Gila Information Page

Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum). Photo by Diane Joy Schmidt taken with the cooperation of Craig Ivanyi, assistant curator of Herpetology and Ichthyology at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The Gila Monster, and the closely related Mexican beaded lizard, are the only poisonous lizards in the world. From”Outreach UA”, The University of Arizona, Volume 2, Number 1

Gila Monster – With the possible exception of the vampire bat, no North American animal has been the source of more superstitions, legends, and exaggerated claims than the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum). Not only is the Gila monster America’s only poisonous lizard, it is the only reptile having an armored hide, and the only lizard with a forked tongue like a snake’s. No biologist has yet discovered a Gila monster nest or observed a Gila monster hatching in the wild.Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), one of only two species of venomous lizards, both of the family Helodermatidae and both similar in appearance and habits.강남출장안마
The Gila monster was named for the Gila River Basin and occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows to about 50 centimetres (about 20 inches), is stout-bodied with black and pink blotches or bands, and has beadlike scales. Its relative, the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum), is slightly larger (to 80 cm) and darker. During warm weather the Gila monster feeds at night on small mammals, birds, and eggs. Fat stored in the tail and abdomen at this time is utilized during the winter months. Both species of Heloderma are sluggish in habit, but they have a strong bite. Most of the teeth have two grooves that conduct the venom, a nerve poison, from glands in the lower jaw. Fatalities to humans are rare.서울출장안마

The gila monster and the closely related Mexican beaded lizard are the only kown venomous lizards in the world. These heavy bodied lizards are easily distinguished from nonvenomous species by the bead-like surface and yellow or coral colored pattern of their skin. They are described as docile reptiles, not prone to attacking humans unless significantly agitated. State laws protect these fascinating animals from being captured or held in any manner. Gila monsters have the well-earned reputation of delivering a tenacious bite. Most serious envenomations have occurred when the lower jaws have secured a firm hold on the victim for several minutes. These large reptiles have a well-deserved reputation for clamping down on a victim with its teeth and not letting go!부산출장안마

Gila MonsterThe bite is described as extremely painful, although pain is generally confined to the area of the bite initially. Victims may also experience localized swelling, nausea, vomiting, hypertension, weakness, faintness, excessive persperation, chills, and fever. When bitten, it is important to disengage the lizard as soon as possible. This may be done by placing a strong stick between the bitten part and the back of the lizard’s mouth and pushing against the rear of the jaw. If this doesn’t work, emersion in water may make it release its hold. The brittle teeth of the gila monster may remain imbedded in the wound and must be removed by a medical professional.

First aid in the field should include allowing the wound to bleed freely, irrigating the wound with plenty of water, immobilizing the affected limb at heart level, and reassuring the patient. all patients with a gila monster bite should be referred to a health care facility. The wound should be carefully explored for broken teeth. It is important to ensure that tetanus immunization is up-to-date and that the patient be observed for signs and symptoms of infection.


Other Than The Cars…
Not Much Has Changed
I found these pictures somewhere on the Internet but don’t remember where. If you know who to give credit for these pictures e-mail me & I will publish it.

 

Grant County  Southwestern New Mexico, U.S., a scenic region bordered on the west by Arizona. The Continental Divide crosses the county. The wide northern section of Grant county lies for the most part in the Datil section of the Colorado Plateaus, an area including the Mogollon, Mule, Mimbres, and Black Range mountains.대구출장안마
 The Gila River flows westward across the northern portion of the county. The long, narrow southern section of the county includes the Big Burro Mountains. The county’s mountainous areas are in the Gila National Forest, with the highest sections in the Gila and Aldo Leopold wildernesses. City of Rocks State Park is located in the county.
 Nomadic groups of Apache Indians lived in the region for centuries, refusing to recognize Spanish, Mexican, or U.S. claims of ownership. Development of the region’s mineral resources began with a copper mine established by the Spanish in the early 1800s. Led by Chief Mangas Coloradas, Apaches attacked white prospectors and farmers who arrived after the mid-19th century and who proliferated after gold was discovered in 1860.광주출장안마
 Fort Bayard was established in 1866 to provide protection. Grant County was created in 1868. Silver City, originally a mining camp, is the county seat and the site of Western New Mexico University (founded 1893). Though ore deposits approached depletion in the late 20th century, copper mining remained the principal element in the economy, to which tourism, cattle ranching, and government employment also contribute. Area 3,966 square miles (10,272 square km). Pop. (1990) 27,676.

Fish Hatchery In Glenwood NM, Courtesy of the Glenwood Chamber Of Commerce Website
Scenary In Glenwood NM, Courtesy of the Glenwood Chamber Of Commerce Website

Catron County – Western New Mexico, U.S., bordered on the west by Arizona. It is a scenic, largely undeveloped region in the Datil section of the Colorado Plateau, with the Plains of San Augustin in the east.
 The Continental Divide winds through the county. Most of the area consists of mesas and mountains, including the Mogollon, Black, Tularosa, Sawtooth, Saliz, Gallo, Mangas, San Francisco, and Datil ranges. Allegros and Grouse mountains, Whitewater Baldy, and Mogollon Baldy peaks rise to over 10,000 feet (3,000 m).
 Many canyons contain only dry creeks, but the Tularosa and San Francisco Rivers run through Catron county, which also includes Quemado, Snow, and Wall lakes. The Cibola, Apache, and Gila national forests cover over half the area.
 A portion of the Gila National Forest is the oldest declared wilderness (1924) in the United States. At Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, in a canyon near the Gila River, are remnants of an Indian culture that existed in the area from about Ad 100 to 1300. By the 16th century, Apaches roamed the area, and it was a refuge for Chiricahua Apaches in the 19th century.
 Mormon ranchers settled in the region in the 1860s, despite Apache raids. After silver was discovered nearby in the 1870s, Mogollon became a brawling mining town.인천출장안마
 Catron County was established in 1921, with the former mining town of Reserve as the county seat. Cattle ranching and government employment are the bases of the economy. Area 6,928 square 
miles (17,944 square km). Pop. (1990) 2,563.