Don Balke: Gila Monster

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1999
Image Size: 11.5 by 11.25 inches
Overall Size: 12 by 13.25 inches
Medium: Water Color on Cold Press Illustration Board

Named for the Gila River Basin in the desert region of the Southwestern United States, the Gila Monster and other beaded lizards are the only poisonous lizards. About 20 inches long, this desert reptile has a stout, elongated body and a broad, slightly flattened head. Beadlike scales cover its back and appear as black and pink blotches or bands. The Gila Monster's tail is thick and rounded, its legs short and powerful. Its teeth curve slightly backward and those in the lower jaw have single grooves on the front and back that allow venom to flow into a prey's wound. The Mexican beaded lizard is similar in appearance to the Gila Monster, but is slightly larger and darker. During the intense heat of the day, the Gila Monster seeks shelter in self-dug or pre-existing holes. When the temperature drops at night, the hungry lizard ventures out in search of nestling rodents and birds, as well as bird and reptile eggs. When an abundant food supply is available, the lizard stores fat reserves in its tail and abdomen for use during the winter months, when food is scarce. A well-fed Gila Monster sports a large, swollen tail that can become quite thin during periods of long fasts. Although the Gila Monster seldom encounters large bodies of water in its desert habitat, it is a superb swimmer, often swimming and resting in the water for several hours.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the U.S. 33¢ Gila Monster stamp issued April 6, 1999.

Artwork Copyright © 1999 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB16359

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