希拉毒蜥 (Heloderma suspectum) 是原生于美国南部和墨西哥北部干燥地区的大型毒蜥。它们身上有呈环网状排列的橙黑鳞片，身长约 51 至 60 厘米，体重介于 350 至 700 克之间。希拉毒蜥会利用它们极为敏锐的嗅觉进行狩猎，时常可以看到它们收吐舌头来闻空气中的气味。希拉毒蜥当前被列为近危物种，人类常出于恐惧将其杀害，但其实它们的行动非常缓慢，很难对人类产生威胁。
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Heloderma suspectum
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false
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gila-monster
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Animal Facts
The Gila monster cannot inject venom like a snake. Instead, it administers venom by biting hard and chewing, aiming to put venom-laced saliva in the wound.
In the wild, the Gila monster only eats 5 to 10 times a year, and it spends the winter hibernating.
The Gila monster's venom is not deadly, but its bite is said to be one of the most painful.
A derivative of the Gila monster's venom is used in treating Type-2 diabetes.
Gila monster venom is being researched for potential uses in treating Alzheimer's disease.