• Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas, USA
  • Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas, USA
  • Lincoln Children'S Zoo, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
  • Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Atlanta Zoo, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  • Atlanta Zoo, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  • Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas, USA
  • Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas, USA
  • Lincoln Children'S Zoo, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
  • Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Seattle, Washington, USA
  • Atlanta Zoo, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  • Atlanta Zoo, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Photo Ark

Gila Monster

Heloderma suspectum

Seattle, Washington, USA

Near Threatened

This species is never very abundant, but its abundance varies greatly. It is represented by well over 100 collection/observation sites that are well distributed throughout the range (e.g., see Campbell and Lamar 2004). The total adult population size is unknown but is probably at least several thousand; the species is fairly common in at least some parts of the range. Lowe et al. (1986) stated that Gila monsters are infrequently seen but not rare or uncommon in Arizona. In New Mexico, the species is commonly encountered in the Redrock Wildlife Area in Grant County and at Granite Gap in Hidalgo ... Read More

Populations have been exploited (illegally) by commercial and private collectors, and they have suffered from habitat destruction due to urbanization and agricultural development (New Mexico Department of Fish and Game 1985). Concrete-lined canals are barriers to movement (Brown and Carmony 1999), as are busy highways. Mortality on roads likely is increasing as traffic volume increases on established highways and new roads are built. The most important reason for the decline is habitat loss resulting from development (Campbell and Lamar 2004). It is probably decreasing in southern Sonora due to expanding commercial agriculture. Read More

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Hammerson, G.A., Frost, D.R. & Gadsden, H. 2007. Heloderma suspectum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2007: e.T9865A13022716. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T9865A13022716.en