The Gila Monster

0:38 Oh hi, wild and kind kids.

0:41unknown Hi.

0:42 Are you ready to amble?

0:44 Wait, what? What's ambling?

0:46 Okay, stick with me. Today we're headed to the desert where the days are hot and the shade can be hard to find. And we are on the trail for something to eat. So if you've got room to move, I want you to get low to the ground and walk on all fours. Think about how low can your belly go? And if you're buckled in a car seat, you can do this one right where you are.

1:11 Just get those shoulders ready to sway. Okay, so an amble is kind of a slow movement. As you move, I want you to sway back and forth. Now remember, an amble is slow. So keep moving, keep swaying, but keep it slow. We're swaying from side to side. We are not food. We're not in a huge hurry. Alright, I want you to imagine you've got a big heavy tail behind you.

1:45 Let's kind of sway it back and forth. Nice hip movement, Lincoln. Alright, Lizie, can you sway that tail? Oh, very nice. A little longer. Alright. How did that feel?

1:59 It felt weird. It felt weird.

2:02 Well, just then you were moving almost exactly like today's animal. Who would move that slow through the desert? Let's get learning. I'm Carrie, and I grew up on a zoo.

2:18 I'm Lincoln. I'm Eiza. And we're a wild about animals. Welcome to the Wild and Kind Kids Podcast.

2:32 Well, hello, Lincoln and Eliza. Hi, Mom. Today's animal was requested by not one kid, not two kids, but five wild and kind listeners. Elijah, Huck, Jace, Colt, and Cora.

2:49 Whew! Hi Elijah. Hi Huck. Hi Jace. Hi Colt. Hi, Cora.

2:55 Let's see if our listeners can guess what animal five kids requested. Here are three clues. Clue number one, today's animal is a lizard, and it is the largest lizard native to the United States.

3:10 Hmm.

3:11 Clue number two, they have a snorty hiss, which might have helped inspire their monstrous name. And clue number three, they are one of only a small number of lizards in the world that are venomous. Alright, you all know what it is. What is it?

3:30 He monster.

3:33 Yes. Now the name monster might make you picture something enormous. But in reality, Gila monsters can grow to be about 22 inches long, the length of a newborn baby if you have a little sibling. But that's still pretty big for a lizard in North America. They walk low to the ground with short, sturdy legs, a broad head, and a big, thick tail.

4:01 And their bodies are covered with patches and bands of black mixed with pink, orange, or yellow. And if you ran into one of them in the wild, you might notice it flicking its forked tongue in and out. That's how Gila monsters collect tiny scent particles from the world around them, just like we talked about in our Komodo Dragon episode, and they use a special organ at the roof of their mouths to figure out what they're smelling.

4:29 It's almost like they're tasting the air. But if you wanted to see a Gila monster in the wild, you'd have to amble all the way down to the deserts of the American Southwest and Northwestern Mexico. But Lincoln and Eliza, what did you learn about the Gila monster?

4:48 They can bite down and hold for more than 10 minutes. Ten minutes, y'all. Ten minutes.

4:55 Yes, that is true. Gila monsters have incredibly strong jaws. So when they bite, they can hold on for a very long time. And if that wasn't enough to make you shiver, they have venom. So first, a quick refresher on venom versus poison. Can anybody tell me the difference?

5:17 Venom gets injected into you, and poison you have to like touch something or eat something.

5:25 Yeah. A helpful way to think about it is if an animal bites you or stings you to deliver it, it's venom. If you eat it or touch it, it's poison. And Gila monsters are one of the world's few venomous lizards. Now, Gila monsters don't have hollow fangs like many venomous snakes. Instead, and this is super cool, they have these special grooves in their lower teeth.

5:52 So when they bite and chew, the venom moves from these glands in their lower jaws and it flows along those grooves and into the wound. And that venom can be powerful. Scientists have found that it's roughly as toxic as the venom of a western diamondback rattlesnake. But Gila monsters usually deliver much less venom when they bite.

6:16 And one final fact while we're talking about all things Gila monster saliva and venom, because I thought this was super cool. Scientists actually discovered a substance called exendin 4 in Gila Monster saliva. And that substance helped them develop a medicine for people with type 2 diabetes. Now, just to be clear, nobody is going around collecting Gila Monster spit to make today's medicine.

6:43 Scientists just learned from the Gila Monster, and that medicine is manufactured instead. So cool. What else, y'all?

6:51 They spend most of their lives underground.

6:55 Yeah, and this is kind of wild. Scientists think they spend up to 95% of their lives underground. Think about that. If we squeezed all the time a Gila monster spends above ground into one part of the year, it would add up to only about three weeks. I have to leave my house more than three weeks a year.

7:19 But all of this makes sense if you think about where they live. Gila monsters live in incredibly hot environments. So spending time in an underground burrow or a rocky shelter helps them escape the heat and conserve their energy. And so when they do venture out, it's usually to look for food or to find a mate.

7:41 Okay, y'all, what else?

7:43 They can wrestle for hours, hours and hours on end.

7:47 For Gila monsters, these wrestling matches are all about competition between the males. When they are looking for a mate, they try to show off how tough they are by wrestling with other males. They, you know, they can't really use their arms, so you see them flop their bodies around. They might twist, they might push, they might try to pin their opponent to the ground.

8:11 And these matches can go on for hours. Scientists even documented a match that lasted 12 hours. Can you imagine wrestling for 12 hours? I would need a very long nap afterward. Okay, one more fact, y'all.

8:30 They are super bumpy and dressed for Halloween.

8:34 Yes. So earlier we mentioned that Gila monsters are black with patches and bands of orange, pink, or yellow. They look ready for spooky season. But those bright colors are not a Halloween costume. They actually serve as a warning to tell other animals to stay away. And if you look really closely, you'll notice that Gila monsters have all these little bumps covering their bodies.

9:03 Underneath those scales are tiny bony plates called osteoderms. They help protect the Gila monster, almost like a built-in suit of armor, which, you know, probably comes in handy if you're wrestling for hours. But don't worry, y'all, there's no wrestling required for our next adventure. Just a little trip to the desert.

9:28 It's time for our story of the day. And tumbleweeds rolled wherever the wind told them to. Dry Gulch was like a lot of dusty western towns. The sun beat down on cracked earth. Critters scurried from shadow to shadow, looking for even the tiniest escape from the heat. And when the rains came, and oh they came, the whole desert seemed to wake up.

10:27 But on this particular morning, it wasn't rain that was coming. It was trouble. It appeared to be something slow. And it was definitely quite bumpy. Its bright black and orange colors seemed to scream danger. And as the stranger came into view, the animals of Dry Gulch stopped what they were doing. Prairie Dog squinted toward the horizon.

11:07 Jackrabbit's ears shot straight up. Roadrunner froze in his tracks because Amblin' toward town was a kilomonster. A gila monster whispered Jack Rabbit. Roadrunner gulped.

11:36 I've heard about those. Me too, said Prairie Dog. I heard they're venomous.

11:47 Jack Rabbit's eyes widened. I heard they bite. Roadrunner leaned closer.

11:57 I heard when they bite, they don't let go.

12:05 Everyone gasped. Then Prairie Dog lowered her head.

12:12 Well, I heard they can swallow a horse.

12:20 Everyone stared at her. A horse? said Jack Rabbit. Prairie Dog thought about it. Maybe it was a mouse. Those are very different animals. They all looked back toward the horizon. The Gila monster was still coming.

12:46 Oh no!

12:47 Run for your lives Wood Which was unfortunate because the animals of Dry Gulch should have been very busy that day. Today was the biggest celebration of the whole spring. The Dry Gulch Desert Bloom Festival. Every spring, after the rains had come and gone, something wonderful happened in the desert. Flowers appeared, purple ones, yellow ones, orange ones, tiny flowers tucked between rocks, big flowers stretching toward the sun.

13:29 And right in the middle of town stood the pride of Dry Gulch, the grand golden poppy. It was tall, it was bright, it was beautiful, and that evening the whole town would gather to celebrate it. But right now, Roadrunner ducked behind the pie table. Prairie dog disappeared into her burrow, and Jack Rabbit tried to hide behind a cactus.

13:59 Ow and Main Street went silent. Until finally that Gila monster reached town. He looked around. Flower garlands hung from every building. Tables were covered with pies. A giant sign stretched across Main Street. Welcome to the Dry Gulch Desert Bloom Festival. The Gila Monster smiled at the empty street.

14:37 Made it. Behind the pie table, Jack Rabbit peeked out. The Gila monster turned to stare at him. The Gela Monster stepped closer. Jack Rabbit squeezed his eyes shut. This was it. The venom the bite The not letting go. The steps were getting closer. Jack Rabbit opened one eye. The Gila monster was now right in front of him.

15:14 I believe you drop this. He held out Jack Rabbit's hat. Oh Jack Rabbit took it.

15:23 Well thank you, thank you very much.

15:25 Pleasure. Name's Gus.

15:28 Well my name's Jack Rabbit.

15:30 Nice to meet you, Jack Rabbit.

15:33 And with that, Gus ambled away as Jack Rabbit stared after him. Huh. All afternoon, Gus wandered around the desert bloom festival, and all afternoon the animals watched him. From a distance. A very safe distance. At the lemonade stand, Gus approached Prairie Dog. Gus opened his mouth. Prairie Dog screamed.

16:10 Gus jumped.

16:12 What? Your mouth. What about it? You opened it? I was gonna ask for a lemonade. Oh. Would you like some lemonade? Very much.

16:30 Later, Gus spotted Roadrunner beside the flower garlands. He stepped closer. He leaned in. Roadrunner's eyes widened. Gus stopped.

16:49 What? You look on a dummy. You have a flower on your head?

16:56 Roadrunner blinked.

16:58 I do. Little yellow one. Oh.

17:03 Gus smiled.

17:05 Looks nice. Thank you. My pleasure.

17:12 By late afternoon, the animals of Dry Gulch were beginning to wonder who was this Gus anyway? Why was he pretending to be nice? Was he just waiting before he decided to strike? He said please. He said thank you. He complimented Roadrunner's flower. He even helped Prairie Dog with a very heavy pitcher of lemonade.

17:36 What a monster. What was the big idea? Just then, a gust of wind, like they had never seen, tore through Main Street. Hats flew, napkins took to the sky, flowers tumbled by. Shouted Jack Rabbit. The festival garlands snapped and twisted. Tables shook. The giant festival sign swung sideways. And in the center of town, the little tent protecting the grand golden poppy began to pull loose.

18:15 Prairie dog gasped.

18:17unknown The grand bloom!

18:19 One of the tent's ropes had come free. It whipped through the air. The grand golden poppy bent beneath it. Their prize-winning flower was grand for sure, but it wasn't strong enough to stand alone in these winds.

18:36 If that canopy goes, shouted Prairie Dog, it'll take the grand bloom with it.

18:43 Jack Rabbit leapt for the rope.

18:46 I've got it!

18:47 He landed with a thud.

18:50 I don't got it.

18:52 The rope ripped from his paws. Roadrunner raced after it.

18:58unknown I've got it.

18:59 Then Roadrunner fell too.

19:02 I said Don't got it.

19:04 Prairie Dog jumped.

19:06 I've got it!

19:08 And Prairie Dog grabbed the rope and immediately went sailing through the air. Everyone watched helplessly as Prairie Dog flew into the air.

19:22 Somebody get a prairie dog!

19:25 Then they watched with even more panic as Gus began to rush toward the rope.

19:33 He opened his mouth. Prairie Dog's eyes went wide. This is it! He's gonna bite!

19:41 And true enough, Gus opened his mouth and clamped his jaws around the rope of the low prairie dog. The rope pulled tight, stopping Prairie Dog from flying any farther. Prairie dog scrambled down the rope and landed safely in the dirt. But the wind was still pulling at the tent, and Gus was still holding on.

20:07 His feet slid through the dirt, but his jaw stayed clamped. Gus! Gus looked at him with a mouthful of rope. Everybody! Help Gus! Jackrabbit grabbed the rope behind Gus. Roadrunner grabbed the rope behind Jackrabbit, and Rattlesnake slithered toward the post. The wind howled, the animals pulled, and Gus held on.

20:37 While everyone else held the rope steady, Rattlesnake wrapped the loose end around the post. Once, twice, three times, he pulled it into a tight knot. And it held. The tent settled back into place. The grand golden poppy slowly straightened. Safe. And for a moment, nobody moved. Then all the animals slowly let go of the rope.

21:12 Gus was the last to drop it from his mouth. Everyone stared at him. The prairie dog stepped closer.

21:23 You you saved me. You bit and you you didn't let go. Just like everyone said.

21:31 Gus thought for a moment, and then he grinned.

21:35 I guess that rumor might be a little bit true.

21:38 Everyone laughed. Jackrabbit walked over to Gus.

21:43 Well, Gus, I reckon we owe you an apology.

21:48 Gus tilted his head. We heard some things about Gila monsters. True things. You are venomous. Gus nodded.

21:59 I am. And you can bite. Sure can.

22:05 And apparently Jack Rabbit looked at the rope. You really can hold on. Gus smiled. Sometimes. Jack Rabbit rubbed the back of his neck. But I guess knowing a few things about Gila monsters isn't the same as knowing you. Gus smiled. Nope. Gus looked around.

22:34 Well, there is one more thing you should probably know.

22:37 About me everyone froze. Gus lowered his voice.

22:45 I am Prairie Dog gulped. Very fond of pa.

22:53 Jack Rabbit smiled. Well, partner, you came to the right town. In today's story, the role of Gus was voiced by Lincoln. Eliza was our roadrunner. John was the jackrabbit, and Carrie narrated the story and played the role of Prairie Dog. And like always, today's story has a real science connection. Remember all those rumors the animals of Dry Gulch had heard about Gus?

23:34 Well, most of those rumors were true. What the animals got wrong was what those facts meant.

23:42 Venomous. True. Powerful bite? True.

23:48 Walking into town looking for things to bite?

23:51 Not necessarily.

23:53 Because Gila monsters belong in what I'm calling the back off, don't attack club. Gila monsters have some pretty powerful ways to protect themselves. And when they feel threatened, they may even open their mouths wide and make a loud hissing sound. Can you all hiss for me? Yes, it's like you're telling me, back off, lady.

24:24 And if that warning doesn't work, they can use that powerful bite and venom to defend themselves. But heal of monsters are actually pretty shy. They usually aren't looking for a fight, and they're much more likely to bite if they feel threatened, trapped, or if someone tries to pick them up. So the animals of Dry Gulch were right to be careful around Gus.

24:48 Gela monsters are wild animals, and their bites can be dangerous. But being careful around an animal doesn't mean we have to be afraid of it. We can appreciate these incredible lizards and give them the space they need to stay wild.

25:05 Now it's time for your Wild and Kind Mission.

25:11 If you are ever lucky enough to spot a Hila monster in the wild, one of the best things you can do to help it is pretty simple.

25:19 Give wildlife room to roam.

25:23 That's right. Don't touch it, chase it, pick it up, or try to move it. Keep your distance and tell a grown-up. Because unfortunately, people are one of the biggest threats to Gila monsters. Sometimes people hurt them because they're afraid. Other times people capture them to keep or to sell as pets. But we can help protect them by letting them be wild.

25:49 And wild and kind kids, this mission isn't just for Gila monsters. It's a great rule for all wildlife. We can be curious, we can watch, we can learn. But sometimes the kindest thing we can do for a wild animal is to simply let it be wild.

26:11 Before we go, it's time for wild and kind trivia.

26:16 Last week, we shared a riddle about an animal we haven't covered yet. Here's a refresher.

26:23 I have a long name just like my body. I'm the longest snake in the world. Who am I?

26:30 That was the reticulated python. They can grow to be up to 26 feet long. Some people even say they've seen them be 33 feet long. Y'all, that is one very long snake. But are you ready for another chance to test your animal smarts? Here we go.

26:52 I have eight legs, but I'm no spider small. I'm hairy and mighty but not very tall. I hide in the rainforest high up in a tree. And sometimes eat birds though insects suit me. I'm one of the largest spiders you'll see. Debate it with your family and tune in next time to hear the answer. See you then, long time kids.

27:24 This podcast is produced by John, also known as Lincoln and Eliza's dad. If you're enjoying these adventures, please subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave us a review and tell your friends. To find a coloring sheet for today's creature, explore more episodes, or request an animal for a future story, visit wildandkindkids.

27:57 Thanks for exploring with us, friends. Until next time.