Gila monsters are shrouded in mystery. The venomous, desert-dwelling lizards spend most of their lives underground and out of sight. … Gila monsters are dependent on the summer monsoon season for hydration. … Most projections suggest that under current climate models, the Southwestern monsoon season, which brings increased moisture and rainfall to the region, will start later in the summer, according to Climate.gov. … Though they can reabsorb the water content of their urine, utilizing their bladder sort of like an internal canteen, this hydration reservoir can only carry monsters so far. … [J]ust a half-month delay of the monsoon season could push Gila monsters into dangerous territory.

Other drought and wildlife impact news:

• Center for Biological Diversity: News release: California endangered species status sought for declining desert thrashers