Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Helodermatidae.html" title="Facts and information about Helodermatidae">Helodermatidae</a>

Give this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon

Helodermatidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | Copyright

Helodermatidae (beaded lizards, venomous lizards; order Squamata, suborder Sauria) A family that comprises the only poisonous lizards. The venom glands are at the rear of the lower jaw (unlike those of snakes). The body is cylindrical, with powerful limbs, and a thick, rounded tail. The upper surface is covered with large, bony scales. Heloderma suspectum (gila monster) is a sluggish, nocturnal lizard, mainly pink and brown with black shading, up to 60 cm long, that burrows in sand and preys principally on small rodents; its bite is seldom fatal to humans. There are two species in the family, occurring from Nevada to Mexico.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Helodermatidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2010 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Helodermatidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2010). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Helodermatidae.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Helodermatidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2010 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Helodermatidae.html

Learn more about citation styles

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

	Helodermatidae Book article from: A Dictionary of Zoology Helodermatidae ( beaded lizards , venomous lizards ; order Squamata , suborder Sauria ) A family that comprises the only poisonous lizards. The...
	Heloderma suspectum Book article from: A Dictionary of Zoology Heloderma suspectum ( gila monster ) See HELODERMATIDAE .
	beaded lizard Book article from: A Dictionary of Zoology beaded lizard See HELODERMATIDAE .
	gila monster Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition ...and yellow lizard, found in W Mexico. These two species are the only known lizards whose venom is fatal. They are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Helodermatidae.
	venomous lizards Book article from: A Dictionary of Zoology venomous lizards See HELODERMATIDAE .