GILA MONSTER: Discerning Fact from Fiction

A striking sight with her beaded skin of pink and black, Gila Monster blends well into her desert home in Arizona. This sluggish-seeming lizard intently flicks her tongue to detect a tasty mouse. At other times, She adroitly climbs the cactus with her sharp claws to hunt for perching birds. Tasting the air with her forked tongue, Gila Monster finds Desert Rat, and quickly chomps down with her vice-like jaws. Then She swallows her paralyzed victim whole and head first.

Gila Monster with her Brother – Mexican Beaded Lizard – are the only venomous lizards (Helodermatidae) in the world. Because of their venom and forked tongues, Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) and her Brother (Heloderma horridum ) are distant relatives of snakes. These two lizards are also close relatives to monitor lizards (Varanidae), who possess poisonous saliva, and could be ancestors of snakes. These two beaded lizards have an ancient ancestry, extending back to the mid-Cretaceous.

Contrary to popular belief, Gila Monster uses her venom for defense and not to hunt with. When She is angry, Gila Monster will open her mouth very wide and hiss. When She does this, her venom is pumped from her salivary glands into her grooved teeth. Thus when She bites Coyote, and clamps down hard, her venom flows into his wound. Locking her jaws, Gila Monster will hang on until Coyote howls in pain. After making her point, She then lets go. Learning his lesson, Coyote limps off.

Reclusive Gila Monster spends much of her time in her burrow. Digging deep with her heavy claws, She creates a snug home for herself. In the extreme heat of summer and cold of winter, Gila Monster rarely leaves it. The springtime is when She feasts. The rest of the year, Gila Monster lives off the fat contained in her large wide tail. (Her tail acts like a camel’s hump, storing food instead of water.)

Poorly understood, Gila Monster is the subject of many myths. More than that, these stories about Her are presented as facts. For example, Gila Monster does have powerful jaws and a tenacious bite. From this comes the legend, “Once She clamps her jaw on something, Gila Monster will not let go before sundown.” That is patently untrue. Other myths state that Gila Monster can kill with her bad breath, and has no anal opening. None of these silly stories are true, but they often get repeated as facts.

Another legend informs people that Gila Monster is a killer. Yes, her venom is toxic, but a human can easily avoid her bite. Old timers in Arizona say that only an idiot gets bitten. They add that said idiot would have to place Her on his bare leg, then annoy Her until Gila Monster bites. In other words, the said idiot would want to be bitten.

Sluggish in appearance, Gila Monster can suddenly turn and bite, usually when She senses a tasty meal. She warns those who would disturb Her, so that they leave Gila Monster alone. Separating fact from fiction is what Gila Monster teaches. Inspired by her tenacity, you can hang on for the truth. Before repeating something, discover whether it is false first. Some fiction comes disguised as the truth. Do not be an idiot counsels Gila Monster.

EUROPEAN ADDER (NORTHERN VIPER): Warriorship

The shy European Adder is the only venomous Snake who lives in cold climates.  Living around the Arctic Circle, He shares his winter den (hibernaculum) with thirty or more Snakes.  Sometimes other Reptiles will join Them.  (His den is usually a burrow of another animal.)

            Known for his “mating dance”, European Adder does ritual combat with other Males.  Facing his rival, He will lift the front of his body off the ground.  Swaying from side to side, the two Adders wrap Themselves around the other.  In a snake version of arm wrestling, each Snake tries to force the other to the ground.  Finally, the exhausted Male lands on the ground and slinks off.  Afterwards, the victorious Male will mate with Female European Adder.

            This ritualized combat became known as “Adder Dancing”.  According to British folklore, on May’s eve, European Adders met for a battle royal.  Writhing and hissing, the multitude of fighting Snakes covered the battleground with the froth from their battle.

            Lying in the midst of the battlefield is the “Adder Stone.  The name of this round pale green stone is the “Glain Neidr” (the Glass of the Serpents).  Since this stone contains great power, the possessor of it will be victorious over their enemies.

            European Adder is a warrior.  He fights with other Males, but no one dies needlessly.  During his battle royal, a precious gem is formed.  When spying a human, European Adder will flee instead of forcing a confrontation.  Learn the positive aspects of being a warrior from European Adder.  Fight only when you need to.

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VIPER FAMILY (Viperidae): Appreciate Your Talents

Vipers (Adders, Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and Rattlesnakes) are the Snakes that people of the Northern Hemisphere are the most acquainted with.  Found nearly everywhere except in Australia and various islands countries, these stocky Snakes live in cold regions as well.  Usually identified by their triangular heads and short tails, Vipers, also, have long-hinged fangs unlike Cobras.

            Another difference between Cobras and Vipers is their venom.  To cause death in their victims, the venom of Cobras paralyzes the muscles.  Meanwhile, Viper venom causes the collapse of blood pressure of their prey.  Since Vipers have weak digestive system, their venom also breaks down the proteins as well in the victim’s body.

            Scientists have divided the Viper Family into several groups.  Found in the mountains of Asia, Fea’s Vipers (Azemiopinae) flatten their bodies to make Themselves wider.  One of the most primitive of Vipers is the Night Adder (Causinae).  Meanwhile, Pit Vipers (Crotalinae) have a heat sensitive organ (pit) between their eyes and nostrils.  This pit organ gives Them a sixth sense, a sort of primitive eye, which aids these Snakes in finding their prey.  True Vipers or Pitless Vipers (Viperinae) include the Adders, Bush Vipers, Horned Vipers, and Puff Adders.  Since these Snakes have a better tolerance for cold than most Snakes, They can live within the Arctic Circle.

            Scientists have noticed that various Vipers make decisions about using their venom on their prey.  By considering a multitude of factors, Each Snake figures how much to inject.  They usually assess the prey’s species, size, and threat level.  For instance, a large animal may not require as much as a smaller one, depending on the species.

            Appreciate your talents teaches the Viper Family.  Pit Vipers use their “sixth sense” to hunt their prey.  Tolerating the cold, Common Adders burrow deep into the earth during Arctic winters to survive.  Furthermore, many Vipers use their intelligence to decide how much venom to inject into their victims.  Appreciate your talents and use them well.

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KING COBRA: Wise Use of Power

The largest venomous Snake in the world is King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) of India. Devout Hindus consider King Cobra to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva – the God of Destruction and Regeneration. In India, this Snake is revered and is a part of many sacred rites. Some consider King Cobra to be the reincarnation of important people called Nagas ('warrior ascetics').

King Cobra is capable of delivering more venom than any other snake except for Gaboon Viper. She attacks the nervous system, and usually kills within fifteen minutes. Mother King Cobra is most aggressive when guarding her eggs. Therefore, in India, if a nest is found near a village, the area will be evacuated.

Shy and solitary, King Cobra is usually reluctant to attack.  However during nesting season, She will confront everyone.  Mother King Cobra zealously guards her eggs.  Because She is apt to eat her young, Mother King Cobra will leave her nest.

King Cobra demonstrates the wise use of power.  Fierce and aggressive when nesting, She knows her limits and leaves her young.  The longest of the venomous Snakes, King Cobra eats other Snakes.  Remember to take care and learn your limits of using power.

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COBRA FAMILY (ELAPIDAE): Power of Life and Death

The Cobra (Elapidae) Family, comprising of Cobras, Coral Snakes, Mambas, and Kraits, are the most deadly of Snakes. People should understand that “Cobra” is a common name for a wide variety of hooded snakes.  The genus, Naja, contains the species that most epitomize “Cobras”—fast, graceful, and with an extended hood. Most people are familiar with Cobras, through the pictures of snake charmers.

Living everywhere except in Europe, Elapidae are active hunters who possess large hollow fangs, that contain venom.  All these Snakes can kill in a single bite.  The “spitting” Cobras that actually squirt their venom are dangerous as well.  All the Elapidae are fatal to humans.

The Cobra Family does teach about the power of life and death. Knowledge of their habits can save your life. Remember to learn all you can before going into a dangerous area.

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