Poisonous Guatemala's "Sleeping Child" lizard recently earned some human friends and one of them is forest ranger Juan Alvarado, who spent 17 years caring for and saving these critically endangered reptiles from extinction.

According to Phys.org, locals gave the poisonous lizard the nickname "Sleeping Child" because of its lethargic gait. The 68-year-old forest ranger works at a forest reserve in the Zacapa department of Guatemala and has dedicated 17 years of his life to saving the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti).

Projects to Save Guatemala's
(Photo : Pixabay/Michelle_Raponi)
Projects to Save Guatemala's "Sleeping Child" Lizard Encourage Villagers to Bring Lost Specimens in Exchange for Food (photo for illustration only)

Saving the Endangered Sleeping Child Lizard of Guatemala

Alvarado has been taking care of one specimen of the Guatemalan beaded lizard rescued from a nearby village. He places it gently on the ground while holding it by the head and body like a baby. The lizard then quickly slinks into the undergrowth afterward.

Although these species are known for their venom, which can kill people, Alvarado is not afraid of them. The numbers of the Sleeping Child lizard have been dwindling in the past years mainly due to their ever-shrinking habitat, climate change, and being traded as pets on the black market and being sold for as much as $2,000 apiece in Europe.

Given the threats to the existence of these critically endangered species, projects for conserving the reptiles have also included the participation of villagers. The public is encouraged to bring lost specimens to the park in exchange for food.

Today, conservationists in Guatemala estimate about 600 beaded lizards left worldwide. Although this might be small, it is still an increase from the 200 individuals about 20 years ago. Nonetheless, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the lizard as a critically endangered species.

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About the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard

According to Science Direct, the Guatemalan Beaded lizard is a vertebrate nest specialist predator that hunts reptile eggs, bird hatchlings, and even adult birds. They are endemic to tropical forests of the valleys of eastern and southern Guatemala and are now one of the most endangered lizard species in the world.

These lizards are venomous and transmit them via their teeth through rostal carina, which has a deep venom groove. Their bites could cause severe local pain, dizziness, diaphoresis, vomiting, hypotension, and paresthesia.

However, getting bitten by one of these lizards is extremely rare. Zoo Atlanta says that defensive bites of Guatemalan beaded lizards use specialized glands along their lower jaw to secrete their venom into the wound of their would-be predator.

Meanwhile, their stout tail is used during male-to-male combats or when they need to store fat during the spring season when food is abundant. They use this stored food to maintain the lizard through the rest of the year when food is virtually not available.

They spend most of their time inactive and hidden in the burrows or crevices. Since they are too slow and have a hard time catching their fast-moving prey, they attack nests of lizards and mammals to find eggs, nestling birds, or young mammals which they eat. Lastly, Guatemalan beaded lizards also live long and could reach 50 to 60 years old.

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