[Animals] This is the Gila monster, the poisonous lizard that lives in northern Mexico

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Gila monster venom was the stuff of ancient myths. Today it is known that this substance can fight different diseases
The Gila monster is one of the animals that can be found, almost exclusively, in Mexico. It is a poisonous lizard that gets its name from the Gila River. His appearance caused, since ancient times, the Native Americans to formulate a series of myths regarding him. For example, they said that this being was capable of spitting poison and killing a human only with the power of his breath.

It is true that this animal is poisonous, however, the danger does not reach the level that was once believed. The Gila monster is one of only two species of saurians with this characteristic. Their venom is found in glands in the lower jaw and is passed to prey through double-groove teeth. And, despite the pain caused by the bite, the truth is that this substance is rarely lethal to humans. This is what we know about the species.

Gila monster, the slow predator of the desert
The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) belongs to the Helodermatidae family, a group that only lives in America. This lizard measures between 26 and 35 centimeters long, but it is possible to find some that exceed 50 centimeters. It is robust and has scales, mainly black, pink and orange. The tail is cylindrical, and large amounts of fat are housed in it. In addition, this animal has curved claws that are used to dig.

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The species is distributed from the southwestern United States to northwestern Mexico. The places where the Gila monster lives are, according to Naturalista, areas with rocky slopes in which it can easily blend in. This animal has burrows that serve as a refuge from the threat of predators. Its climate, mostly, corresponds to the desert.

Gila monsters are slow-moving animals. The species is characterized by having a short period of activity (May-October). Basically, throughout that time, the lizard reproduces and lays eggs. When the end of October arrives, their hibernation period begins.

As for reproduction, it occurs between May and June. Co[CENSORED]tion can last from 30 minutes to an hour, however, courtship can last up to 12 hours. The ritual involves the approach of the male to the female, while he begins to sniff her and slowly brush her with his chin. Gestation, on the other hand, takes two months. Once the female lays the eggs, they take 117 to 130 days to hatch.

A valuable poison
For its hibernation period, the Gila monster naturally requires significant fat reserves that allow it to survive during times of less activity. The poisonous lizard feeds mainly on small rodents and the eggs of birds and reptiles. It is also preyed upon by owls, foxes, rattlesnakes, and coyotes.

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Some human activities have caused the number of members of the species to decrease more and more. The Gila monster sees its habitat being transformed, little by little, by the constant alteration of the ecosystem. To this must be added the illegal trade in this animal. Such factors are what have led the species to be close to the danger of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Institute of Ecology (INECOL) considers that, in addition to protecting the species for its role in nature, there is another reason to prevent the extinction of the Gila monster. This reason would be the place that the venom of this animal has in the development of treatments for different diseases, such as Alzheimer's and diabetes.

https://www.ngenespanol.com/animales/monstruo-de-gila-el-lento-depredador-del-desierto-norteamericano/