Gila Monster
Common Name:
Gila Monster
Scientific Name:
Heloderma suspectum
IUCN Status:
Near Threatened
Risks: Increasingly hot and dry weather due to climate change
Diet: Gila Monsters mainly eat eggs, small mammals, birds and insects.
Length: 26 - 36 cm not including their tail.
Weight: 550 - 800 grams
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Fun Facts
- Gila Monsters have bright colorful patterns on their skin usually in shades of orange, pink and black.
- Young Gila Monsters have been known to swallow prey up to 50% of their own body weight.
- Gila Monster venom is as toxic as a diamondback rattlesnake. They are one of the few venomous lizards in the world but they are very shy and prefer to avoid humans. They use their venom mainly to hunt small animals.
- A synthetic version of their venom is used to help treat type-2 diabetes in humans.
- Gila Monsters are not very fast. They move slowly and spend most of their time hiding under rocks or in burrows to stay cool.
- Their name comes from the Gila River Basin in Arizona where they were first discovered.
About Us
The Gila Monster habitat is located in the Affinity Learning Centre and home to two Gila Monsters. Check out the Gila's in their new habitat.