Close-up to the Guatemalan wildlife: the Heloderma beaded lizards

The Heloderma, or beaded lizards, are part of the many mind-blowing animals that are endangered because of human greed. They are also living pharmacies – that we do not need as pets!

The venom of this beaded lizard can save human lives. Their venom has been studied for a while now in regard to its application as a treatment for diabetes, and things look very promising. But for this, we need them alive and wild! We must protect them and their habitats. Besides, don’t they deserve it?

Heloderma charlesbogerti en Zacapa, Guatemala.

Helodermas are endangered

The Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti) is an endemic and endangered lizard that lives in an equally endangered ecosystem: the semiarid forest of the Motagua Valley (Guatemala).

But why is the species endangered? Besides habitat degradation and killing by locals out of fear, the illegal wildlife trade poses a major risk for this species. Even though over the past decades’ local education has helped in reducing the fear-based killing, the international demand is as real as always.

Most of the reptile demand comes from Europe, and I guess it goes without saying that in Central and South America we have an optimal situation for illegal traders due to lack of law enforcement, poverty (necessity), and widely accepted bribery.

Everywhere we are we can all play a part in illegal wildlife trade. So speak up where you are! And NEVER buy wildlife “out of pity”, report it. But why should you care? Well, illegal wildlife trade can bring around more and more zoonotic diseases like COVID19 (which is also not the first one).

Need I say more?

Wildlife 👏 are 👏 not 👏 pets👏.

Did you learn something new here? Consider supporting me on Ko-fi and get a personalized doodle!

[kofi]