That handsome fellow on the right is a Gila Monster. It is the only venomous lizard in North America. They are slow-moving, not much threat to humans, and steadily becoming more and more scarce.
It turns out their venom can be used in an effective treatment for Type 2 Diabetes. The synthetic drug modeled after the active protein in the venom is called Exanatide.
No matter how clever we humans get, it seems like the vast majority of important discoveries and advancements come straight from nature.
Enjoy learning about another precious substance gleaned right from natures jaws,
Bp
[via Uncle Tom]
1 comment:
You know that I hate to nitpick, however: there are two venomous lizards native to North America: the gila monster (Heloderma suspectum, for the Latinate among us) and the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum, if you must)
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