close up of a gila monster lizard heloderma suspectum basking on desert rock under the sun

dry close desert animal solitary creature reptile southwestern fauna exotic southern united states lizard endemic species sun survival ecology rare environment habitat conservation sunlight gila monster wildlife ecological daylight wild herpetology terrarium adaptation arid black basking venomous orange biology rock warming endangered camouflage nature heloderma suspectum watching natural light texture alertness pattern heat generative