My Gila Monsters

[Najakeeper]

Hello All,

I got three Heloderma suspectum suspectum hatchings last year and they have been with me for about a year now.

They are amazing animals, with wonderful colors and great personalities. They mellowed down a lot and recognize me easily when I come into the reptile room. They actually seem to enjoy some level of interaction with me and love to get their heads scratched. Currently, they share a large cage but I will seperate them right after their first ever hibernation, which will start in a couple days.

Here are some pictures and videos:

As babies:

Bhenek:

Chengel:

Kashli:

[Najakeeper]

As they are now:

[Najakeeper]

And a video showing how gentle* they are:



Here is a link to my Youtube channel for all of my animals:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Najakeeper

Thanks for watching, liking, subscribing, commenting etc.

*Disclaimer: Gila Monsters are venomous animals and I discourage other people to try my handling techniques.

[jason_ladouceur]

Nice lizards. I kept a small group for a short time years ago but they really weren't my cup of tea. Not sure I would tempt fait by scratching their heads with my bare hands though. A friend of mine had the misfortune of being bit by one years ago, and after seeing what he went through I'm certainly not interested in having that experience for my self.

[Najakeeper]

Nice lizards. I kept a small group for a short time years ago but they really weren't my cup of tea. Not sure I would tempt fait by scratching their heads with my bare hands though. A friend of mine had the misfortune of being bit by one years ago, and after seeing what he went through I'm certainly not interested in having that experience for my self.

Being a complete "hypocrite" in this case, I totally agree with you. No one should try this as these animals are capable of dealing significant hurt.

[Skiploder]

Being a complete "hypocrite" in this case, I totally agree with you. No one should try this as these animals are capable of dealing significant hurt.

I think anyone who keeps heloderma is guilty at one point or another of this type of "hypocrisy".

I live in California, so I cannot keep suspectum or cinctum - but I do keep exasperatum and horridum. I religiously wear either hexarmor hercules or leather gloves when handling the younger ones, but often free handle the larger ones. A hypocrite am I...........as I often caution that they should not be handled without gloves. Whatever, if I can admit to a little hypocrisy so much the better - yes?

As they get older, they tend to become a bit more predictable and tolerant of handling. Younger ones seem to be more prone to defensive hissing and head butting but also seem to eventually outgrow it.

I have been bit - on the middle finger of my left hand - and for about 8 hours it felt like I had slammed my hand in a car door. The bite, by the way was a by a hungry adult who has never shown aggression - but smelled eggs on my hand and took a taste.

I've kept varanids and I've kept heloderma (I no longer keep varanids). For no good reason that I can put reason to I am extremely fond of beadeds - their deliberate movements and seemingly "gentle" demeanor is very endearing to me. They are also easy and undemanding captives.

One of these days I'll post some pics of my little colony. In the meantime Yasin, you have a very attractive group there that are obviously well tended to. I'm glad to see more and more people learning the joys of keeping heloderma.

[jclaiborne]

What are the effects of their venom on a person?

[jason_ladouceur]

What are the effects of their venom on a person?

Gilas venom has evolved primarily for defense. It mainly causes intense pain for the victim of a bite. But it can also as it did for the friend of mine that got bitten cause local necrosis do to infection. But as with any venoms they affect different people in different ways so it's impossible to fully predict how any bite will affect someone.

[Mr Oni]

Beautiful little monkeys you have there. Do throw more pics around.
Its very interesting

[Robyn@SYR]

Awesome pics, awesome species, one of my all time faves : )