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The Gila monster is the largest extant lizard species native to North America north of the Mexican border. Its snout-to-vent length ranges from 26 to 36 cm (10 to 14 in). The tail is about 20% of the body size, and the largest specimens may reach 51 to 56 cm (20 to 22 in) in total length.
The colorful Gila monster is threatened by increasingly hot and dry weather. Although celebrated as one of Arizona’s most recognized animals, Gila monsters are physiologically ill adapted for...
During cooler months of the year in Arizona (from end of October to beginning of March), Gila monsters don’t do a lot. They “overwinter” in their burrows. Overwintering isn’t exactly like hibernating as they don’t really enter a deep sleep, but it does mean they are inactive most of the time.
See all videos for this article. During warm weather the Gila monster feeds at night on small mammals, birds, and eggs. Fat stored in the tail and abdomen at this time is utilized during the winter months. Both species of Heloderma are slow, methodical predators.
Habits and Lifestyle. Gila monsters spend 90% of their time underground in burrows or rocky shelters. They are active in the morning during the dry season (spring and early summer); later in the summer, they may be active on warm nights or after a thunderstorm.
Gila monsters are desert dwellers, living near washes and arroyos and in semiarid rocky regions of desert scrub or grasslands. Gila monsters also seem to prefer rocky foothills and avoid open flats and agricultural areas.
The Gila Monster’s venom is extremely potent, although it is generally not aggressive and poses little threat to humans unless provoked. This lizard is primarily nocturnal, spending the day in burrows or rocky shelters to escape the heat.
Natural History. Gila monsters are primarily active during the day in early morning or late afternoon, although they can occasionally be found shortly after dark, particularly during the hottest weather.
Gila Monsters are venomous. They inflict a nerve toxin (venom) into prey and potential predators with a strong chewing action. This lizard is mostly nocturnal, feeding on small mammals, birds and eggs during the nighttime.
Gila monster behavior changes throughout the year depending on temperature and day length. To simulate these changes, their habitat replicates these seasonal changes in daylight hours. In addition, since they are nocturnal, it is nighttime in their habitat when we are open and daytime at night.