Mexican beaded lizard

The Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) is a venomous lizard native to Mexico and Guatemala. It is related to the Gila monster and is characterized by its bumpy, black or brown skin with yellow or white spots or bands, a broad head, and a thick tail. These lizards typically weigh between 3 to 6 pounds (1.4 to 2.7 kg), with some males exceeding 8 pounds (3.6 kg).1

Like the Gila monster, beaded lizards are slow predators. They possess a strong bite, and venom seeps into the wound from glands in their lower jaw through grooved teeth. The venom is a nerve poison, though fatalities to humans are rare. These lizards store fat in their tails and abdomens, which they utilize during winter months.2