Gila Monster
(Heloderma suspectum)

Found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, the Gila Monster is among the very few venomous lizards in the world! Unlike most venomous animals, its venom is delivered not through fangs but through grooved teeth as it chews — a slow but effective process! Interestingly, a compound derived from its venom has been used to develop treatments for type 2 diabetes (GLP-1 receptor agonists)!

 

You can also tell how healthy a Gila Monster is by its tail — the fatter the tail, the healthier the lizard, as that’s where they store their fat reserves. Their skin is also quite distinctive, covered in bead-like scales called osteoderms that give them an almost jeweled appearance and protection from both predators and the environment!