Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Tongs.com has new gloves (VP-10) that are the strongest they now sell. I don't think they've listed them on the site yet (although it's been a while since I've looked); however, they do have them in their printed catalog. I'm just curious if anyone would trust these things to take the bite of an adult beaded or gila. Thanks for the replies of sand as substrate and any replies on this!

A bite from a Heloderma lizard is not considered to be lethal, how ever it can be serious and should be avoided at all costs. You don't really need cavilar with Helodermatid lizards. Use regular leather work gloves, If you are bitten the leather will act like a dam and catch most of the venom. You still will bleed some and may sting a little, but you will avoid a heavy envenomation. Also it is best to have the gloves a little loose so you are able to pull your hand out if you are bitten.
Now all of that being said if you are careful in handleing your lizards you should not be bitten at all.
I hope this helps you out with your delema.
Merry Christmas,
HorridumAngeli

HorridumAngeli's Beaded Lizard Web Site

I use a pair of gloves/gauntlets that I purchased from an animal supply company. They give a decent level of hand protection and also keep my forearms from getting scratched. This is kind of nice if you consider that the lizards inevitably walk through their own wastes. You may consider wearing a long sleeve shirt if you just use regular gloves to add a little sanitary protection to your arms.

Doug T

>>Tongs.com has new gloves (VP-10) that are the strongest they now sell. I don't think they've listed them on the site yet (although it's been a while since I've looked); however, they do have them in their printed catalog. I'm just curious if anyone would trust these things to take the bite of an adult beaded or gila. Thanks for the replies of sand as substrate and any replies on this!

Midwest's Gentle Giant tongs can even be used to pick up or move young beaded lizards; as long as it is done gently, they really don't fuss too much and these tongs work great for many applications. As the other posts stated, loose, leather gloves is the way to go (although I personally feel more comfortable with bare hands, I don't recommend it). Compared to other venomous herps I work with (such as cobras, mambas, etc.), these are far easier to manage and a big reason why I love working with them so much....plus, they are, in my opinion, one of the coolest animals on earth.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Tongs.com has new gloves (VP-10) that are the strongest they now sell. I don't think they've listed them on the site yet (although it's been a while since I've looked); however, they do have them in their printed catalog. I'm just curious if anyone would trust these things to take the bite of an adult beaded or gila. Thanks for the replies of sand as substrate and any replies on this!
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL