Are there Gila monsters in California?
Short answer
Rare records only6 open records, latest from 1962
Only as rare records. GBIF holds 6 open records of the Gila monster from California, the latest from 1962, but there is no known population.
Where the records come from
- None
- 1 to 2 records
- 3 to 9
- 10 to 49
- 50 or more
Gila monsters across the US
- Lives here
- Rare records
- Gone
- Not here
How to recognize one
Gila monster Heloderma suspectum
- Heavy lizard with bead-like scales
- Black with pink, orange or yellow blotches or bands
- Short fat tail that stores fat
Medically significant. Bites are rare, painful and happen almost only when people handle the lizard. Protected by Arizona law.
Questions
Are there Gila monsters in California?
Only as rare records. GBIF holds 6 open records of the Gila monster from California, the latest from 1962, but there is no known population.
Where are the nearest Gila monsters to California?
In Arizona and Nevada.
What do Gila monsters look like?
Heavy lizard with bead-like scales. Black with pink, orange or yellow blotches or bands. Short fat tail that stores fat.