Dr. Eng discovered exendin-4 in the venom of a Gila monster. Goodfellow offered to pay local residents $5.00 for Gila monster specimens. There are threatened endemic species as sonoran pronghorn, bighorn sheep, gila monster and desert tortoise. The saliva of the Gila monster contains many chemicals which can be deadly. Lizards such as the Gila monster produce toxins with medical applications. They are substantially larger than the Gila monster, which only reaches lengths of . The Sonoran Desert is home to the Gila monster, one of a few poisonous lizards. Bad Bill the Gila monster attacks them, stealing Beans' saddle bag. Another toxin from Gila monster saliva has been studied for use as an anti-Alzheimer's drug. Urban sprawl and habitat destruction have adversely affected Gila monster numbers. The Golden Knights' mascot is a Gila monster named Chance. In 2019, the state of Utah made the Gila monster its official state reptile. I decided that no self-respecting Gila monster would have behaved in that manner. Among Native American tribes, the Gila monster had a mixed standing. The Gila monster has also seen usage as a mascot and state symbol.