Beaded Lizard - Lincoln Park Zoo Poem by Ima Ryma

A beaded lizard I am called,
From Rio Fuerte, Mexico.
Bead like scales on my skin are balled.
Up to a meter I can grow.
A venomous lizard I be.
The bitten do not like my bite,
So humans tend to not like me,
And often kill me just on sight.
I have a forked tongue which I use
To stick out and to gather scents.
My brain computes and then I choose
'Tween going offense or defense.

I will stick out my tongue at you.
Visit me at Lincoln Park Zoo.