Poisonous Monsters...
27/06/2018
One of only two species of poisonous lizard, the Gila Monster (named after the Gila river, a tributary of the Colorado) is found in the deserts of the southern United States. It is slow moving and relies on its venom and striking colour pattern to deter predators. Four babies have just arrived at Hamerton Zoo Park from the USA. They are Utah Banded Gila Monsters (Heloderma suspectum cinctum), a distinct race from the north of the species range, where their numbers have been reduced to just a few hundred individuals. Distinct from the main species, these retain the dramatic bands of their bright pink and black baby colouration, into adulthood. Once our babies have settled in, we hope that two will be on show in our reptile area around the start of August.