Things every desert dweller should know about Gila monsters
With monsoon rains in Tucson, you may be seeing these desert lizards out and about (or event taking a dip in your pool!)
Information from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Arizona Game and Fish Department and Doug Kreutz Arizona Daily Star archives.
How big do they get?
You're not likely to overlook a Gila monster if one crosses your path.
These critters are on the chunky side, with big heads and thick tails.
Adults run 12 to 18 inches in length — but some reach, well, monstrous sizes.
If the size doesn't get your attention, the animal's colors might. Hues of pink and orange are set off against background shades of dark brown and black.
Where will you see them?
They are found throughout the Gila River Basin of central Arizona, areas of Utah, Nevada and eastern California, and in southwestern New Mexico, northwestern Mexico and of course, Southern Arizona.
These lizards spend as much as 98 percent of their time below ground in burrow complexes that they dig or borrow.
They usually surface in spring or summer, and on cloudy humid monsoon days. Gila monsters are most commonly found in mountain foothills dominated by saguaros and Palo Verde trees. They can also be found in washes and valleys.
They hibernate from the end of November through February.
What do they eat?
Gila monsters eat newborn rodents, rabbits and hares, ground nesting birds and lizards, and eggs from birds, snakes and tortoises.
A Gila monster may feed only a few times a year, but one good stuffing can last a whole year. Adults are capable of consuming 35 percent of their body weight in a single feeding.
Will it bite me?
Gila monsters are venomous lizards. Though the bite is rarely life-threatening to humans, it may cause pain, bleeding, nausea and vomiting.
But before biting, the lizard will hiss, gape and back away. Even if a person approaches a Gila monster, the animal typically gives a warning before biting.
Now and then someone is bitten. Usually it's a result of molesting or picking up a Gila monster, but a few people get bitten by inadvertently reaching under a rock or a porch where one of the lizards is taking shelter.
What to do if you are bitten
Gila monsters — unlike rattlesnakes, which strike quickly — hang onto their victims and "chew" venom into the wound.
The key is to pry the animal off as quickly as possible to stop the delivery of venom — and then get to a medical facility.
Did you know?
The Gila monster apparently was named for sightings near the Gila River - and because its appearance brought to mind a monster.
Now for the fun part — more photos!
This visitor to our place is well aware that he (she?) is the most handsome lizard in the Empire Mountains!
Southern Arizona Gila monsters
Our native monster seems to have a weakness for airports and backyard pools. This one was saved by the creepy-crawly.
Southern Arizona Gila monsters
Gila Monster being carried back to the wash.
Southern Arizona Gila monsters
A Gila Monster scurries off after being released Thursday, April 25th, 2002.
Southern Arizona Gila monsters
Chuck Ferrara took this photo of a Gila monster, a poisonous lizard, on the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail in Saguaro National Park-East in March 2015.
Southern Arizona Gila monsters
A Gila monster’s venom is not fatal to people and is used in medical research on diabetes and memory disorders.
Southern Arizona Gila monsters
Gila monster seen along a trail at Ventana Canyon.
Southern Arizona Gila monsters
Gila monsters, like this one spotted in the Catalina Foothills, are out of their burrows. The large lizards are venomous but usually not aggressive. Picking one up is illegal and dangerous.
ASU researchers bolstered their study that showed the critters hatch in the fall and stay put in the nest until spring when food is more readily available.
With warmer days upon us, rattlesnakes are coming out of hibernation to seek out some sunlight.
Need a break? Scroll through these adorable photos of baby animals.
Have some javelina photos to share? Upload them at tucson.com/readers or post them to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
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