Phoenix north, AZ, April 2015

The only one we saw. A very fast flyer, there was no chance to photograph it naturally.

Field notes and information

ARIZONA April 2015: We found just on specimen during our stay. Luckily, I managed to catch it which enabled us to identify it and take this picture. On opening the box, it flew off like a bullet and we didn't seen another one anywhere. It only just reaches the US in the SW along the Mexican border so it was a little surprising to find it well north of Phoenix. It is much more widespread in eastern USA.

The Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum, Tucson north, AZ, April 2015

It is one of the world's very few venemous lizards. Like the skipper, this was the only one we saw. By Peter Rowlings.