Stats

Lifespan

20-30 yrs

Size

Medium

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Crepuscular

Social

Solitary

Biome

Desert

Range

North America

Movement

Walking

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Venom

Status

Near Threatened

About

This heavy lizard dwells in the rocky deserts of the southwestern United States. It delivers venom through grooved teeth while chewing on its prey to ensure the toxin enters.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling

   A miniature reptile emerges from its egg already independent.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile sheds and grows, often duller-colored than adults.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown with adult size and coloration.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Family

Helodermatidae

Genus

Heloderma

Species

Heloderma suspectum