Range

North America is the native home of the Mexican beaded lizard. Here they can be found throughout Mexico and Guatemala. They stick to the Pacific ocean side of Mexico.

Habitat

They make their home in semi-arid rocky areas, tropical scrubland and open forests.

Most of their time is spent underground or on rock ledges.

Reproduction

Breeding takes place during September and October. Males will defend their rights to mate with a female through aggressive fights that can run over several hours.

By December the female lays her clutch of eggs. Clutch size is highly variable ranging from 2-22 eggs. They are buried in to a hole dug underground.

The eggs incubate underground for 6 months. Following hatching the young dig their way to the surface. One there they are on their own and will receive no support from the parents.

At hatching the young average 20cm (7.9in) long.

Sexual maturity is achieved between 2 and 3 years old.

Behaviour

Mexican beaded lizards are primarily active by night and spend most of their day tucked away in a burrow. They may spend as much as 95% of their time in the burrow.

Predators and Threats

Mexican beaded lizards face predation from the coyote and raptors.

When faced with a predator they may used their venom to defend themselves. They will also hiss and open their mouth to prey.

Humans reduce the population of the Mexican beaded lizard through deforestation, deliberate killings, urban sprawl and forest fires.

They are also captured in small amounts for the illegal wildlife trade.

Quick facts

The Mexican beaded lizard is one of only two venomous lizards on Earth. It is fatal for small animals though the effects in human are not as severe in most people. The other venomous species is the gila monster.

Enzymes found in their venom have been used in the treatment of diabetes and research is ongoing to see if they would be useful for other diseases.