4K views · 72 reactions | This is Moqui the Gila monster, a species of venomous lizard native to the Southwestern U.S. He has been a star in The Power of Poison at NHMU, which explains how venom from Gila monsters is being used in medical treatments. Come and see him for yourself before the exhibit closes on April 16! https://nhmu.utah.edu/poison | Natural History Museum of Utah | Facebook

KING of the desert! The Gila monster is truly one of the most spectacular reptiles on earth. Their striking contrasted colors coupled with a substantial build and fast acting venom makes these lizards some of the coolest on the planet. These lizards are desert specialists and utilize their environments to best survive in their often arid and harsh surroundings. While they may seem slow and dumb, these lizards are far from defenseless; equipped with a powerful neurotoxin these animals are more th