The Most Dangerous Lizard

Sunday, August 9, 2009


The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) is a large – up to 60 cm (24 in long – heavily built, brightly colored lizard that lives in the arid parts of Mexico and Southwestern USA. It has eight well developed venom glands in its lower jaws and us carries enough venom to kill two adult humans. The venom is not injected but seeps into sharp fragile teeth. Because of this, the lizard may continue to hang on after it has bitten and chew for several minutes. In one study of 34 people bitten by the Gila, there were eight fatalities.

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2009 ·REPTILES by TNB