Heloderma suspectum cinctum

(Bogert & Martin del Campo, 1956)

Vernacular names
English : Gila monster
French : Monstre de Gila

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Helodermatidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 65 cm in length for a maximum weight of 2 kg. Stout body, wide head, short and fat tail. Sides of head black, top of head pink with black spots. Body with network of pink and black blotches forming bands.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in South Arizona, nearby New Mexico and Sinaloa state in Mexico. Species also found in California, north Arizona, Utah and Nevada. Lives in desert grasslands and thorn scrubs, rarely dry forests.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has been declining at a worrying pace in recent years, mostly because of habitat loss. Should be soon uplisted to Vulnerable.
Ex-Situ Programs : EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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