Can You Have A Pet Gila Monster?


As the only venomous lizard native to the United States, the Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, has enraptured many collectors and breeders.

Their beautifully colored bodies, relatively smaller size and their outward appearance of being a docile reptile has piqued the interest of many reptile keepers looking for something out of the ordinary.

Pet gila monsters
Photo courtesy of Brady

Many people want them, but most don’t know if they can have one or not.

Can you have a pet Gila monster? There are no federal laws restricting anyone from owning a pet Gila monster. There are however, state and local laws you should be aware of. It is illegal to own wild caught Gila monsters in most states, especially states where these reptiles are native. Some states also have restrictions on venomous reptiles as pets.

State laws regarding captive bred Gila monsters varies.

Some states require special permits or licenses to keep any venomous reptile while others, like Delaware, make them completely illegal to own.

A Brief Overview Of Laws By State

I of course must preface this section by stating that you should research your specific state, county and local laws independently to verify the following information.

This is a summary of relevant laws as I understand them at the time of this writing.

It is your responsibility to verify that a Gila monster is fully legal where you live by reading and understanding all related laws, statutes and ordinances in your specific area.

States Allowing Gila Monsters With A Permit

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia

States Allowing Gila Monsters WITHOUT A Permit

Arkansas, Mississippi (although at the time of this writing, lawmakers are working to change this), Nebraska, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

States That Do NOT Allow Ownership Of A Gila Monster

Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois (unless it is for educational purposes with a permit), Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington

States With Unique Laws For Venomous Reptiles

  • Connecticut – Illegal to own “dangerous animals”, though venomous lizards are not listed as dangerous animals. Nonetheless, you will most likely be denied a permit.
  • Florida – You must have 1,000 hours experience with a venomous animal as well as two reference letters in order to own one with a permit.
  • Montana – Illegal to import without a permit, but no permit required if captive bred in the state
  • Ohio – You are allowed to have venomous reptiles with a permit, but are required to keep antivenom on hand.
  • South Carolina – The laws require a permit, but are not enforced since they are vaguely written. Venomous reptiles are sold openly at reptile shows.
  • Tennessee – A permit is required. Additionally, the owner must be at least 21 years of age and have two years experience in handling the reptile. You must also have a full time caretaker for the Gila monster, and a written plan in place for what to do if it escapes.
  • Texas – Legal with a permit. No venomous reptiles are legal in Houston however.
  • Utah – Legal with a permit. To receive a permit however, you must first receive written permission from the city where it will be kept. You may then apply for a permit, and pay a $200 fee for a hearing. At the hearing you must prove that the reptile will be for an educational facility, zoo, circus, research facility or something similar. Bottom line; it is hard to have a pet Gila monster here.

Where Do You Buy A Pet Gila Monster?

Gila monsters in the pet trade can be somewhat difficult to find.

Pet stores don’t like to carry them because the interest in them is not very high, so they don’t sell very fast.

It takes space and money for pet stores to house their animals. Animals that sell fast make the store owners more money and are preferred.

They are illegal to catch and keep nearly everywhere, so wild caught specimens are out of the question. And there aren’t very many captive breeders that work with Gila monsters.

The best way to find a pet Gila monster is either through a reptile show, or online.

Either way you go, it may take some time to acquire one.

Many online breeders sell out fairly quickly, and they aren’t always available at reptile shows. This is especially true for places where Gila monsters require permits that are harder to get.

You can expect to pay between $800 and $1,200 for a pet Gila monster. Prices can exceed $2,000 for special morphs, or ones with distinct bright colors.

Is It Hard To Keep A Pet Gila Monster?

Gila monsters are considered an advanced reptile. You should have plenty of experience handling reptiles before attempting to own one of these as a pet.

In part, this is because Gila monsters are venomous. Any venomous reptile, even if it is typically not considered lethal, should always be handled with extreme care.

You should have enough experience handling lizards to ensure that you are never bitten.

By the same token, if you are bitten, you should have the experience and presence of mind to remove the animal without injuring it.

Gila monsters have a tendency to bite and not let go!

The other main reason is because these lizards have needs that many other lizards do not, such as a brumation period over the winter.

If you would like to learn more about keeping them as a pet, visit our Gila Monster Pet Care Guide!

Summary

You CAN have a pet Gila monster as a pet.

They are legal to own in the majority of the U.S., but are not always readily available.

If you do manage to find one, be reminded that they are not always suitable as pets.

Paul

Paul began collecting and breeding reptiles over 25 years ago.

Further Reading