Venomous Monster!
Gila (pronounced HE-la) Monsters are large, venomous lizards found in the harsh desert region of the American Southwest. They live in the lower areas along streams and washes where they can find water. They seek refuge from the heat under the shade of shrubs and in burrows they dig with thier sharp, curved claws. Small mammals, reptiles, and bird eggs are included in their diet. Fat is stored in their thick, stubby tails that they live off of when food is scarce. Their powerful jaws and venom can produce a seriously painful, although rarely fatal, bite to humans. When these rather shy reptiles encounter humans they prefer to escape rather than fight.
Nature Photography at Ripples of Time
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