The Gila monster is a venomous lizard from the southern United States and northern Mexico. It is a passive, slow-moving lizard that spends 98% of its life underground, in burrows it digs itself. It reaches a size of just over half a meter. It is carnivorous and feeds on a wide range of prey, from rabbit young to other lizards and even snakes.

It is a threatened and currently protected species, which has seen its populations decline in recent years mainly due to urban development, agriculture, and roads.

As a main characteristic, apart from the peculiarity of being venomous, its short and thick tail where it stores fat like a camel’s hump is singular, allowing it to survive in times of food scarcity.