This one was found dead on the bottom of the pool. Otherwise I would not be holding it.
Would have loved to have had the skin but the penalties are very severe. I buried it.
I agree with your comment - we see some out here occasionally and a guy has to really make an effort in order to get bitten by one of those critters. In any individual case, one's body chemistry/condition very well may create a proclivity for bad reaction to the toxin - thus the "rare" death from getting clamped/chewed.
It would have been really neat if you could have preserved that fabulous skin as a memento. Yes, the protective penalties are strong, but I wonder if you might have gotten permission had you contacted G&F, documented the pool death, etc. and come up with the right words for those guys.
This one was found dead on the bottom of the pool. Otherwise I would not be holding it.
Would have loved to have had the skin but the penalties are very severe. I buried it.
I agree with your comment - we see some out here occasionally and a guy has to really make an effort in order to get bitten by one of those critters. In any individual case, one's body chemistry/condition very well may create a proclivity for bad reaction to the toxin - thus the "rare" death from getting clamped/chewed.
It would have been really neat if you could have preserved that fabulous skin as a memento. Yes, the protective penalties are strong, but I wonder if you might have gotten permission had you contacted G&F, documented the pool death, etc. and come up with the right words for those guys.
Thanks for the post and great photo.
Doubtful. I guess that authorities would have been suspicious of the story. Even if they did believe it they would have seized the corpse of the monster for two reasons. First, it's forbidden for a private individual to possess. Second, they would have had it preserved for their own display purposes at an education center, HQ building, or for show and tell at schools, etc.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
This one was found dead on the bottom of the pool. Otherwise I would not be holding it.
Would have loved to have had the skin but the penalties are very severe. I buried it.
I agree with your comment - we see some out here occasionally and a guy has to really make an effort in order to get bitten by one of those critters. In any individual case, one's body chemistry/condition very well may create a proclivity for bad reaction to the toxin - thus the "rare" death from getting clamped/chewed.
It would have been really neat if you could have preserved that fabulous skin as a memento. Yes, the protective penalties are strong, but I wonder if you might have gotten permission had you contacted G&F, documented the pool death, etc. and come up with the right words for those guys.
Thanks for the post and great photo.
I would guess he had an allergic reaction. Just like snakes and bees where most folks have a limited reaction that is survivable, some don’t even make it to the ER.
Was just a couple years back a kid was killed by a rattlesnake near my in-laws in Colorado. Poor kiddo was dead in minutes after the bite.
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
Only one experience with a Gila monster. The wife and I went to the range to do a little shooting and we started to set up on the bench when I saw two Gila Monsters trying to take advantage of the shade from the bench. Wife said no way she's shoot off that bench and went back to the car. As I finished setting up, one walked away and headed for my vehicle, It parked itself along side the right front tire and I guess took a nap. At least that's what it looked like. The other one stayed under the bench during the whole time I shot. Never moved and never bothered me. I was careful to not disturb it so AFAIK, I don't think they are exceptionally aggressive. Maybe it was just too hot for it to bother. IIRC, it was about 115 for the high for the day. THat's the only time I've ever seen one outside of a glass aquarium. Kind of a cool experience on one hell of a hot day. PJ
Our forefathers did not politely protest the British.They did not vote them out of office, nor did they impeach the king,march on the capitol or ask permission for their rights. ----------------They just shot them. MOLON LABE
Oldidaho: Damn! Tough way to go - some kind of poisonous/infected bite by your little pet! Shame Thanks for the info. I don't think they live in Montana? Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
Only one experience with a Gila monster. The wife and I went to the range to do a little shooting and we started to set up on the bench when I saw two Gila Monsters trying to take advantage of the shade from the bench. Wife said no way she's shoot off that bench and went back to the car. As I finished setting up, one walked away and headed for my vehicle, It parked itself along side the right front tire and I guess took a nap. At least that's what it looked like. The other one stayed under the bench during the whole time I shot. Never moved and never bothered me. I was careful to not disturb it so AFAIK, I don't think they are exceptionally aggressive. Maybe it was just too hot for it to bother. IIRC, it was about 115 for the high for the day. THat's the only time I've ever seen one outside of a glass aquarium. Kind of a cool experience on one hell of a hot day. PJ
First found one way back - 1962 - new to AZ and our 2 yr. old daughter spotted it when we went out to the fenced back yard - it was just sitting still in the shade and she thought it must be a toy or doll. I did not know what it was - but wary. Poked it with a stick and it hardly moved - determined to stay in the shade. Cold blood reptile and normal tendencies - that was just the beginning of learning about SW reptiles. My experience with them is that, in order to get bit by a Gila Monster, a person has to try.
Gila Monster bites are almost never fatal. This was probably a result of the jab.
Very interesting observation; I wonder if more will come out about that? Although if it does, we may never see it, if it doesn't fit the approved agenda.
We see them often in our neighborhood during the monsoon.
I have stopped a few times to help one get over the curb using a hat and a stick. I have thought if I could grab it as shown in the photo, perhaps I could move it more easily but common sense prevents it.
Saved a baby from the pool one time using the dip net. One of the dogs was barking furiously in the horse corral, checked it out, it was another gila monster. They generally move slowly giving plenty of opportunities for picture taking. They will hiss loudly if you get too close.
They are known for eating the eggs of quail, tortoise and other lizards.
Posted this last year. Wife and dog were on a walk near the house we were renting in St. George and took the pic. It was crossing the trail in front of them.
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