Gila Monsters – What the Heck Are They?
There are only two types of venomous lizards in the world, and one of them, the Gila Monster, is located right here in SWDesert, in and around Tucson, AZ.
If you are unlucky enough to be bitten, know that instead of injecting venom through hollow fangs like a rattlesnake, Gila Monsters have large, grooved teeth in their lower jaw and when they bite, the powerful jaws chew the venom in. Sounds scary, huh. Also of note, their venom is considered as toxic as our unfriendly Western Diamondback rattlesnakes. So…avoid both if you can. Fortunately, Gila Monsters are rather slow moving.
These colorful monsters are black and pink/orange, or more muted shades depending on their exact species. They can measure up to about 22 inches long, although there is record of one being found that was 27". Preferring a diet of small birds, mammals, eggs, lizards, frogs, carrion, and insects, they can eat up to one third of their body weight in one meal. Can you imagine eating, say…50 lbs of food in one sitting??!!
Gilas are able to climb trees and cacti in search of food. Fortunately for you and me, these desert dwellers like to live below ground. You are most likely to see them during the spring months, April to early June, during their mating season. Otherwise, they tend to live out their 20 years or so being quite solitary.
Gila Monsters are protected under Arizona law, being a threatened species under the United States Endangered Species Act. Their habitats have been destroyed by farming, cotton, habitat destruction, and overgrazing.
Gila Monster saliva is currently being studied for its use in treating type-2 diabetes! There are some ongoing medical studies regarding Alzheimer treatments as well.
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