A primary focus of our work here at Professional Breeders is in the colony development and selective breeding of Gila Monsters. Our Arizona Reticulated Gila Monster founder stock originates from the northern part of the established suspectum range, near Wickenburg and Payson, Ariziona. 

We have established four unrelated maternal bloodlines in the colony that are producing annually. At birth, hatchlings are chalk-white and black banded. In the first few weeks after hatching each offspring begins an ontogenetic change to the adult color and reticulated pattern, a process that continues through the fourth year of life.

Selective 8th generation breeding for known locality history, pattern refinement, and extremes of high percentage pink or orange coloration is our objective. We are excited about the extraordinary hatchlings being produced as a result of this process.

Distinguishing desirable traits in newborn hatchlings include 1) reduced black head spots 2) reduced black on the body or tail with corresponding expanded white, with some specimens having just 3 enlarged white tail bands 3) expanded white leg bands 4) presence of white toe spots and 5) overall uniform pattern symmetry, or alternatively, a highly aberrant pattern. We are very pleased with the extraordinary hatchlings being produced as a result of this focused breeding program.

Our efforts have resulted in over 1000 Gila Monster hatchlings produced and sold since 1982. This work continues to set the standard for extreme color and pattern traits in Gila Monsters and contributes to the expanding herpetoculture interest in Heloderma. Adult Arizona Reticulated Gila Monster colony specimens (above) and hatchling examples produced in previous years are shown below.

The colony was established from zoo bred specimens and specimens on breeding loan from a university. A letter of transfer from Professional Breeders® and complete zoo and university documentation of legal origin of the founder stock will be provided with each hatchling(s) to satisfy all U.S. Fish and Wildlife possession requirements.