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Scientific Name
Heloderma suspectum
Scientific Name w/ Auth.
Heloderma suspectum Cope, 1869
Park
Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA)
Sensitive
No
Park Accepted
Accepted
Record Status
Approved
Park Preferred Common Names
Park Synonyms
Taxonomic Hierarchy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Infrakingdom | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Suborder | Autarchoglossa |
| Family | Helodermatidae |
| Genus | Heloderma |
| Species | Heloderma suspectum |
Occurrence
Present
Occurrence Notes
Data Source: Persons and Nowak 2005
Gila monsters are one of only 2 venomous lizards in the world. It is believed that they use their venomous saliva for defense, rather than hunting. Gila monster venom is not fatal to healthy humans, but a bite can be very painful. Do not handle these unique reptiles.
Nativeness
Native
Nativeness Notes
Data Source: Persons and Nowak 2005
Abundance
Rare
Abundance Notes
Data Source: Persons and Nowak 2005
Seasonality Tags
-
Breeder
Data Source: Persons and Nowak 2005
Geographic Regions Tags
-
Park Wide
Gila monsters are found in northern Mexico and the southwest United States. They live in deserts and arid scrublands, and prefer rocky areas where they can navigate between rocks without being seen. Gila monsters are found in the desert areas at the far western edge of Grand Canyon National Park.
Life Zone Tags
- Lower Sonoran
Threatened Endangered Status
State Species of Concern statuses
Ozone Sensitive Status
NatureServe GRank
NatureServe SRank
Observations
1
References
Vouchers
0
External Links
0
Evidence counts shown include evidence for related synonyms.
Created By
SLS - I&M Office
Created Date
7/24/2001 12:00:00 AM
Last Modified By
pholton@nps.gov
Last Modified Date
2/5/2019 2:15:43 PM
Notes
Park Species Data Source: Persons and Nowak 2005
B, Holton photograph: May 2012
Other Parks
Coronado National Memorial (CORO)
Fort Bowie National Historic Site (FOBO)
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE)
Montezuma Castle National Monument (MOCA)
Mojave National Preserve (MOJA)
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI)
Saguaro National Park (SAGU)
Tonto National Monument (TONT)
Zion National Park (ZION)
Fort Bowie National Historic Site (FOBO)
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE)
Montezuma Castle National Monument (MOCA)
Mojave National Preserve (MOJA)
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI)
Saguaro National Park (SAGU)
Tonto National Monument (TONT)
Zion National Park (ZION)
