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DECEMBER 23, 2015

Looking for a unique gift for a loved one this holiday season? Why not get them a gift that will also give back to native Arizona wildlife?


Give the gift of education Know someone who is interested in native Southwest plants?
Give a unique gift by registering a loved one for our Medicinal Flora of the Southwest Wild Workshop. Participants will learn about the ethnobotany of our native flora as well as make a healing ointment! Space is limited, so register soon.

Pet of the Week: Kiko


MULLET OVER BY JAMES K. WHITE  |  DECEMBER 23, 2015

Are Komodo dragons venomous?


Score one for the amateurs: For decades, biologists recognized only two venomous lizard species – the Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard. Some indigenous folk in Indonesia claimed that the huge Komodo dragon was also venomous. In an effort to dispel the Komodo venom gossip, investigating herpetologist Auffenberg determined in the 1960s that those “dragons” simply possessed super bad saliva bacteria which infected all wounds inflicted by the Komodo D’s bite. Those lizards were expertly declared to be non-venomous. Update: herpetologist Bryan Fry has re-examined the situation (using MRIs) and discovered that the “uneducated” locals had been correct. Komodo dragons are venomous. They have toxin secreting glands along their gum lines and are quite capable of injecting venom.