 5 to 10 pounds.
They can be identified by the pink and black bands on their tail.
Fun Facts
-The Gila monster is immune to it's own venom
-Gila monsters can live up to 20 years
-The Gila monster is named after the Gila Basin in Arizona
10 lbs of lizard is a lot of lizard
ReplyDeleteDo you die if you get bitten?
ReplyDeleteyes if not treated
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