The Beaded Lizards 



was bestowed. At the time of writing the specimens have been 

 over four years in captivity and share a cage with a number of 

 colubrine snakes, over which they walk or are crawled upon 

 by the serpents amid a display of good nature on either side. 



As is the case with the majority of reptiles, the effects of 

 outdoor air and unadulterated sunshine exercise a peculiar 

 influence over the Gila Monster. Tame and docile specimens 

 may be taken from an indoor cage and placed on a sandbank, 

 well heated by a summer sun, when a quick mental change is 

 noted. Within a few minutes they are actively nosing about, or 

 digging burrows and when disturbed flash into a state of vicious- 

 ness equalling that of perfectly wild specimens. This demeanour 

 soon vanishes when the reptile is again placed indoors, although 

 the temperature of the cage may fully equal that of the sandbank. 



In its progression, the Gila Monster is rather slow and me- 

 thodical. The body is not raised from the ground, but rather 

 dragged along by the stout limbs. The actions are, however, 

 by no means clumsy, and when annoyed but not inclined to 

 fight, it moves with some show of agility, though no actual 

 speed. During its progress the forked tongue is frequently em- 

 ployed to examine the ground over which the creature crawls. 



Like other lizards, the skin of this species is shed in patches, 

 although these are often large. Sometimes the skin of the en- 

 tire under surface, and a great part of that of the back, strips 

 off in one section, while that covering the limbs, head and tail 

 is shed a day or so later. 



The food of this species while in a wild state, is not definitely 

 known. Many speculations have been advanced as to its char- 

 acter. Some allege that the natural food consists of ants; others 

 assert that these reptiles feed only upon the eggs of birds and 

 reptiles. Certain it is that in captivity the Gila Monster shows 

 a decided liking for the eggs of fowls and reptiles and likewise 

 decided indifference for insects and their larvae. It is an inter- 

 esting spectacle to see a number of captive specimens grouped 

 about a pan containing beaten eggs, greedily lapping the con- 

 tents with their long, flat tongues, then raising their heads to 

 permit the fluid to run down their throats. Chopped meat 

 may be mixed with the eggs, forming a wholesome combination 

 on which the reptiles thrive. They will consume the crumbled 

 pieces of hard-toiled eggs. If given an egg entire, they break 



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