There are lots of fun facts about the Gila monster (pronounced HEE-la). Did you know that?

• The Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, is a squat, slow-moving reptile and member of the Helodermatidae family of venomous lizards.
• Gila Monsters, named after the Gila River in Arizona, are native to northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States. They inhabit desert and semi-arid scrubland environments. They spend most of their time burrowed underground.
• The Gila monster is the largest lizard found in the United States. It can measure 2 feet or 61 cm in length and weigh up to 5 pounds or 2.3 kg.
• Gila monsters have a large head, bowed legs and short tail. They have small, bead-like scales called osteoderms. They have a black body with pink, orange or yellow bands.
• The Gila monster injects venom differently than a snake. The Gila monster injects venom through grooved lower teeth whilst it chews whereas snakes inject venom through hollow upper fangs when they bite.
• Gila Monsters are opportunistic carnivores. Their favorite food is bird and reptile eggs but they will also eat birds, mammals, frogs, and lizards.
• The Gila monster eats only a few times a year. It consumes all the food it requires in just 10 meals!
• Gila monsters are a threatened species due to habitat loss.