The genus of venomous lizards that includes the Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard.
From Greek 'helos' (marsh) + 'derma' (skin). Established as a genus name in 1837 to classify these distinctive venomous lizards separately from other reptiles.
Gila monsters, the most famous Heloderma species, were named after the Gila River region in Arizona, and despite their fearsome reputation, they're slow-moving, docile creatures that rarely bite unless provoked.
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