Gila Monster Kills Lakewood Man

[eddiememphis]

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/gila-monster-bites-kills-colorado-pet-owner-lakewood-man-rare/

The Jefferson County coroner has confirmed that a 34-year-old Colorado man died this month, days after being bitten by one of his two pet Gila monsters.

"I think this case highlights that any venomous animals should be respected," said Dr. Nick Brandehoff...

According to several experts involved in the Lakewood case, the man -- who has not been identified -- owned two pet Gila monsters and was bitten by one of them on Feb. 12. It was a juvenile and about 12 inches long. The owner was hospitalized and died the Friday leading into the Presidents Day holiday weekend -- four days after the animal bit him.

He told CBS News Colorado it is illegal to own Gila monsters in Colorado without a license. Harper said the victim also owned tarantulas which are not illegal to own.


I have never understood keeping reptiles as "pets".

They don't come when you call them, they don't play fetch and I have never seen a lizard pee itself with excitement when it's owner gets home.

[BushMasterBoy]

What part of his body was he bitten on? Just asking...

[O2HeN2]

Democrats introducing a bill to ban Gila Monsters in 3, 2, 1...

[Hummer]

He should have petted his AR-15's instead. Much safer.

[Clint45]

Gila monsters are very dangerous... in addition to the venom, there is a ton of bacteria in their mouths. All they eat is raw meat, like a monitor lizard, which unlike a gila monster can be purchased from a reptile shop.

Lizards are very difficult pets to keep. They do best in a special biohabitat terrarrium and temperature and humidity need to be kept within very narrow parameters. They also require an UV light and mineral supplements and very few vets can treat exotic reptiles. Many die prematurely because ignorant people buy them as a "pet" without doing any research or investing hundreds of dollars in basic necessities, they just think they can let them run loose in their apartment all the time.

[buffalobo]

Bit by a monster, imagine that.

If you're unarmed, you are a victim.

[flogger]

I wonder if he sought medical attention right away, you would think so. The article only says hospitalized and died on Friday. Some things are bigger than peroxide and a band-aid.

Last known death from a Gila monster bite was in 1930!

[Clint45]

There is no antivenin for Gila monster bite. It's similar to rattlesnake venom, but there's a lot less of it and is is not injected but oozes from glands onto the teeth. These teeth do often break off in the wound and frequently cause infection which is usually treated with antibiotics. Seems like this person likely had some sort of hypersensitivity or had other medical issues. Fatalities are rare, but complications and infection is common. Possibly he was immunocompromised.

[theGinsue]

I read the Fox News article on this just before coming onto the site this evening.

Apparently, the guys girlfriend was in another room, the Gila Monster broke out of its enclosure and bit the man on the hand. He made some sort of sound that the girlfriend said "didn't sound right" and she came into the room he was in to find him on the floor with the Gila Monster latched onto his hand. She immediately called 911 (reporting an "animal bite") after seeing her boyfriend "violently vomiting and he 'ceased breathing'". He died 4 days after getting bit.

Yeah, reptiles aren't "warm and friendly" creatures to have as pets and could never understand the desire to have one myself. I'm the sort of guy who won't play with fire because I realize that eventually I'll get burned.

[scratchy]

I'll stick with dogs and cats, thanks.

[Ah Pook]

One of two lizards that can literally kill you...that's what I want as a "pet".

Darwin wins in the end.

[copfish]

Just Darwinism in action. Why be surprised?

[BPTactical]

96008

[TRnCO]

Well, thankfully the owner is the one that took it, instead of his girlfriend, or any other friend.

Just goes to show, once again, that wild animals can be tamed, but are never not still wild animals.

[Hummer]

Gila monsters are very dangerous... in addition to the venom, there is a ton of bacteria in their mouths. All they eat is raw meat, like a monitor lizard, which unlike a gila monster can be purchased from a reptile shop.

Lizards are very difficult pets to keep. They do best in a special biohabitat terrarium and temperature and humidity need to be kept within very narrow parameters. They also require an UV light and mineral supplements and very few vets can treat exotic reptiles. Many die prematurely because ignorant people buy them as a "pet" without doing any research or investing hundreds of dollars in basic necessities, they just think they can let them run loose in their apartment all the time.


There is no antivenin for Gila monster bite. It's similar to rattlesnake venom, but there's a lot less of it and is is not injected but oozes from glands onto the teeth. These teeth do often break off in the wound and frequently cause infection which is usually treated with antibiotics. Seems like this person likely had some sort of hypersensitivity or had other medical issues. Fatalities are rare, but complications and infection is common. Possibly he was immunocompromised.


Thanks for the comments. I'm curious what herps you raise, or have raised?

I encountered a few Gila monsters around Patagonia, AZ, when I lived and hiked the desert forests there. I was careful not to get close. A lady south of town regularly had a couple that fed on mice and some birds around her bird feeder area. Roadrunners would also feed there. I've read accounts about Gila monsters and Roadrunners preying upon one another.

I remember old westerns that featured Gila's killing unaware cowboys, usually the bad guys.

Recently, I met the herp specialist for CPW. I'm sure she's smart enough to not raise Gila monsters in her home with kids.

[flogger]

I remember those old western movies, something like "... once you get bit, even if you cut their head off, they won't let go till sundown...".

[Clint45]

Thanks for the comments. I'm curious what herps you raise, or have raised?

I encountered a few Gila monsters around Patagonia, AZ, when I lived and hiked the desert forests there. I was careful not to get close. A lady south of town regularly had a couple that fed on mice and some birds around her bird feeder area. Roadrunners would also feed there. I've read accounts about Gila monsters and Roadrunners preying upon one another.

I remember old westerns that featured Gila's killing unaware cowboys, usually the bad guys.

Recently, I met the herp specialist for CPW. I'm sure she's smart enough to not raise Gila monsters in her home with kids.

My ex has a bearded dragon.

A few friends had iguanas and boa constrictors.

They are a LOT of work and very expensive to maintain.

We know of many people who just buy a hatchling cheap at a store then let it die through neglect.

[rondog]

Fuck that, I'll stick with my Beagle.

[Delfuego]

You can take my Gila Monster from my cold dead hands...