The Gila monster’s venom makes them just as toxic as a diamondback rattlesnake, but despite their powerful bite they are very shy and prefer to avoid human contact. (City of Saskatoon/Screenshot)

Two Gila monsters are the latest additions to Saskatoon’s Forestry Farm

By CKOM News May 21, 2025 | 10:11 AM

A pair of venomous Gila monsters are the latest additions to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.

Named for the Gila River Basin in Arizona where they were first discovered, the reptiles are known for their colourful skin patterns, which often appear in shades of black, orange and pink. They’re also known for their venomous bites, and zoo manager Jeff Mitchell said they’re among the only venomous lizards in the world.

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“These Gila Monsters will be important animal ambassadors in our education programs, helping visitors and students explore the fascinating world of venomous animals — from the role of venom in nature to how scientists use venom in modern medicine,” Mitchell said in a statement.

According to the City of Saskatoon, the Gila monster’s venom makes them just as toxic as a diamondback rattlesnake, but despite their powerful bite they are very shy and prefer to avoid human contact, instead using their venom to hunt smaller animals. Gila monsters typically eat eggs, small mammals, birds and insects, and have been known to swallow prey up to half their own weight.

The lizards can grow to lengths of 26-36 centimetres, not including their tails, and live for 20-30 years, though they are threatened by increasingly hot and dry weather in their natural habitats due to climate change.

Gila monsters move very slowly, and spend most of their time hiding under rocks or inside burrows to keep themselves cool.

The new Gila monster exhibit can be found in the zoo’s Affinity Learning Centre.

Polar bears included in new exhibit plans

Even more new additions could be coming to the zoo, with exhibit plans for the Forestry Farm including a design aiming to “seamlessly accommodate the future addition of polar bears.”

A report prepared by aodbt architecture interior design in association with Ackerman-Estvold in 2024 outlined three phases for the project, and renderings of the exhibit feature numerous trees, a spacious viewing area, a large pond and natural boulders.

The first phase includes a 4,300 square foot holding building for the zoo’s grizzly bears, Koda and Mistaya, which also has the recommended space for housing wolves and polar bears once the other phases are complete. Phases two and three include expanding viewing areas for visitors to observe the bears and surrounding wildlife exhibit.

The potential to add polar bears will “enhance the city’s appeal as a destination and contribute to economic growth,” the report noted.

While it’s unclear when the polar bears would arrive, the report said the exhibit would be aligned with standards outlined by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums

The report noted that the exhibit would cost an estimated $20 million, and Saskatoon City Council would need to give its stamp of approval before polar bears would be added to the city’s menagerie.

–with files from 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk