EXHIBIT 4.
RIO FUERTE BEADED LIZARD
Heloderma horridum exasperatum

The beaded lizard is one of only two venomous lizards in the world (the other is the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) from southwest USA and Sonora, Mexico). The common name comes from the bead-like nature of the scales.

Our specimens belong to the northern-most subspecies, the Rio Fuerte beaded lizard (H.h.exasperatum) from northwestern Mexico where it is known as "Escorpion" because of its venomous bite. However, although bites are incredibly painful, nobody has ever died of the bite from either species. Beaded lizards grow to 0.7-1.0m in length and feed on nestling birds, young mice, and eggs.

Western Mexico (Sonora and Sinaloa).

click on the images to enlarge them

Habitat: Dry deciduous woodland & dried arroyas (river beds)

Beaded lizards can climb trees in search of prey
Beaded lizards have forked tongues like snakes	Beaded lizard skull - unlike in snakes, the venom glands and fangs are located in the lower jaws

Other Zones