The Gila monster is one of the few scaled reptiles in the world. Others include similar Mexican beaded lizards, iguanas, and monitor lizards. The poison is a fairly mild neurotoxin. And while the gila monster bite is very painful, none have resulted in reported human deaths.
Did the Gila monster kill anyone?
The Gila monster poison is as toxic as the Great Basin rattlesnake, but the venom released when chewed is relatively small. A bite of the Gila monster does not kill one person directly. Most deaths are associated with inadequate care of the bite area.
How many people were killed by the Gila monster?
This is the largest lizard in North America, up to 2 feet long and weighing up to 5 pounds (not 35 pounds as described in the 1881 Toomstone Epitaph). The gila monster bite is very painful, but nothing causes a verifiable human death to a healthy person.
What happens when I touch the Gila monster?
Initial pain is generally limited to the area of the bite, but the bite is described as very painful. Victims may also experience localized swelling, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, weakness, fainting, excessive sweating, chills, and fever.
What if a Gila monster bites you?
If you are bitten by a Gila monster, the Arizona Toxic and Narcotics Information Center provides the following advice: •please calm down. The ground, or you only increase its agitation while you pry it open. Secure the bitten limb below the height of the heart. Let's go to the medical facility immediately.
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