Man dies after bite from pet Gila monster, a venomous lizard illegal to own in Nevada
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Colorado man died last week after he was bitten by a pet Gila monster, an animal you can’t own in Las Vegas.
A report from The Associated Press indicates Christopher Ward, 34, died four days after he was put on life support. Within minutes of the lizard biting down on his hand without letting go, Ward was vomiting and couldn’t breathe, according to a report by the animal control officer who interviewed his girlfriend.
The lizard — Winston — was bought at a reptile exhibition in Denver in October, Ward’s girlfriend told authorities. He later bought another Gila monster — Potato — in November from a breeder in Arizona. Both lizards were turned over to a South Dakota reptile sanctuary. Ward’s death may have been the first from a Gila monster in the U.S. in almost a century.
Colorado law requires a permit to own a Gila monster, which Ward did not have. In Nevada, they are a protected species.
Reptile expos are common in Las Vegas. There’s one scheduled for March 2-3 at the Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) monitors shows and events where wildlife is on display “periodically,” according to spokesman Doug Nielsen.
Freddy Caseres, owner of Freddy’s Reptiles at 1729 E. Charleston Blvd., said it’s illegal to sell or own Gila monsters in Nevada. They are a native Nevada species, and the only venomous lizard found in the United States. He said they have a nasty bite.
“Gila monster venom is similar to bee venom,” Caseres said. “It causes nothing but pain.”
Neilson added details. “Unlike a rattlesnake that injects its venom through fangs, a Gila monster delivers its venom through its chewing action. The animal has grooved teeth down which the venom flows while it is chewing what it bites,” he said.
“It’s like getting your hand slammed, caught in a car door,” Arizona State University professor Dale DeNardo told The Associated Press. “Even that initial pain is extended for an hour. Then you get the typical days of soreness, throbbing pain. It’s much worse than any bee, wasp or scorpion.”
But for people who might be allergic to that venom, the problem can be even more serious.
An exhibit at the Springs Preserve displays Gila monsters for visitors to see up close. And the lizards can be found in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. A spokesman said they are most common in the southernmost areas of the park.
Nielsen warns that Gila monsters will bite if provoked. They generally live in rocky habitats and semi-desert grasslands.
“If someone should see one in the wild, they should be grateful for the experience, and maintain a safe and respectful distance to avoid alarming the animal,” Nielsen said. “Cell phones today can take great photos from a reasonable distance. Getting as close as possible is not needed let alone a good idea. They are faster on their feet than one might think and can turn their head rather quickly when needed.”
The bands on a Gila monster are as individual as fingerprints on a human. “Our biologists can use the banding pattern to identify specific animals,” Nielsen said.
And Gila (HE-la) monsters gained visibility in recent years when the Vegas Golden Knights introduced “Chance,” their mascot modeled after the unique lizard. Chance is often at the team’s community events — and the first exposure for many people to the desert-dwelling lizard.
Backstory on VGK mascot ‘Chance’
The team chose a Gila monster as a mascot as a nod to the Nevada ecosystem.
“The Gila monster is the largest North American lizard north of the Mexican border, with skin that has yellow-to-pink splotches on a black surface (Chance’s coloration has been changed to match the Golden Knights’ official colors),” according to The Sporting News.
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