I saw this Gila Monster crossing the trail at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. I chased it into the creosote bushes to get its photo. It then turned around and opened its powerful jaws trying to frighten me, that's when I chose to not get closer because they are venomous. A Gila monster bite is extremely painful to humans, but it rarely causes death. The biggest problem you might have if a Gila monster bit you is trying to get the lizard to release its grip! Most of the Gila monster's teeth have two grooves that conduct its venom, a neurotoxin, from glands in the lower jaw. The toxin is not injected like that of the snake, but flows into the wound as the lizard chews on its victim.
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