Gila Monster

Description:

The famed gila monster. This specimen is at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Gila monsters have a fearsome reputation due to them being the only venomous lizard in the United States. This means they are sometimes killed despite their docile, sluggish natures and being protected by Arizona State Law. They are not prone to bite, but their venom is a nuerotoxin comparible to coral snake venom, fortunately they only produce small amounts and a bite isn't fatal to an adult human. Extremely painful, yes but you won't die.

Habitat:

Native to the Southwestern US and Mexico.