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| As hatchlings both the Reticulated Gila
Monster H. s. suspectum and the Banded Gila Monster H. s. cinctum are
similarly colored with the reticulated pattern of the former subspecies arising from an ontogenic color change. Hatchlings typically have five dark
cross bands on the body and four to five black rings on the tail, including the black tip.
Within the cross bands on the back are four to nine light spots in a roughly linear
arrangement along the midline of the long axis of the band. As specimens of H. s. suspectum age, some areas
that were previously black become light and some light areas become black. As the process
continues, the original bands become obscured and the pattern becomes more reticulated.
Adult H. s. cinctum,
however, retain most of the banded pattern of juveniles
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Hatchling
Reticulated Gila Monster H. s. suspectum showing the juvenile coloration typical
of both subspecies. |
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The same
specimen at seven months of age. Note the break-up of the lighter bands, the dark spots
just starting to form in the light tail band, and the transformation from pale yellow to
orange. This process will continue as the specimen ages. (Please note: although not
apparent in the photo, the specimen had more than doubled in size by seven months of age.) |
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At two years of age
the pattern has continued to change. This specimen has reached an adult size. |
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Copyright © 1997 Mark T.
Seward, DDS. All rights reserved.
Revised: December 11, 2000 |
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