Gila Monster

It’s rare to encounter a Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) — the reptiles spend most of their time underground — but exploring the desert early in the morning or shortly after dark might increase your chances. One of only two venomous lizards in North America (the other is the Mexican bearded lizard), Gila monsters are characterized by their bead-like scales, rounded bodies and short tails, as well as their heft: The lizards can grow to 22 inches long and weigh more than a pound. They’re carnivores, too, and thrive on a diet of young rabbits, packrats, small lizards, snakes and bird eggs.