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ABOUT
THE BOOK
"This is the first comprehensive treatment of the
biology of the Monstersauria in nearly 50 years, during
which time our knowledge has increased dramatically. It
gives the reader an unprecedented opportunity to
understand the evolution, ecology, and behavior of
Gila
monsters and beaded lizards, as well as insights into
folklore, venom, and threats to the existence of these
fabled animals."--William Cooper , Indiana
University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne
"Beck is the foremost authority on these animals and
has published extensively on them. He provides a highly
readable and fascinating summary of their
biology."--Jonathan Campbell, author of Venomous
Reptiles of Latin America
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From The Publisher
No two
lizard species have spawned as much folklore, wonder, and myth as the
Gila Monster, Heloderma suspectum, and the Beaded Lizard, H.
horridum--the sole survivors of an ancient group of predacious
lizards called the Monstersauria. More like snakes on legs, monstersaurs
are a walking contradiction: they are venomous yet don't appear to use
their venom for subduing prey; their mottled patterns mingle with the
broken shadows and textures of their desert and tropical dry forest
habitats, yet their bright open mouths hiss a bold warning that a nasty
bite awaits those who advance further. And while Gila Monster venom
produces excruciating pain, it also contains a peptide that has become a
promising new drug for treating type-2 diabetes. Perhaps the ultimate
paradox is that monstersaurs are among the most famous of lizards, yet
until quite recently they have remained among the least studied. With
numerous illustrations, stunning color photographs, and an up-to-date
synthesis of their biology, this book explains why the Monstersauria
seems poised to change the way we think about lizards. Daniel D.
Beck--who has been investigating Gila Monsters and Beaded Lizards for
over 22 years--teams up here with award-winning wildlife photographer
Tom Wiewandt to produce a comprehensive summary of this small but
remarkable family of lizards.
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