MEET A GILA MONSTER AS IT TAKES A VIOLENT VENOMOUS BITE
A GILA MONSTER EXITS ITS DESERT BURROW IT PICKS UP THE SCENT OF A DEAD MOUSE AND DIGS IN MID FEAST A RANCHER ON HORSEBACK CROSSES THE GILA S PATH HE IS AWED BY THE REPTILE AND TRIES TO CAPTURE IT THE GILA BACKS AWAY HISSING BUT IT IS CAUGHT AND STRAPPED TO THE MAN S SADDLE LATER THE RANCHER REACHES BEHIND HIM TO ADJUST HIS SADDLE CHOMP THE GILA CLAMPS ONTO HIS FINGER VENOM SURGES THROUGH THE MAN S BODY LIKE WILDFIRE HE SURVIVES BUT THE VENOMOUS GILA WILL BE INVESTIGATED FOR CENTURIES
CREATURE FEATURE NAME Gila monster CLASS Reptilia SIZE 20 to 24 inches 51 to 61 cm WEIGHT 4 to 5 pounds 1 8 to 2 3 kg COLORATION Black with orange pink or yellow stripes LIFE SPAN 20 to 30 years MONSTROUS CHARACTERISTICS Strong venomous bite Long lasting aerobic endurance Few natural predators Grooved teeth Lives underground
UNITED STATES Gila Monster Range MAP KEY MEXICO Range Southwestern United States and Mexico Diet Carrion small birds Gambel's quail eggs small mammals frogs other lizards FUN FACT A Gila monster can gulp down an entire Gambel's quail egg without crushing its shell
