Hiking with Gila Monsters!

    Hiking in the Phoenix area can be an adventure for a number of reasons.  One of my favorite reasons is the opportunity to see the local wildlife firsthand.  I am always on the lookout for our little desert dwellers. But, the one I am still in search of is the elusive Gila Monster.  In all my years of hiking here in the Sonoran Desert, I’ve yet to spot one of these guys.

    Gila Monsters are only one of two venoumous lizards found in the world and is the largest native lizard in the United States.  The other venomous lizard is the Mexican Beaded Lizard found in the lower Sonoran Desert.  Not to be confused with the Chuckwalla, which it often is by visitors, the Gila Monster has hard, round, bead-like scales covering its face, legs and body and more often than not is pink and black in color (see photo below).  This lizard can reach over 1 1/2 feet in length!  That’s a big lizard and not one you want to mess with if you come across one.  The Gila Monster is a relatively slow moving animal and will not be overly aggressive unless threatened, say by someone who wants to pick it up!  The animal does not typically go out of its way to attack people.  But if you do decide to get too close it will bite and its bite is venomous. 

    No known deaths to humans have been recorded as a result of a Gila Monster bite, however, the bite is painful and may cause edema, bleeding, nausea and vomiting.  So best advice would be to take photos of it from a distance!If you or someone you know does get too close (while obviously harassing the animal) the lizard will bite in its own defense.  Unlike a rattlesnake bite, the Gila Monster transfers its venom through grooves found in its front teeth.  The venom is transferred to its victim as it chews with its front teeth.  Once the lizard latches on to you, it is very difficult to remove it.  However, contrary to popular myth, it will not clench onto you until it is dead nor does it need to be upside down to express its venom into the bite.  Another good reason to keep your distance from the Gila Monster is that it is protected by federal law. The Gila Monster was one of the first venonous animals in North America to be given legal protection and it is illegal to handle, collect, kill, or sell them in the U.S.

    Now that you know Gila Monsters do not conspire to hunt humans as prey, you may wonder about what it actually does eat.  Typically, these lizards will eat ground nesting bird eggs, baby rodents, rabbits, hares and small lizards.  A young lizard can eat up to 50% of its body weight at one meal, older lizards will consume approximately 35% of their body weight in one sitting.  They can also survive on about 4 -5 meals per year if necessary.  They spend about 95 % of their time in underground in their burrow, which is why it is such a treat to see one while hiking if you are so fortunate! 

    For those of us that would like to come across a Gila Monster during our desert adventures, the most likely time to do so would be during the Spring when they are most active.  They do, however, come out during all times of the year so you may be lucky enough to see one sunning itself outside its burrow on a sunny winter day as well.  You are also more likely to encounter this beautiful lizard in a rocky habitat on a bajada or hillside and in mountainous areas.  If you are fortunate enough to see one, send us a photo and let us know where you saw it! I’ve seen plenty of Gila Monsters in captivity, but I would love to see one in its native environment so let me know if you come across one!  Happy searching!  And remember, do not get too close, but take lots of photos!

    If you’d like to hike with us and search for a Gila Monster, just give us a call at 480-634-8488. We go out everyday, morning and evening during the summer and even if we don’t see a Gila Monster, we do get to see a lot of other great desert critters!

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