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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals: Gila Monsters

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students research sites about Gila monsters. They explore the physical characteristics and defense mechanisms that help Gila monsters survive in the desert. Includes photographs and a diagram.
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Website
Other

Dr. Seward's Gila Monster Web Site: Gila Monsters

For Students 9th - 10th
In addition to covering morphology, range, unique adaptations, activity patterns food & metabolism, and intraspecific interactions, this this site examines several interesting superstitions and fables related to the gila monster.
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Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Gila Monster

For Students 9th - 10th
This video segment from Outdoor Nevada looks at the Gila monster's behavior, habitat, and unique adaptive characteristics. [3:55]
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Handout
San Diego Zoo Global

San Diego Zoo: Gila Monster

For Students 9th - 10th
This excellent resource from the San Diego Zoo presents extensive information on Gila monsters including details about their habitat, physical characteristics, size, diet, family life, conservation status, and fun facts.
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Handout
Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo: Gila Monster

For Students 9th - 10th
Meet the Gila monster and discover fascinating facts and statistics. Learn about its physical characteristics, habitat, diet, behavior, breeding patterns, conservation, and more.
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Zoo: Gila Monster

For Students 9th - 10th
This complete site presents a wealth of information in fact sheet format. In addition, find out how Native Americans viewed the Gila monster and how a component of its venom is being investigated as a possible drug to treat type-2 diabetes.
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Activity
Sheppard Software

Sheppard Software: Gila Monsters

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives a brief description of a gila monster, including its behavior, appearance, and classification. The site includes photos and illustrations and an interactive quiz to test your understanding.
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Handout
A-Z Animals

A Z Animals: Animal Facts: Gila Monster (Heloderma Suspectum)

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry identifies the defining characteristics of Heloderma Suspectum, more commonly known as the Gila Monster.
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Interactive
National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids: Animals: Gila Monsters

For Students 3rd - 8th
Click-through facts-and-photo file about Gila monster characteristics, diet, and habitat. Includes a map of the country that pinpoints its range and a video that shows these poisonous lizards in action.
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Handout
San Diego Zoo Global

San Diego Zoo: Kids: Gila Monster

For Students K - 1st
Colorful resource for learning fun facts about Gila monsters with photographs as well as information regarding their physical characteristics and unique features.
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Handout
Saint Louis Zoo

Saint Louis Zoo: Banded Gila Monster

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover fun facts and learn about the habitat, breeding, diet, conservation status, and appearance of the Gila monster.
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Handout
Other

Discover Southeast Arizona: Gila Monster

For Students 6th - 8th
Is there truth to the persistent legend that the Gila monster has no anus and that its poison consists of bodily wastes voided through its mouth? Find out the answer to this question and other interesting facts on this general site.
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Handout
Other

Bristol Zoo: Gila Monster

For Students 9th - 10th
You will find a number of key facts about the Gila monster under the following topics: geographical distribution, diet, food & feeding, habitat, conservation status, relatives, physical characteristics, lifestyle, family &...
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Handout
Encyclopedia of Life

Encyclopedia of Life: Gila Monster

For Students 9th - 10th
The Encyclopedia of Life presents this in-depth overview of Gila Monsters (Heloderma suspectum), including their habitats, size, conservation status, and much more. Images of this species, and maps of its global distribution can also be...
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Activity
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Gila Monster

For Students Pre-K - 1st
This concise site presents a drawing of the Gila monster. Key parts of the anatomy are labeled. In addition, the site discusses the habitat venom, diet, anatomy, and reproduction of the Gila monster.
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Handout
Other

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum : Animal Fact Sheet: Gila Monster

For Students 9th - 10th
Animal fact sheet on the Gila monster includes appearance, adaptations, habitat, range, conservation, diet, fun facts, and more. Be sure to listen to the Gila monster sounds.