© Shawn K. Heflick www.ArtByEvolution.com

Answer: The Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, is one of only two species of venomous lizards in the world. Its skin has the appearance of black, pink, orange and yellow beads, or studs, laid down in intricate patterns. These studs are small bony plates that are called osteoderms. Their name derives from the geographic area they inhabit around the Gila River Basin. Heloderma comes from the Greek words Helos — the head of a nail or stud — and derma, or skin. Thus…studded skin. The Gila monster injects venom into its victim through grooves in the teeth of its lower jaw. It is “injected” by the chewing action of the lizard when it bites. The Gila monster produces only small quantities of its neurotoxic venom, which is secreted into the lizard's saliva. The Gila monster's bite is normally not fatal to humans (zero confirmed reports of fatalities), but its bite is painful!