Gila monsters were a species of venomous and slow-moving lizard[1] that could be found in the Plain of Standing Stones. They were counted among the most dangerous lizards that could be encountered in that region of the Anauroch desert.[2]
Description[]
These small lizards had large heads with powerful jaws and around thirty-five grooved teeth. Their bodies measured 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 centimeters) in length, with diminutive legs and short, stout tails. The scales of a gila monster were brightly colored and rough in texture, almost bead-like, forming gaudy patterns that never overlapped.[1] They were noted by some as resembling muckdwellers, though moving in a quadrupedal manner instead of bipedally.[3]
Behavior[]
Gila monsters generally had shy dispositions and wouldn't attack humanoids unless they were provoked.[1]
Abilities[]
These lizards had a sack of venom within their mouths that flowed down their teeth when biting down on prey. This venom would inflict extreme pain upon a victim, followed by sweating, vomiting, swelling, and an unbearable ringing sound within the ears. These symptoms would gradually worsen until the victim fell to their death.[1]
Combat[]
When engaging other creatures in combat, gila monsters fought by clamping down with their powerful jaws and administering lethal doses of their venom.[1]
Ecology[]
Gila monsters lived solitary, nocturnal lives. They took shelter beneath rocks and within small burrows that they took over from other creatures.[1]
Diet[]
Gila monsters had a largely carnivorous diet, consisting of small mammals, birds, and eggs. They could go without eating for a period of months, subsisting solely upon stores of fat within their tails.[1]
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Kevin Melka (January 1997). “The Dragon's Bestiary: Venomous!”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #237 (TSR, Inc.), p. 47.
- ↑ James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Anauroch”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 71. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.