The Beaded Lizards 



Pale yellow and black 

 Head entirely black. 



MEXICAN BEADED LIZARD, H. horridum. 



Detailed descriptions are given herewith: 



THE GILA MONSTER* 

 Heloderma suspedum, (Cope) 



Form and surface unlike other lizards; in place of scales, 

 the body is covered with bead-like tubercles or points. Body 

 stout, with short, stubby limbs. Tail short and thick — rounded. 



Colouration. — Very variable as to pattern. The head and 

 body are marbled with black and a pale hue, which may be salmon 

 pink, flesh-colour, pinkish, white, or pale yellow. With some 

 specimens the pale hue predominates — with others, the black. 

 The top of the head generally shows considerable of the pinkish 

 or yellowish markings. 



Beneath, the colouration is much the same as above. 



Dimensions. — The largest specimen of the Gila Monster 

 that the writer has jjad the opportunity to examine, showed a 

 total length of twenty-four inches, which is considerably over 

 the average — this being given in the table of measurements: 



Total Length 19 inches. 



Width of Body 3! 



Length of Tail 6 



Diameter of Tail i ^ 



Width of Head 2\ 



Length of Head 2^ 



Distribution. — Desert regions of southern Arizona and 

 New Mexico — the valleys of the Gila River and its tributaries. 

 A few specimens have been taken in extreme northern Mexico. 



Habits of the Gila Monster 



In a wild state this creature is vicious and not nearly so 

 sluggish in actions as is generally believed. It will turn and 

 snap with the agility of an angry dog. In captivity, where it 

 thrives and soon becomes accustomed to its surroundings, this 

 lizard becomes the most docile of creatures and will permit itself 



* Pronounced "Heela Monster." 



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