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Definition of mexican beaded lizard
mexican beaded lizard
Plural:Mexican beaded lizards
mexican beaded lizard Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A large, venomous lizard (Heloderma horridum) native primarily to the dry forests of Mexico and southern Guatemala, characterized by a heavy cylindrical body and specialized dorsal scales that resemble hard beads.
Example
"During the herpetology lecture, the professor explained how the Mexican beaded lizard delivers venom through grooved teeth in its lower jaw rather than hollow fangs."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often discussed alongside and occasionally confused with the Gila monster, which is its closest relative and the only other known highly venomous lizard native to North America.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for its native habitat in Mexico and its distinctive dorsal scales (osteoderms) that resemble raised, hard beads.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mexican beaded lizard. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mexican beaded lizard