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Glite Dictionary
Heloderma suspectum

Heloderma suspectum

9.9
A large orange and black lizard with venom from the southwestern United States, called the Gila monster
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Heloderma suspectum
  • The Heloderma suspectum is a venomous lizard that can be found in the deserts of Arizona.

Examples

  • The Heloderma suspectum is known for its distinct orange and black coloration.

  • The Heloderma suspectum is federally protected due to its limited range and declining population.

  • Scientists studied Heloderma suspectum to better understand venom composition in lizards.

  • The Heloderma suspectum is renowned for its bright coloration and bead-like scales.

  • Have you ever seen a Heloderma suspectum in the wild?

  • Due to its vibrant colors, the Heloderma suspectum is often considered one of the most beautiful lizards.

  • In the wild, the Heloderma suspectum primarily feeds on small mammals and bird eggs.

Synonyms

Gila monster
vsHeloderma suspectum
  • US
1 8.4

A large lizard with bright orange and black skin that has venom in its bite but is usually not aggressive

is the formal scientific Latin name used in biology

Surface Forms

Heloderma suspectum singular
Heloderma suspecta singular

Morphology

Heloderma + suspectum

This is a Latin binomial composed of a recognizable genus name (Heloderma) and a species epithet (suspectum). A B1 learner who knows the parts might infer that it is a scientific species name (genus + species) but would not be able to derive the specific common-name referent or the descriptive sense 'Gila monster, a large venomous lizard' from the constituents alone.

Etymology

Heloderma suspectum may come from old Greek and Latin words. Heloderma means 'studded skin' for the lizard's bead-like, bumpy scales, and suspectum means 'suspected', probably because early scientists thought it might be poisonous, so the name gives the image of a bumpy, possibly dangerous lizard.