A Gila monster named ‘Winston’ fatally bites a man in Colorado who was keeping the reptile as a pet.
A Colorado man tragically passed away following a bite from his pet Gila monster. Incidents of this nature are uncommon; fatalities resulting from these desert lizards are rare unless their venom is confirmed as the cause.
Christopher Ward, aged 34, was promptly taken to the hospital after being bitten by one of his two pet Gila monsters on February 12. He was placed on life support and unfortunately succumbed on Friday, as announced by Lakewood Police Department spokesperson John Romero on Tuesday.
Officials from the Jefferson County coroner’s office declined to provide details regarding the death, including whether tests had determined if Ward’s passing was due to the venom of the pet or another medical condition.
Subsequent to the event, Ward’s girlfriend surrendered the lizard named Winston and another named Potato to Lakewood animal control officer Leesha Crookston and her team.
As per Crookston’s report, Ward’s girlfriend reported hearing a distressing noise and, upon entering the room, discovered that Winston had bitten Ward’s hand. She recounted that Ward promptly exhibited symptoms, such as vomiting multiple times, eventually losing consciousness and ceasing to breathe.
Ward was admitted to the hospital and placed on life support. Within days, medical professionals pronounced him brain dead.
Allegedly, Ward’s girlfriend informed authorities that Winston was purchased at a reptile exhibition in Denver in October, while Potato was acquired from a breeder in Arizona in November.
The lizards were transferred to Reptile Gardens outside Rapid City, South Dakota, by officers in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, twenty-six spiders of various species found in the residence were relocated to a nearby animal shelter.
As per information available on the organization’s website, the Gila monster is venomous due to glands in its lower jaw secreting venom. Upon biting, the venom is delivered into its prey through small grooves in its teeth. The organization highlighted that a Gila monster bite is painful to humans but seldom results in death.
The Gila monster, though venomous, isn’t much of a threat to humans because it’s slow. Unfortunately, it’s often killed due to fear. Many myths exist about it, like its breath being deadly or it spitting venom like cobras. Different Native American tribes had different beliefs about it, with some fearing it and others believing in its healing powers.
The Gila monster, a lizard known for its venomous bite, awakens in early March and becomes ready to mate at around 4 to 5 years old. Mating occurs in April and May, with males using their tongues to detect females’ scents. After mating, females lay eggs in late May or June, typically producing up to eight eggs per batch.
A surprising discovery in October 2016 revealed that Gila monster eggs hatch in late October and immediately enter hibernation without surfacing. They reemerge in May or June of the following year.
During summer, Gila monsters reduce their time outdoors to avoid extreme heat, and they begin hibernation in October. In captivity, they can live up to 40 years.
Gila monsters engage in male-to-male combat, particularly during mating season, to establish dominance and reproductive success. Despite their slow pace, they possess high endurance, enabling them to sustain intense activity for extended periods.