Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: JimBob on 26/05/2006 21:45:04
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Venom found to be widespread in lizards
* 19 November 2005
* Emma Young
* Magazine issue 2526
The finding that many lizards - including some that are common pets - are venomous is rewriting the family tree of lizards and snakes
People bitten by their pet lizard can suffer a painful swelling and prolonged bleeding. Infection by bacteria in the lizard's mouth was always assumed to be the cause, but it turns out that many lizards, including some that are common pets, are actually venomous. The finding is rewriting the evolutionary family tree of lizards and snakes.
"To find the classic rattlesnake toxins in the bearded dragon - a hugely popular pet - was a huge surprise," says Bryan Fry at the University of Melbourne, Australia, who led the work.
Venom was considered the preserve of advanced snakes and just two species of lizard, the gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) and the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum). It was thought that these lizards evolved the ability to produce venom independently of the snakes.
Ref:
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/mg18825264.600;jsessionid=PEKEKIHAKIMI
Does anyone know which lizards are involved?
The mind is like a parachute. It works best when open. -- A. Einstein
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i dont know, but i too am curious.
what im wondering though, is how these new lizards with supposed venom get it out, do they have glands like venomous snakes? to be able to use it to hurt humans, their teeth would have to pierce skin anyway, which alot cannot do as well as snakes.
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You say that bearded dragons have venom? I have two and the last time I got bit it went straight threw my thumb nail! and it didnt swell a bit! this guy is huge. huge enough to mistake my thumb for food!He is between 1.5 and 2 feet long head to tip of tail.
Nick
If its not illegal... It's legal!