Gila+Monster-Monica+Mendoza

=__Gila Monster (Heloderma Suspectum)__=



Natural Habitat/Location:
The gila monster can be found in the Southern United States.They range in the states of Arizona,New Mexico,Nevada,and Utah but are commonly found in Northern Mexico. Housing:Gila Monsters are commonly found in deserts that have the ability to grow scattered cacti,shrubs,and grasses.Also in areas with rocky slopes and canyon bottoms with streams.

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Niche:
Gila Monsters interact in there housing areas called burrows with many different animals. These animals include: snakes,turtles, and other lizards.Many times they sleep in the same burrows. They spend most of the year undercover, away from the sun and predators. It spends 98% of it's year hiding under shelter(rarely found during winter). They are only out when hungry or playing predator role.

Diet:Eat eggs out of other vertebrates nests,rodents,baby birds,frogs,lizards,and other small mammals including squirrels and rabbits(sometimes whole!!).Doesn't drink any water therefore,it's food must provide all it's nutrients.They don't feast very frequently,they eat 35% their body weight.They store fat in their tails.

Reproduction:Exit hibernation stage,not just to find food but also to find mating partner.They are above groung for 3 months.They mate and eat enough to last rest of year. The females usually wait until the male finds her.Although females usually mate in May,they don't usually lay their eggs until late summer.They dig holes and lay 2-12 eggs.The eggs are buried in the ground so that the sun can incubate them.Eggs do not hatch until the next summer. Baby Gila Monster:Hatch at a length between 4-6 inches.They are born with venom and sharp teeth.They start their life on their own without the experience or training of their parents.Like the adults their sex is extremely hard to determine so it is usually determined by behaviors like battling or laying eggs. Size:14-18 inches and 1-3 lbs at maturity,life span of 20-30 years.



Defense Mechanisms:Many species do not use the Gila Monster as a food source. They have bony osteoderms(scales) all over body to protect them from many sharp teethed predators.They are venemous.They can paralyze or even kill attacking predators.They are immune to venom,which is why rattlesnakes have little effect on them.Gila Monsters do not use venom to catch food, but usually just for defense.The intention is not to kill but instead scare the enemy.Although extremely painful and capable of causing symptoms like vomiting,weakness,and fever,Gila Monster bites are generally not thought to be fatal.The wound from a bite should be thoroughly washed and checked for broken off teeth,and anyone bitten should make sure that he or she has had a tetanus shot.

Why is this animal endangered? and Conservation efforts:
The Gila monster is not an endangered species but may become endangered.They are listed as near-threatened species. The Gila Monster may become endangered due to people taking them as pets or killing them for their skin(they are one of the most commercially valuable reptile species in North America) or because people believe they are dangerous and present a hazard to the public.Also their populations are slowly declining due to habitat loss(habitat destruction due to overgrazing,truck farming,new roads,houses,etc.) and deaths on roadways.The rate of decline is unknown(probably less than 30% over the past three generations).Collection of Gila Monsters is prohibited by laws and regulations throughout the range in the U.S. and Mexico.In 1952,the Gila Monster became the first venemous animal in North America to be given legal protection.They are protected by state law in Utah,Arizona,California,and Nevada.They have been protected by Arizona State Law,as the subspecies,Heloderma suspectum,and is listed under the Natural Heritage Arizona State Rank "S3" ("S3"="Uncommon or Restricted").

**Random Facts:**
Gila Monsters are nearly impossible to drown! Even 12 hours under water may not kill them. A version of a protein found in Gila saliva is used as treatment for type 2 diabetes in humans.It is commonly known as "lizard spit". The Gila is the largest lizard in the U.S. It's relative, the Komodo Dragon is the largest lizard in the world, which have a length over 10 feet. Heloderma in Latin means"studded skin" and suspectum was given because the founder,Cope,suspected that the lizard was venemous. The Gila Monster is hard to find in the desert because it's color allows the Gila Monster to blend in with rocks and sand.It also has black eyes that help it blend in with its body as a protection for predators.