How does a Gila monster deliver venom through its bite?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

black girdle-tailed lizard — lizard Black girdle-tailed lizard (*Cordylus nigra*).

The Gila monster, a type of lizard, delivers venom through a specialized process involving its bite. Unlike snakes that inject venom through hollow fangs, the Gila monster relies on a strong, sustained bite to allow the toxin to enter a wound.1

The mechanism functions as follows:

Glandular Source: The venom is produced in glands located in the lower jaw.1
Delivery System: Many of the lizard's teeth feature two grooves that act as channels to conduct the venom.1
Bite Application: Because the Gila monster is a slow, methodical predator, it uses its muscular jaws to maintain a firm grip on its prey, allowing the venom to seep into the bite wound over time.1

This venom acts as a nerve poison, though it is important to note that fatalities to humans are rare.1