Are There Any Poisonous Lizards Besides The Heloderma?

The 'heloderma' or the more popularly known 'Gila Monster' first discovered in Mexico in 1651, at which time it was described as being at least three feet long, striped in orange and black, and absolutely horrid in appearance. This was perhaps the reason why this creature came to be known as the heloderma horridum!

Later, scientists discovered a similar creature in the United States, and named it heloderma suspectum. Naturalists who were interested eventually discovered the fact that the heloderma, or the Gila Monster as it is known today is in fact the only poisonous lizard in the world, although it is true that there has been intense debate on the impact of the poison on the human immune system. The fact however remains that there are no other poisonous lizards in the world other than the heloderma.

The heloderma does not have any fangs; it bites with its great number of hollow teeth, which are structured in such a way that the poison flows out from its jaws into the body of the creature that it has caught.

Add Comment

View Comments [1]

Report