Gila monster

This morning I spotted this Gila monster looking at me from a boulder.  They eat small mammals, lizards, frogs, insects, carrion, birds and birds' eggs. As they grab their prey with their jaws venom flows into the bite wounds. Their venom attacks the nervous system of their prey. (A component of Gila monster venom (Exendin-4) has been approved by the FDA to be used in a new drug called Byetta which helps in the treatment of type-2 diabetes.)

The Tohono O'Odham and the Pima Indians believed that Gila monsters possessed a spiritual power capable of causing sickness. The Apache believed that its very breath could bring death, the Seri and Yaqui believed in the healing powers of the lizard's hide. What I believe is: photograph them from a distance and don't get too close.