Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Anton,
Go to your local library and ask them if they have Inter-library Loan, whereby most local/public libraries do have this resource. Then they will order these books for you, usually from local/nearest university libraries where you can then borrow/check them out like a regular library book when they arrive. For Gila/Beaded, I would start with the best book on them, well two of them really (in my opinion):

Bogert, C.M. and Martin Del Campo.1993. The Gila Monster and its Allies. SSAR. 242p.

Brown, David. 1991. The Gila Monster. facts, folklore and America's Aztec Lizard. High-Lonseome Books, New Mexico. 127p.

Thanks for your source!

Good Hunting!
mbayless

Posted by: AntonT at Wed Nov 5 23:48:37 2003 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Hey, thanks for the info...any help obtaining those sources? Unfortunately I cannot find those texts at my local library (I live in a rural area).
As far as the book is concerned, It is called "Venomous reptiles of North America), author Carl H. Ernst,Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992.
I consider it a very good book, since I deal primarily with venomous snakes, and it contains info on EVERY native North American species.
As far as the gila/varanid relation goes, I was just wondering because I am trying to find more info on WHY gilas/beadeds developed a venom apparatus, how it evolved, and why don't any of the varanids have it. From what I've read, they do not use venom to kill/subdue their prey, since it is ingested in the typical varanid fashion. That leads me to believe that it is more of a protective device, and since they do not have that many natural predators (humans being the worst), from my research less than your typical varanid, how come any of the varanids don't have a similar venom apparatus.
Pozdrav,

Anton T.
P.S. I just love the report of one attacking an automobile door, and chewing (and trying to inject venom) on the door handle for 15 minutes

Thanks for the tip, I will definitely check those books out... I think I'm just going to purchase them, since I am always looking to add to my collection
Sometimes I just prefer to scan the literature first, since there is just SO much crap out there( like just about any TFH book).
Thanks again.
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Pozdrav,
Anton T.
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Thank you Sir, may I have another?

Hi Anton,

I have about 275 pages of Varanid/helodermatid/Lanthanotus bibliography finished and going to publisher soon...there is alot of "junk" written, but alot of material over-looked and forgotten that is valuable too! Hence the reason I wrote it up.
It is amazing what 'secrets' are out there, and common knowledge if one looks closely!

Cheers,
mbayless

but where do you find all this info? Is it your personal library, or do you just like to collect obscure info, like me?
Like I said, a silly question
Thanks.
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Pozdrav,
Anton T.
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Thank you Sir, may I have another?

Hi again Anton,
Not a silly question...I like collecting information on Varanoidea as it all is connected in some way or another and what may be seem just a piece of 'evidence' now may be very important tommorrow...you never know...for instance: a fellow did a Ph.D. Thesis on why beer slows down gila monster invenomation! I find this hilarious, getting drunk, getting bitten and getting a Ph.D. all in one! haha.

Also, I like to show people that what seems irrellevant is not, sno matter it was published 1500 B.C., 450 B.C., 1766, 1735, 1672, 1326 etc... regarding varanids, its still relevant information today...it shows people have been interested in varanids for a long time!

cheers,
mbayless