Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum)

Short answers

Gila monster: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×80 cm for one animal.

Gila monster: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C (basking spot), at night 18–22 °C.

Gila monster: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; crepuscular and burrowing).

Gila monster: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–35 years.

Gila monster: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

40–60 % (with a humid floor zone or hide)

UVB

UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; crepuscular and burrowing)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×80 cm for one animal

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in (about 10 cm), stone slabs, cork tubes and damp soil areas for burrowing

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous: rodents (mice), day-old chicks, quail and other bird eggs, occasionally insects

Feeding interval

adults sparingly, approx. 1×/week or every 3–7 days (avoid obesity)

Key facts

Adult size

35–55 cm total length, up to ~1.5 kg

Life expectancy

20–35 years

Origin

The south-western USA (Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico) and north-western Mexico (Sonora); desert and dry scrub

Protection status

VENOMOUS. CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – a commercial-use permit and proof of origin are needed. Keeping venomous animals: several German states require notification, a permit and proof of expertise

Brumation

Brumation is essential: about 2–3 months at 12–18 °C (darker and cooler), November to March, with acclimatisation – important for health and breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the standard. 1.1 (a pair) only for experienced keepers in a large enclosure and under supervision; separate them for brumation. NEVER keep males together (ritualised fights in the mating season); female-on-female aggression is documented too

Notes

A venomous lizard – bite injuries are very painful (handle only with experience and protection, and an emergency plan). It runs strongly to obesity – feed deliberately sparingly. It burrows and digs a lot. Not for beginners.

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Related species

• Chiapan beaded lizard (Heloderma alvarezi) – Expert
• Guatemalan beaded lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti) – Expert
• Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) – Expert
• Rio Fuerte beaded lizard (Heloderma exasperatum) – Expert
• Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei) – Expert
• Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi) – Expert
• Aran rock lizard (Iberolacerta aranica) – Expert
• Aurelio's rock lizard (Iberolacerta aurelioi) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×80 cm for one animal), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in (about 10 cm), stone slabs, cork tubes and damp soil areas for burrowing), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.