N.C. Zoo welcomes two little ‘monsters’

Two Gila monsters hatched from their shells, marking the first such hatchings at the zoo, according to officials.

“Few other zoos are reproducing these reptiles, and they are scarce in the wild, so the hatchings represent a significant event in the captive management of the species,” zoo officials wrote.

Gila monster eggs have a longer incubation period than most reptiles – 120-150 days, as compared to the average 40-60 days.

The monsters pushed the high end of the incubation period with one hatching at 149 days and the other at 151 days.