monster monster species native southwestern united_states northwestern mexican state heavy slow moving long monster native united_states known species north_america close relative mexican monster sluggish nature means represents little threat humans earned reputation killed despite protected state law arizona description taxonomy etymology species largest extant native north_america north mexican border non natives like green larger snout vent length tail body size largest specimens reach total length body mass typically range males having found average reportedly heaviest largest specimens weigh monster close living relative extinct relatives evolutionary history traced cretaceous period genus existed lived fragments monster found late pleistocene years ago deposits near las_vegas nevada remained relatively unchanged occasionally regarded living fossils monster appears closely related monitor africa asia australia wide geographical separation unique features found indicate monster better placed separate family refers states new_mexico arizona monster plentiful means skin ancient greek words head nail stud skin comes suspected grooves teeth distribution habitats monster found mexico range including arizona parts california nevada utah new_mexico potentially including baja california inhabit desert oak woodland seeking shelter rocks locations ready access moisture fact monsters like water observed water summer rain avoid living open areas flats farmland ecology monsters spend time underground rocky shelters active morning dry season spring early summer later summer active warm nights thunderstorm maintain surface body temperature monsters slow ability relatively high endurance capacity max preyed diet monster eats small birds mammals frogs insects monster feeds primarily bird eggs eats times year wild feed eat body mass uses extremely acute sense smell locate prey especially eggs sense smell keen locate dig chicken eggs buried deep accurately follow trail rolling egg prey crushed death large eaten alive small head helped muscular neck unusually food monster immediately resumes tongue search behavior probably result history finding prey eggs young nests monsters able climb trees search eggs venom pioneer beliefs pioneers believed number myths monster including foul toxic breath bite fatal arizona wrote monster local person caught monster baby probably largest specimen captured arizona inches long weighs caught road purchased exhibition door eastern people seen monsters fail inspect accidentally fine day badly frightened know southeast owner captured thought killed monster tied saddle bit middle finger right hand wouldn let ranch hand open mouth cut open finger stimulate bleeding tied saddle strings finger wrist summoned took treatment experienced swollen bleeding throat afterward friend research actual effects monster venom reported breath odor detected little distance supposed way monster catches insects small animals form food supply foul gas overcoming offered pay local residents monster specimens bought collected provoked captive biting finger bite ill spent days bed completely recovered ran ill founded report ability kill people wrote reply described studies personal experience wrote knew people monsters died bite published articles monster bites delivery monster produces venom modified lower jaw unlike snakes venom produced upper jaw monster lacks forcibly venom instead venom propelled tooth action brings venom tooth victim teeth loosely anchored allows broken replaced life monsters observed flip biting victim presumably aid flow venom wound monster prey consists mainly eggs small animals helpless prey monster venom thought evolved defensive hunting use defensive use explain monster bright warning coloration venom toxic coral snake produces small amounts monster bite fatal healthy adult humans reports fatalities confirmed recorded prior year possibly resulting attempts treat bite monster bite quickly especially swinging head sideways hold victim need fully attacking water break free bite symptoms bite include pain weakness associated rapid drop blood pressure dozen substances isolated monster venom including like responsible pain caused bite potentially lethal isolated monster venom including venom causes internal organs eyes causes partial limbs rats similar form smooth muscle water small large able different human tissues shown growth lung cancer constituents venom received attention researchers including formed basis class treatment type diabetes known like product class reach market launched drug research approved drug marketed management type diabetes synthetic version protein derived monster year study people type diabetes led healthy sustained levels progressive weight loss effectiveness protein identical like analog released human digestive tract helps regulate protein remains effective longer human helping blood sugar levels control stomach causes decrease appetite contributing weight loss monster contains chemicals deadly shown affect memory companies researching abilities chemical help memory loss diseases disease derived shown dramatically memory study mice likely researched provide help patients life history monster emerges january february mates june male courtship tongue search female scent female rejects advances bite crawl away successful observed minutes long half hours female lays eggs july august burying sand surface clutch consists eggs average lasts months emerge april june following year long bite venom hatching juveniles typically larger bands pink scales adults banded monster tendency retain band pattern sexually matures years old egg laying adult monsters gradually spend time surface avoid hottest summer active evening eventually starting november little known social behavior observed engaging male male combat dominant male lies subordinate hind limbs arch bodies pushing twisting effort gain dominant position wrestling match ends pressure exerted forces separate bouts repeated bouts typically observed mating season greater strength endurance thought win enjoy greater reproductive success monster low lowest sprint speeds highest scope values increase oxygen consumption rest maximum allowing engage intense activity sustained period time males observed higher females presumably sexual selection trait prolonged combat monster live years wild captivity conservation status urban habitat destruction adversely affected monster numbers animal given legal protection monsters listed iucn zoo successfully breed monsters captivity relationship humans monster movement means poses little threat humans earned reputation killed humans fear native american tribes monster mixed standing believed breath kill man believed possessed spiritual power cause sickness contrast believed monster hide healing properties monster starred monster movie titular monster actually portrayed mexican played minor role motion picture treasure sierra myths animal include animal breath toxic kill humans spit venom leap feet air attack myth held monster expelled waste mouth source venom breath official mascot located arizona gun cowboy hat wearing monster similar character old western outlaw seen animated film called character voiced gallery
Gila monster