GILA MONSTER

One of only two venomous lizards found in North America, the Gila Monster makes it’s home in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Named for the Gila River basin where it was first discovered this beautiful reptile is easily recognized by bright orange, pink and black beady scales that form unique designs and cover it’s entire body.
The Gila Monster is carnivorous and feeds on small birds, frogs, lizards and other small rodents. They have an acute sense of smell, which enables them to locate hidden prey and find meals that are buried in the ground.
Reaching a length of up to two feet, the Gila Monster is slow moving and therefore presents little threat to humans. It’s venom has been compared to that of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake but the Gila Monster only produces small amounts of venom and lacks the hollow fangs used by rattlesnakes to inject their venom. Instead they use a grinding or chewing motion to force the venom into their prey and the bite of a Gila Monster is extremely painful.
Even though the Gila Monster spends 95% of it’s life underground, they are spotted occasionally basking in the early morning sun or lying in pools of water after a summer rainstorm.
The reptile is given protection by Arizona and Nevada State laws because of the decline in their numbers. If you are lucky enough to see a Gila Monster, take a few photos, appreciate the opportunity and leave it alone.

HARRIS HAWKS

HARRIS HAWK IN FLIGHT

HARRIS HAWK DURING A DEMONSTRATION AT THE DESERT MUSEUM

PAIR OF HARRIS HAWKS

The Harris Hawk is a social raptor that inhabits the southern portion of Arizona and New Mexico. These reddish-brown birds can grow up to 23 inches tall and have a wingspan of 47 inches. The female Harris Hawk is the larger and more dominant of the species and therefore controls the family group. If there are other females in the group they will be submissive to the alpha female but they too will dominate the males including the alpha male.
These beautiful birds of prey live in family groups of three or more and rely on each other while hunting. Two or more of the birds will take turns scouting until the prey is found and killed. The birds then share in the meal. Pack rats, gophers, rabbits are on the menu along with domestic pets such as cats and small dogs.
The nests of the hawks can sometimes be found on top telephone poles or in mesquite trees with two or more birds keeping watch over the eggs and protecting them from predators such as eagles or great horned owls.
Because of the easygoing nature of the birds when they interact with humans they are often used to rid cities of pigeons and help control the rodent population.