Reticulate Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum suspectum Cope, 1896. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area (AZ-10), Tucson, Arizona. Coronado National Forest (Santa Catalina Ranger District); Santa Catalina Mountains. ©2012 David L. Govoni. All rights reserved.
adult crossing trail after a rain storm on previous day.
Gila monster found climbing over the wall to get into a planter with eggs inside.
Heloderma, the only genus of the family Helodermatidae, consists of venomous lizards native to the southwestern United States, Mexico and as far south as Guatemala. It includes two separate species, with six subspecies. Their closest living relatives are the anguid lizards.