Gila Monster: All About World's Deadliest Lizard

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The Gila monster is a venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico

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Gila monsters are large, slow-moving reptiles with orange, pink, and black colouring

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They have bead-like scales, thick forked tongues, and snort hisses. They can grow up to 2 feet long and weigh around 2 kg

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They live in semi-arid rocky regions, near washes and arroyos, and can live at elevations up to 5,000 feet

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The Gila monster's venom is about as toxic as that of a western diamondback rattlesnake

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The venom is located in the lower jaw, with ducts leading to openings near the base of the grooved teeth

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When the Gila monster opens and closes its mouth, venom is discharged into its saliva and travels along the teeth into the victim

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Gila monsters use their venom for defense, not to subdue prey

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