€ 275
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Gila monster skull necklace | sterling silver
The Gila monster is the desert lizard of the American Southwest whose venom led to the first of a family of diabetes medicines. A Gila monster skull necklace is a gift for the herpetologist, the reptile keeper, or the pharmacologist who knows the venom story.
Who It's For
- a herpetologist or field biologist at the end of a season of desert fieldwork
- a zookeeper or reptile keeper with a soft spot for venomous lizards
- an endocrinologist or diabetes researcher who knows where exenatide came from
- a vet heading into exotic animal practice
- a friend from Arizona, or anyone who loves the Sonoran Desert
The Anatomy of the Gila Monster
The Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, is the largest lizard native to the United States, reaching about 56 cm. Its genus name means studded skin, and the beads on its head, back and tail are more than scales: each holds a small round bone called an osteoderm, a light armour set into the skin. Its venom works differently from a snake's. It comes from glands in the lower jaw, and instead of hollow fangs the Gila monster has grooved teeth, so it holds on and chews the venom into a bite. It can keep that grip for more than ten minutes.
Explore Related Animal Skull Jewelry
- Gila monster skull necklace | gold vermeil
- Python skull necklace | silver
- Exenatide necklace | silver
- GLP-1 necklace | silver
FAQ
How big is the Gila monster skull necklace and how does it sit?
The pendant is 25 mm long, about 1 inch, close to the size of a 2-euro coin (25.75 mm). It hangs on a 45 cm (17.7 in) sterling silver chain with a 5 cm (2 in) extender, so it sits just below the collarbone and can be worn a little higher or lower. Our 925 sterling silver is nickel-free and hypoallergenic. A soft cloth brings back the shine if it dulls over time.
Which version should I choose?
The Gila monster skull necklace comes in sterling silver and in 18K gold vermeil, both with a 25 mm pendant on a 45 cm chain with a 5 cm extender. Choose the finish the recipient already wears. The design and the size are the same in both finishes.
Will it arrive in time, and what if it isn't right?
Shipping is free worldwide with DHL Express and takes 1-5 business days, with import duties and taxes covered, so nothing extra is due at the door. It arrives in a ready-to-gift jewelry box with a festive envelope. If it isn't right, our 30-day “Love It or Return It” policy covers it.
How did a Gila monster lead to a diabetes medicine?
Through its venom. In the late 1980s John Eng, an endocrinologist at the Bronx VA hospital in New York, read studies from the NIH on how some snake and lizard venoms act on the pancreas. In 1992 he isolated a peptide from Gila monster venom, named it exendin-4, and found that it worked like the gut hormone GLP-1 but lasted far longer in the body. Made synthetically as exenatide, it was approved in 2005 for type 2 diabetes, the first medicine of the GLP-1 class.
Animal skulls & bones
Drawing upon the intricate architecture of animal anatomy, our collection captures the haunting beauty of skulls and bones. Each piece serves as a tactile memento mori, reminding us of the delicate balance between life and death. Crafted with scientific accuracy, these masterpieces evoke a sense of awe and curiosity, offering a tribute to the intricacies of the natural world. Far more than mere adornments, they are conversation-starters that provoke intellectual dialogue.
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Necklace length guide
