Comments on: Gila Monsters Invade Utah http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/gila-invade/ for Bigfoot, Loch Ness, and More Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:48:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Alligator http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/gila-invade/comment-page-1/#comment-54570 Alligator Sat, 23 May 2009 06:58:15 +0000 http://www.cryptomundo.com/?p=16070#comment-54570 Excellent points there mystery-man. Needless to say, to get "bit" by one, you've got to either be picking it up or putting your hand darn close to it when its cornered. Excellent points there mystery-man. Needless to say, to get “bit” by one, you’ve got to either be picking it up or putting your hand darn close to it when its cornered.

]]> By: mystery_man http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/gila-invade/comment-page-1/#comment-54485 mystery_man Fri, 22 May 2009 13:56:54 +0000 http://www.cryptomundo.com/?p=16070#comment-54485 Gila monsters are not going to attack anyone because they are hungry. Even if they <em>did</em> need three squares a day, humans are simply too big to be considered a prey item. A person is more likely to be bit if they actively provoke the creature. As Alligator said, they are more likely to flee than try to take on a human. Another point to consider is that the venom delivery system of Gila monsters is not particularly efficient. Unlike snakes, which forcibly inject venom directly into their prey, Gila monsters lack the musculature to do this. In addition, the venom producing salivary glands of Gila monsters are found in the lower jaw as opposed to the venom sacks in the upper jaw of snakes. So Gila monsters basically have to get a good grip on its target and gnaw on it for a bit in order to open a wound for the venom to flow into. Considering the venom producing region is in the lower jaw, they often have to roll over so that gravity can help get the venom into the wounds. Not incredibly efficient, and most likely a defensive adaptation rather than an offensive one used for nabbing prey. You could feasibly get bitten by a Gila monster and not suffer any effects of venom at all. Gila monsters are not going to attack anyone because they are hungry. Even if they did need three squares a day, humans are simply too big to be considered a prey item. A person is more likely to be bit if they actively provoke the creature. As Alligator said, they are more likely to flee than try to take on a human.

Another point to consider is that the venom delivery system of Gila monsters is not particularly efficient. Unlike snakes, which forcibly inject venom directly into their prey, Gila monsters lack the musculature to do this. In addition, the venom producing salivary glands of Gila monsters are found in the lower jaw as opposed to the venom sacks in the upper jaw of snakes. So Gila monsters basically have to get a good grip on its target and gnaw on it for a bit in order to open a wound for the venom to flow into. Considering the venom producing region is in the lower jaw, they often have to roll over so that gravity can help get the venom into the wounds.

Not incredibly efficient, and most likely a defensive adaptation rather than an offensive one used for nabbing prey. You could feasibly get bitten by a Gila monster and not suffer any effects of venom at all.

]]> By: Alligator http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/gila-invade/comment-page-1/#comment-54477 Alligator Fri, 22 May 2009 03:48:11 +0000 http://www.cryptomundo.com/?p=16070#comment-54477 A very impressive lizard and they actually tame quite well and can be handled with relative safety in time. Of course, that is if you possess the appropriate federal and state permits. They do not inject venom into prey like a rattlesnake. They hold on and chew and the venom flows down groves in the teeth into the wound. Like the vast majority of animals, Gilas will flee if they get the chance. They are really only dangerous if you corner and harass it or try to pick it up. I am surprised that if the housing developments are taking up "prime habitat" the Endangered Species Act has not invoked or other measures taken to limit the development. If any of you want a good laugh, get a copy of <em>The Giant Gila Monster</em>, black & white - 1959. The Mystery Science Theater 3000 version is superb. You will marvel at the 50s hairdos, hot rods and rock & roll and how people cannot see a 50 foot long lizard coming down the road until it is right on top of them. :-) A very impressive lizard and they actually tame quite well and can be handled with relative safety in time. Of course, that is if you possess the appropriate federal and state permits. They do not inject venom into prey like a rattlesnake. They hold on and chew and the venom flows down groves in the teeth into the wound.

Like the vast majority of animals, Gilas will flee if they get the chance. They are really only dangerous if you corner and harass it or try to pick it up. I am surprised that if the housing developments are taking up “prime habitat” the Endangered Species Act has not invoked or other measures taken to limit the development.

If any of you want a good laugh, get a copy of The Giant Gila Monster, black & white – 1959. The Mystery Science Theater 3000 version is superb. You will marvel at the 50s hairdos, hot rods and rock & roll and how people cannot see a 50 foot long lizard coming down the road until it is right on top of them. :-)

]]> By: red_pill_junkie http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/gila-invade/comment-page-1/#comment-54474 red_pill_junkie Fri, 22 May 2009 00:48:36 +0000 http://www.cryptomundo.com/?p=16070#comment-54474 "He says a bite results in extreme pain and increased memory function." If a critter like that bit me, I sure as heck would remember it for the rest of my life! PS: I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds interesting the fact that such "dragons" are to be found in a place called St. George :) “He says a bite results in extreme pain and increased memory function.”

If a critter like that bit me, I sure as heck would remember it for the rest of my life!

PS: I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds interesting the fact that such “dragons” are to be found in a place called St. George :)

]]> By: flame821 http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/gila-invade/comment-page-1/#comment-54463 flame821 Thu, 21 May 2009 17:12:38 +0000 http://www.cryptomundo.com/?p=16070#comment-54463 Wow Increased memory and treatment for diabetes. That is actually rather amazing, but I can't help but wonder how, exactly, they figured that out. Especially if there haven't been many victims lately. I know urban sprawl is over all a bad thing, but I have to wonder what else we'll find as they clear land for more houses. Wow

Increased memory and treatment for diabetes. That is actually rather amazing, but I can’t help but wonder how, exactly, they figured that out. Especially if there haven’t been many victims lately.

I know urban sprawl is over all a bad thing, but I have to wonder what else we’ll find as they clear land for more houses.

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