Mexican Beaded Lizard
ExploreReptiles
Mexican Beaded Lizard
Heloderma horridum
The Mexican Beaded Lizard is a unique lizard with a beaded texture on its skin. They are very shy and like to hide from people!
Habitat: Dry forests and scrublands
Appearance
The Mexican Beaded Lizard is a large, stocky reptile with a distinctive pattern of black or dark brown scales contrasted with bright yellow, orange, or pink bands and spots. Its skin has a bumpy, beaded texture due to small bony plates called osteoderms, making it visually unique among lizards.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyHelodermatidaeGenusHeloderma
Category
ReptilesRarity
Rare
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It is one of only two venomous lizard species in the whole world!
Their 'beaded' skin is actually tiny bones called osteoderms!
They spend up to 95% of their lives hidden underground or in burrows!
This lizard stores food in its tail, like a desert camel!
Special abilities
Ability
Venomous Bite
The Mexican Beaded Lizard can deliver a powerful, venomous bite because it has venom glands in its lower jaw that help it subdue prey.
Ability
Tail Food Storage
Mexican Beaded Lizards have a thick tail that helps them store extra fat, allowing them to survive long periods without food or water.
Ability
Powerful Burrower
The Mexican Beaded Lizard has strong claws and a sturdy body that helps them dig extensive burrows for shelter and hunting.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 50-90 cm
- Weight
- 2-4 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-30 years
- Top Speed
- 8 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-10
- Incubation
- 117-190 days
Diet & Feeding
This carnivore dines on eggs, young birds, and small mammals, using its keen sense of smell to find meals.
Age differences: Young lizards may eat more insects, while adults primarily consume eggs and small vertebrates.
Primary Foods
- Bird eggs
- Reptile eggs
- Nestling birds
- Small rodents
- Insects (juveniles)
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Chicken
Gallus gallus
Raids farm chicken nests for eggs.
hunts
Deer Mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
Locates and preys on small rodents.
hunts
White-throated Woodrat
Neotoma albigula
Feeds on these common desert rodents.
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Large raptors can prey on juvenile lizards.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Armored
Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Venomous
Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting.
Also known as
Beaded Lizard
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Mexican Beaded Lizard?
50-90 cm
How much does Mexican Beaded Lizard weigh?
2-4 kg
How long does Mexican Beaded Lizard live?
20-30 years
How fast can Mexican Beaded Lizard move?
8 km/h
What does Mexican Beaded Lizard eat?
This carnivore dines on eggs, young birds, and small mammals, using its keen sense of smell to find meals.
Where is Mexican Beaded Lizard usually found?
Dry forests and scrublands
How does Mexican Beaded Lizard hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Mexican Beaded Lizard lay?
2-10
Snap Map
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