A Gila monster The Gila monster (/ ˈhiːlə / HEE-lə; Heloderma suspectum) is a species of venomous lizard native to the Southwestern United States and the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora. It is a heavy, slow-moving reptile, up to 22 in (56 cm) long, and it is the only venomous lizard native to the United States. Its venomous close relatives, the four beaded lizards (all former ...
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The Hummingbird Fire remains on the Gila National Forest in the Gila Wilderness. Resources remained on the fire overnight to hold and construct additional containment lines in Willow Creek subdivision. Today fire crews plan to secure spot fires from yesterday and provide structure protection to Willow Creek and Indian Creek.
The Banded Gila Monster, H.s cinctum, occurs in the western and northwestern parts of Arizona with adjacent isolated populations in Utah, Nevada and California. Gila Monsters occur in Sonoran desert scrub, Mojave desert scrub, desert grassland, and Mexican thorn scrub. They are often found in rocky canyons, buttes and mountains.
Arizona has many venomous bugs and critters, and the Gila monsters are among them. Here's where you can find them and what to do if you encounter one.
Can humans survive a Gila monster bite? What to know in Arizona
The Gila monster is one of only a few poisonous lizards in the world. The Gila (pronounced HEE-luh) is the largest lizard native to the United States. Their black bodies are covered in beadlike scales with bright spots, blotches, or bands of pink, orange, or yellow, which probably warn other animals to stay away. Their bulky bodies, slow-moving stride, thick forked tongue, and snorting hisses ...