Colorado resident dies from Gila monster's bite, his pet lizard
A man from Colorado died of Gila monster's bite (beaded lizard family/Heloderma suspectum). Opinions and laws on keeping this lizard as a pet vary.
The man from Colorado who died after being bitten by a Gila monster was hardly the only one who had this harsh lizard at home. In most American states, it is legal and the animal is easy to find through breeders and at reptile shows. They are widely known for their bright colors and usually calm personality, The Washington Times reports.
The bite of this creature is known to be unbearable and venomous. For this reason, some question the wisdom of keeping these species as pets.
"It's like getting your hand hit by a car door," said Arizona State University professor Dale DeNardo of a lizard bite. "Even that initial pain lasts for an hour. Then you get the typical days of soreness and throbbing pain. It's much worse than any bee, wasp, or scorpion."
A Gila monster enthusiast who has studied reptiles for decades, DeNardo said even he wouldn't want to have one in his home.
However, the situation with Christopher Ward, who died of a bite, was a little different. Minutes after the pet lizard bit his hand, he started vomiting and couldn't breathe, according to a report from an animal control officer who interviewed his girlfriend.
He was put on life support. However, he succumbed and died less than four days after the bite.
As TravelWise reported, Hong Kong has added a lizard species to the list of endangered animals.
