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How dangerous would a gila bite actually be???

I'm wondering what the actual bite might be compared to...would it be as bad as a savannah monitor bite???

Also what are the effects of venom??? would you have to rush to the hospital??? Would you need to get anitvenom???

I'm only wondering because I've never seen or heard anything much about gila venom or bites...if anyone could put my curiousity to rest that would be great.
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Chris Vanderwees

E-mail Me
1.3.0 Veiled Chameleons
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0.0.1 Savannah Monitor

Just this march I was bitten by one of my Yearlings. Not much size on them but still packs a powerful punch. I was bitten in the hand(My thunb to be exact) and my hand swelled up to probably 2x it's normal size and stopped right above my wrist. The bite itself was not as painful as I would expected, but the after bite hurt! I have worked with exotic saltwater fish and the only thing I could really compare it to was being hit by a dwarf fuzzy lionfish. It felt like I was just holding my hand in an open flame. This all happened about 8pm on a Sunday night and by 9am the following morning my hand was greatly reduced in size. BUT the next day I did nave some bouts with vomitting and diarrhea.
Safe to say I did not die and after doing alot of research I have yet to find a fatal Gila bit e noted! BUT ONE THING EVERYONE MUST REMEBER IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW VENOMOUS A GILA IS IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE RESPECTED AS A VENOMOUS ANIMAL, AND ONLY AND I REPEAT ONLY PROFESSIONAL HANDLERS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO FREE HANDLE THIER GILAS. I personally think Gilas have the best personalities of any reptile, but young Gilas can be very unpredictable! Gloves are a must and if you don't know what you are doing don't do it. This is not a story to let everyone know that you will not die from a Gila bite, instead it is a story to let everyone know no matter how well you think you know your Gilas you should always no doubt it to turn around and hang on, you have to remeber these are venomous animals! But overall I would never part with any of my Gilas, I think they are the best!

Glad to hear you're OK!
Very good story, and should be read by even the more experienced handlers. Anyone is able to be biten!
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Greg Holland
G&M HERPS
www.imageevent.com/gmherps
gmherps@sbcglobal.net

Ya and funny thing is, out of all my Gilas he is still my favortie(He is used very lightly as a high quesstimate). they are actually being ultrasounded in severl months, can't wait!