how to tell if a lizard is poisonous?

Question

i found a lizard in my back tard, and im not sure if it is safe. its yellow, with black thick lines around its body, its small. It also has spikes around its head, and the tip of the spikes are red. Also it inflates when it feels its endangered

Answer 1

The only poisonous lizard known to the world is native to the desert southwest of the US and Mexico. Known as the Gila Monster or Beaded Lizard, these animals spend about 80% of their life underground but become more active at the surface during Spring. Region Found In: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Southern California, Southern Utah, and into Mexico. Gila Monsters grow to a substantial size -- about 14 inches long and are larger than most other N. American lizards.

They are identified by their:

1. Hulking body
2. Robust limbs
3. Beaded skin (as opposed to scales)
4. Distinct color banding or mottled pattern ranging from black and red through black and orange or black and yellow.

Dealing with bites:
Treat as though a general snake bite. However, note that unlike a pit viper bite, Gila Monster bite sites will have several puncture wounds from numerous sharp teeth possibly making treatment with a Sawyer Extractor™ difficult. As with all bites, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible -- not only because of possible envenomization, but because of pathogens too. There a no reports from anyone ever dying as a direct result of a Gila Monster bite. As with snake bites, the victim of a Gila Monster bite usually does something foolish after being bitten, and it is this poor problem management that sometimes results in his or her demise. Nonetheless, this is still a poisonous bite and should be taken very seriously.

Answer 2

It's doubtful. There aren't many venomous lizards in the world. The only one you really hear about is the beaded lizard family, which is mainly found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, and includes the Gila monster, which is black with bright pink patches. I'm not sure what you saw, since I don't know where you live, but I don't think it's dangerous.

Answer 3

there are only two lizards in the world that are venomouse the gila monster which lives in the american southwest and is orange - yellowy and black two feet long fat and has a big head, the other, the beaded lizard looks much the same only without the orange. it is mainly found in Mexico but on rare occaisons you can find it in the extreme southwestern united states, it is called the beaded lizard because of its rount bead like scales.

Answer 4

The only venomous lizards in California are Gila Monsters. A picture of my gila monster will appear with this answer. Go to my blogsite and wait for the slide show. You'll see Picasso the gila monster in the slides. Also if you scroll down in "Learn About the Zoo Crew," click on "Picasso" and it will give you a good picture to compare with the animals you saw. If it is a gila monster do NOT pick it up. They have a very bad bite. Call your Animal Control to remove it. They are Internationally Protected with a $250,000.00 fine for killing one. Let a professional move it for you. Good luck Jerry

Answer 5

there are only like 2 lizards in the world that are poisonous and one is the gila monster the other is the beaded lizard which are in the same family you can look them up on google and then compare the pictures to the lizard in your backyard be careful though, Good Luck.

Answer 6

sounds like a fence lizard.

Answer 7

i dont think you should touch it until you know what it is.......encage it and see what happens