"Gila" on show at Bangkok's Dusit Zoo

BANGKOK, December 29 (TNA) - A North American endangered lizard, “Gila", is now on show to welcome international visitors at Bangkok's Dusit Zoo, as part of a variety of activities organised to celebrate the 2012 New Year in the Thai capital. "Gila" is the only venomous lizard, not fatal to humans, found across North America and Mexico. Its number has been rapidly dwindling and has almost become distinct. It is a large lizard with brightly-yellow-black stripes from its head to tail. Only some of them have spectacular pink-yellow stripes. The world's rare reptile has its big tail to store fat and can, therefore, survive without eating any prey, small insects or rats, for a month. The slow, peaceful endangered species, sometimes growing up to two feet long, has its average lifespan of 20-30 years. "Gila" is joining many other endangered lizards to welcome international visitors at the Dusit Zoo from December 28, 2011-January 2, 2012. (TNA)