Here's the third and last of my desert scenes featuring my gila monster from Lizards of the World v2. About gila monsters... This species is the largest extant lizard in the United States, measuring 51-56 cm (20-22 in) in total length. Its weight is typically in the range of 350-700 g (0.77-1.54 lb) with the largest specimens weighing as much as 2,300 g (5.1 lb). It is the only venomous lizard native to the United States and one of only two known species of venomous lizards in North America. The venom is similar to that of a coral snake, but is delivered in a much smaller dose, so it is rarely fatal to healthy adult humans. The Gila monster can bite quickly (especially by swinging its head sideways) and hold on with a vise-like grip. Symptoms of the bite include excruciating pain, edema, and weakness associated with a rapid drop in blood pressure. It is found in the Southwestern United States and Mexico, a range including Sonora, Arizona, parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico (potentially including Baja California). They inhabit scrub-land, succulent desert, and oak woodland, seeking shelter in burrows, thickets, and under rocks in locations with ready access to moisture. They avoid living in open areas such as flats and farmland. Gila monsters spend 90% of their time underground in burrows or rocky shelters. The Gila monster emerges from hibernation in January or February and mates in May and June. The Gila monster eats small birds, mammals, frogs, lizards, insects, and carrion. It feeds primarily on bird and reptile eggs, and eats infrequently, five to ten times a year in the wild. When it does feed, it may eat up to one-third of its body mass. It uses its extremely acute sense of smell to locate prey, especially eggs. Habitat destruction has adversely affected Gila monster numbers. In 1952, they became the first venomous animal to be given legal protection. Why should such a venomous creature be protected? The saliva of the Gila Monster has produced many medical breakthroughs... a synthetic version of a protein, exendin-4, derived from the Gila monster's saliva is used to control Type 2 Diabetes. Several companies have been researching the abilities of this chemical to help memory loss due to various diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and ADHD. Gilatide, derived from exendin-4, has been shown to dramatically heighten memory in a study with mice.