Monster Whose Spit Helps Diabetics
Making Appearances at Zoo
Although many people have heard the name Gila monster, come see them in person. The Gila (pronounced hee-la) monster is the largest lizard native to the United States. Along with Mexico’s beaded lizard, Gila monsters are one of only two venomous lizards known to occur in the world.  Zoo guests will see these rare creatures in the hands of venomous-licensed professional presenters at the zoo’s popular Serpents: Fangs & Fiction show.

These thick-bodied lizards reach lengths of 18 to 24 inches and weigh around 3 pounds. Gilas have a black head with pink, orange, or yellow markings across the bead-like scales of their bodies. Their lifespan in the wild is believed to be around 20 years but some Gilas have lived over 30 years in zoos. But what about their spit helps diabetics? Read on.

As it turns out, Gila monster venom is not all bad. In 1992, Dr. John Eng discovered a hormone he named exendin-4 in the saliva of Gila monsters. In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a drug derived from this hormone to treat people with type 2 diabetes. Marketed as exenatide or Byetta™, this twice-daily injected drug also had the added benefit of weight loss in a three year study. A once a week injection is currently under review.

Saturday, May 10
International Migratory Bird Day
Come celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at Naples Zoo. Migratory birds travel long distances between breeding and non-breeding sites throughout the Western Hemisphere. In 2008, IMBD will explore the birds that make these fantastic journeys, the habitats on which they depend, and the people who are important to the conservation of birds and their habitats along the way.  This year's theme is "Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People."

This annual celebration of the incredible journeys of migratory birds will be presented by area National Wildlife Refuges: J.N. “Ding” Darling, Florida Panther, and Ten Thousand Islands along with the Collier County Audubon Society, Conservancy of SW Florida and Everglades National Park.

Receive free materials (while supplies last) about the fascinating world of migratory birds as well as information on birding and great places to bird.