I am here to introduce you to the Banded Gila Monster, one of the only two venomous types of lizard in the world! In fact, it is the only venomous lizard in the United States. This gila monster lives in the Sonoran desert, which has rocky areas and that is where it prefers to live. This lizard eats both small and large reptiles, bird eggs, and young rodents! It only eats 3 to 4 meals a day because it can store fat. The Banded Gila Monster is either pink, orange, or red with four or five black bands around its body. The banded gila monster usually mates in July and lays its eggs a few weeks later. The banded gila monster is especially awesome because it can camouflage itself to hide from danger, but it also has its bright colors to warn predators that it is dangerous! After you have learned everything about the banded gila monster, take the quiz and do the super fun activity that is provided for you! WHO AM I?
Hello! I am the Banded Gila Monster! I come from the Heloderma genus category and the suspectum cinetum species category. I am one of only two venomous types of lizard in the world. I am the only venomous lizard native to the United States. 
WHERE DO I LIVE?
I live in the southwest corner of Utah through extreme southern Nevada well into eastern Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in California. I have also been located in many southern states including Arizona into extreme southwestern New Mexico and south into Sonora, Mexico. I, like most lizards, prefer rocky areas in the desert or semi-desert grassland.WHAT DO I EAT? I eat large reptiles and small reptiles, bird eggs, young rodents, baby birds, rabbits and hares. I can eat large amounts of food at one time and I can store fat in my tail and body. Because I am able to store fat, I am able to survive on 3-4 meals a day.
HOW DO I LOOK? I am pink, orange, and red with four or five black bands around its body. My colors are used to send out warnings to predators stating I am venomous. I can grow up to two feet long long and weigh up to three pounds. I have a big head, fat body, with a thick, short tail. I have a tongue that is forked similar to a snake. I am the largest lizard native to the United States.
 HOW DO I REPRODUCE?
I usually mate in July and lays my eggs a few weeks later. I can lay 3 to 15 eggs in a hole and cover them with sand. My eggs typically hatch in 28-30 days.FUN FACTS ABOUT ME! Fun fact about me, I can be camouflaged with my surroundings, but my bright colors warn predators that danger is near. I am very shy, but I can strike back very quickly. I have amazing hearing and vision, which allows me to hide and avoid danger. NOW LET'S HAVE SOME FUN: Kindergarteners: Use the Internet to find a cool picture of me. Print the picture, cut it out, and glue it into your journal. Below the picture, write your favorite thing you learned about me! 1st and 2nd graders: Use the Internet to find a cool picture of me. Print the picture, cut it out, and glue in into your journal. Below the picture, write 2-3 sentences about me! 3rd graders: Use the Internet to find a picture of me. Print the picture, cut it out, and glue it into your journal. Below the picture write a one-paragraph, fictional story about me! YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ME BELOW: Blue Planet Biomes California Herps - A guide to the amphibians and reptiles of California |