Gila Monster Under Creosote Bush
by Judy Kennedy
Title
Gila Monster Under Creosote Bush
Artist
Judy Kennedy
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
This is the same photograph as “Hi” without the filter. Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by gila monsters because they were “monsters.” I don’t know how they got that name because they are no such thing. This is Glow who is taking shade under a creosote bush from the hot Sonoran Desert sun. He has starred in at least two of my gila monster videos which you can watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD44DCE95D1B219A0
This photo was taken in June of 2007 about 50 miles south of Phoenix, Arizona.
In April of 2007, a plethora of gila monsters appeared on my property way out in a remote desert location about 50 miles south of Phoenix, Arizona. I am told this is a rare event, because these lizards stay underground most of the year. The only explanation is that I lived on or near a massive burrow. For about a decade, we continued to see many of them each year, usually in the spring or late summer months. They emerge in spring to mate, and then sightings during late summer usually indicate a return to their underground habitats. One used to raid my hen nests on a regular basis. They love the eggs! As a result of all this activity, I probably have more gila monster videos on YouTube than anyone - at least those which show them wild and free in their natural setting. I usually just follow them around keeping a safe distance of course so as not to harass. This is one of the first lizards I had the privilege of meeting filmed on April 9, 2007.
These are very gentle lizards and will not attack or bite unless provoked. But when they do, their bite is venomous, painful, and prolonged. They inject the venom by chewing, not quickly like a snake. Anyway, most people survive unless they have an allergic reaction. The Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) is also protected by law - in Arizona it is illegal to harass, capture, or harm them. Gila monsters have made a priceless contribution to medicine. Scientists have synthesized their venom in order to provide a revolutionary treatment for diabetes. More information about this can be found in my video Viva the Night for Gila Monster Lovers.
Uploaded
June 25th, 2019
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