Gila Monster and Beaded Lizard

Abstract

Cope (Reticulate Gila monster) Family: Helodermatidae Physical Description: These large (25 -50 cm/ ∼ 10 -12 in.), stout creatures possess sharp claws on short, stout legs, and fl at, relatively large heads with blunt snouts and thick, black, forked tongues. The skin contains thick, beaded (bone -impregnated) scales on the dorsal surfaces that range in color from yellow and orange to pink and brown.