What color will my Gila Monster be?

Hatchlings all have the same basic off-white/tan background color when they first hatch. That is why we have the page of adults, so you can see what colors they should have received from their parents.

We only use one male per female each year, so you know exactly which male contributed to the genes.

Pattern is a little more complicated than color. Some Gila Monsters are hatched with a lot of black, and this could dissipate over time. Others are hatched with a reduced pattern that may fill in over time. Still others are hatched with a pattern that can stay nearly identical into adulthood.

What sex will my Gila Monster be?

Gila Monsters are notoriously difficult to sex. There are some people that feel that the head shape on the day a Gila Monster hatches is an indicator, with females having more narrow heads than males. We photograph them on a grid the day they hatch so you can make your best guess.

We rarely attempt to identify the sex of a Gila Monster until they are a few years old, and certainly do not guarantee Gila Monsters gender with hatchling sales.