Banded Gila Monster
(Heloderma suspectum)
The largest and only venomous lizard in U.S. reaching 18-22 inches. Has big head, rounded body, and swollen tail. Each has unique beaded skin pattern of black with pink, orange, or yellow. Found in shrubby and grassy areas of deserts. Spends up to 98% of time underground in burrows of other animals and under rocks. Eats small mammals, reptiles and eggs of birds, lizards, snakes and tortoises. Fat for future energy stored in tail. Not dangerous unless handled. Bite is extremely painful but seldom fatal to humans. Dogs on the other hand would have a tough time surviving a Gila Monster bite.
If you are lucky enough to see a Gila monster in the wild, please let us know. They are extremely rare, so your sightings are really important to us. Here is an observation form you can easily fill out in just a few minutes and submit back to us or the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
