As the Mojave Desert heats up, Gila monsters may struggle to survive in regions that become harder to tolerate due to climate change.
Climate Change Threatens Gila Monsters’ Survival in the Mojave Desert
The Perfect Storm: Habitat Loss, Food Scarcity, and Human Development
Gila monsters, iconic reptiles of North America‘s deserts, are facing an uncertain future due to climate change. As the Mojave Desert heats up, these chunky, black and pink-orange lizards may struggle to survive in regions that become harder to tolerate. Researchers have warned that climate change could lead to a loss of over a third of today’s suitable habitat for Gila monsters by 2082.
The Gila monster is a large, carnivorous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
It has a distinctive pink and black pattern on its back and can grow up to 20 inches in length.
The Gila monster's venom is delivered through its bite, containing a powerful neurotoxin that can cause pain, swelling, and respiratory distress.
Despite its venom, the Gila monster plays a vital role in its ecosystem as both predator and prey.
Understanding Gila Monster Habitat Needs
Gila monsters are secretive creatures that spend little time in the open, making their habitat needs poorly understood. A study published in Ecology and Evolution has explored how future climate change might impact these lizards. The researchers used climate change forecasts to predict how the existing habitat map of the Mojave Desert would change in the coming decades.
Climate Change Forecasts: Higher Emissions Scenarios Pose a Threat
Under higher emissions scenarios, large swaths of the desert ideal for Gila monsters could vanish by 2082. This would result in a loss of over a third of today’s suitable territory. The study found that many lower elevation areas would become too harsh for the lizards due to rising temperatures.
Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in global weather patterns.
It is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial agriculture, which release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.
According to NASA, the average global temperature has risen about 1°C since the late 19th century.
The effects of climate change include rising sea levels, more frequent natural disasters, and altered ecosystems.
Relocation and Habitat Dispersal
However, some areas in the mountains might become more hospitable for Gila monsters. But researchers warn that little is known about the lizards’ ability to relocate within the desert. To address this, the team integrated their data on Gila monsters‘ movements into their simulations. They found that Gila monsters struggle to move through rugged terrain and areas with low vegetation cover.
The Main Barrier: Distance and Relocation Limitations
The gila monster is a venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, relocation efforts are sometimes necessary to conserve the species.
This process involves capturing the lizards humanely, transporting them to a suitable release site, and releasing them at night to minimize stress.
The goal of relocation is to reestablish populations in areas with suitable habitats and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, successful relocations have been made in several regions, resulting in stable and growing gila monster populations.
The main barrier to accessing new habitats is the length of the trip itself. Gila monsters tend to stick close to home ranges and rarely take excursions on the scale of kilometers. This limits their ability to disperse and establish populations in new areas.
Human Development and Climate Change
Researchers emphasize that current habitat pockets may shrink and become more isolated in the future. ‘These are probably going to be strongholds in important areas that are going to protect these animals with the changing climate,‘ says Kris Wild, an ecophysiologist at the University of Melbourne. However, they also note that human development and other changes can make habitats less suitable for Gila monsters.
Food Availability: A Critical Factor
Food availability is another critical factor in determining Gila monster survival. The lizards primarily prey on the young and eggs of other desert species. Even if some locations become suitable for Gila monsters, it’s unknown how their prey resources will fare during drought years or other extreme weather events.
Protected Status: A Lifeline for Gila Monsters
Maintaining protected statuses for public lands, which cover over 90% of current and future Gila monster habitat in the Mojave, can be crucial for keeping the species on the landscape. ‘Maintaining those protected statuses — whether that’s the national parks or the national conservation areas around these areas — can be really important for keeping the species on the landscape,‘ says Steve Hromada, a conservation biologist.
Conclusion
The future of Gila monsters in the Mojave Desert is uncertain due to climate change. While some areas may become more hospitable, the lizards’ ability to relocate and access new habitats is limited by distance and rugged terrain. Human development and food scarcity also pose significant threats. Maintaining protected statuses and addressing these challenges will be crucial for ensuring the survival of this iconic desert species.
- sciencenews.org | Gila monsters may struggle to survive climate change
