Any heladerma keepers out there?

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Aw3s0m3

Aw3s0m3

Piranha
MFK Member
May 6, 2012
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Over there
I just got this little one last week and I absolutely love her!!! Heladerma horridum exasperatum or the Rio Fuerte Mexicsn Beaded Lizard. I'm just gonna call her a she cuz I honestly dunno what sex she is but she's insanely cage aggressive but once out she's extremely mellow. Lemme see what you guys have!

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I've never kept heladerma's but I know there venomous. with you free handing her like that have you been bit yet?

I keep savannah monitors a bit more active not as bad of a bite.
 
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I have always wanted either a beaded or a Gila and they are definitely on my bucket list.Brave soul...I have never seen anyone handle one,especially with unprotected hands.
 
They're illegal here but I've seen them at various reptile shows across the Midwest. Always wanted one but can't:(
 
Thanks guys and no, I haven't been bit yet. She's actually extremely calm when I hold her and give her absolutely no reason to feel threatened. Just kinda let her walk all over wherever she wants.

Blonde: I got her from a breeder that's about an hour north of me I met at a reptile expo. A Gila is actually what I've always wanted but they're illegal here in Cali.

Krich: I've actually only seen people handle them without gloves haha. Always adults though. I've never actually seen people handle babies like this one but Ik they do cuz how else would they get their adults so tame.

FYI guys, just so you know this girl isn't so tame that I can literally just reach in her cage and grab her. She's extremely defensive and quick to try and bite. Just like any animal I never surprise her. I will take a pen or the back end of my feeding tongs and rub her side to let her know I'm there and then I carefully grab her by the tail and slide my hand under her from behind and just lift her up.
 
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reptilerancher said:
I've never kept heladerma's but I know there venomous. with you free handing her like that have you been bit yet?

I keep savannah monitors a bit more active not as bad of a bite.
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tlindsey said:
Nice Beaded lizard:) Personally I would be handling her with thick gloves on .
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The LD-50 charts rate Helodermatidae's venom at about the same toxicity of a Cobra. This means drop for drop, not who has the most or the biggest venom/glands/delivery, etc. They are rear-fanged with the grooved fangs being located on the mandible rather than the maxillary as in snakes. Typical of any rear-fanged reptile, they generally need to chew on you a bit to envenom you, however with the vice-grip possessed by these lizards, that would not be difficult. Losing respect for this animal or underestimating it because it seems "nice" can be FATAL. Does it happen often? No, but don't ever forget that it could if you get caught slipping.

It's a beautiful lizard, and a unique locale to obtain. Take care of her, but don't forget how toxic that venom really is. You should have antivenin in your freezer in case of emergency. All she has to do is something unexpected while your grabbing her out or changing bedding/water......I've seen it happen to people that swore it would never happen to them....I got lotsa buddies in the business missing fingers or parts of fingers lol Respect the raw power of Mother Nature. The moment you stop respecting it, is when it shows you it's ugly side.
 
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Frank Castle said:
The LD-50 charts rate Helodermatidae's venom at about the same toxicity of a Cobra. This means drop for drop, not who has the most or the biggest venom/glands/delivery, etc. They are rear-fanged with the grooved fangs being located on the mandible rather than the maxillary as in snakes. Typical of any rear-fanged reptile, they generally need to chew on you a bit to envenom you, however with the vice-grip possessed by these lizards, that would not be difficult. Losing respect for this animal or underestimating it because it seems "nice" can be FATAL. Does it happen often? No, but don't ever forget that it could if you get caught slipping.

It's a beautiful lizard, and a unique locale to obtain. Take care of her, but don't forget how toxic that venom really is. You should have antivenin in your freezer in case of emergency. All she has to do is something unexpected while your grabbing her out or changing bedding/water......I've seen it happen to people that swore it would never happen to them....I got lotsa buddies in the business missing fingers or parts of fingers lol Respect the raw power of Mother Nature. The moment you stop respecting it, is when it shows you it's ugly side.
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Can you show me some articles or references to prove that there have been fatalities? From the best of my knowledge, and the experts I've spoken to, there hasn't been any deaths on record from a bite from these or Gila's and there is also no antivenin for these guys at all. Yes, their venom is neurotoxic, attacking the nerves, like Cobras, mambas and kraits but their venom is used strictly for defense, not immobilizing prey. I'm not challenging your knowledge at all so no disrespect. I'm just curious bc I am also a member of multiple heloderma groups and no one has ever heard or seen reports or instances of someone actually dying from a bite. Yes, they do state to treat all bites as a medical emergency bc you never know how your body will react and whether you are allergic or not.
 
Aw3s0m3 said:
Can you show me some articles or references to prove that there have been fatalities? From the best of my knowledge, and the experts I've spoken to, there hasn't been any deaths on record from a bite from these or Gila's and there is also no antivenin for these guys at all. Yes, their venom is neurotoxic, attacking the nerves, like Cobras, mambas and kraits but their venom is used strictly for defense, not immobilizing prey. I'm not challenging your knowledge at all so no disrespect. I'm just curious bc I am also a member of multiple heloderma groups and no one has ever heard or seen reports or instances of someone actually dying from a bite. Yes, they do state to treat all bites as a medical emergency bc you never know how your body will react and whether you are allergic or not.
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Do those reports cover the "untamed" areas of Mexico and Central America where just like SE ASIA and Africa, a lot of deaths and disappearances go unreported or just plain unknown? I can't provide proof that they have killed people that have been documented, but proof enough for me is being as toxic as a Cobra regardless what they use the venom "for". It's still a highly potent neurotoxin and that's the only point I care to make. :)

As far as literature, what I CAN possibly find is the chart that rates the toxicity of the venom if that interests you. Like I said, it's probably not going to kill you, but just don't ever forget that it CAN. Once the jaws lock, it could be hours before they let go. Have you ever felt that before? It just holds firm and keeps pumping your system full of venom. At the toxicity of a Cobra, how much of that do you think it takes?

Seriously, they are like Pitbulls, Bro....you ever been bit by a large Monitor lizard? It's very very much not a joke
 
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