FINDING NATURE'S TREASURES 
87 
“Yes, and the better you know them the more you will 
like them," said Uncle Jack. “There are many kinds of 
lizards in the United States, but there is only one that 
is poisonous. That is a big ugly one that lives in New 
Mexico and Arizona. It is called the Gila Monster. Some 
lizards live on the ground and hide under rocks like this 
one we just saw. Others live in the trees and can climb 
as well as squirrels." 
“Did you ever have one for a pet, Uncle Jack?" asked 
Buddy. 
“Oh, yes, I have had several. Most of them became 
so tame that they never tried to bite. They ate flies, 
beetles, and grasshoppers from my fingers." 
“Do they live to be very old?" Marylee asked. 
“I have a friend that has had one for seven years," 
Uncle Jack replied. “She keeps it in her house. She 
feeds it insects in the summer. When insects are scarce 
during the winter, she feeds it a bit of egg from a medi¬ 
cine dropper." 
“I wish I could have one for a pet," said Marylee. 
“You may have one when you are a little older," said 
Uncle Jack. 
