Each giraffe has its own unique pattern. This patchy pattern helps the giraffes hide amongst trees.
Lizard spits out new diabetes treatment at Taronga
Taronga's Gila Monster lizards have helped showcase the release of a new diabetes treatment in Australia that has been synthesized from the lizards' venom.
The Gila Monsters at Taronga are proudly sponsored by Eli Lilly, the firm marketing the drug in Australia for use in treating Type Two Diabetes.
Eli Lily officially launched the drug Byetta in Australia at Taronga's Reptile World with the help of the Zoo's Gila Monsters.
Byetta was developed as a synthetic version of the lizard's saliva compound and became available on prescription in September.
Byetta can achieve similar results to a naturally occurring human hormone, enhancing insulin production, reducing the amount of sugar released by the liver and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, allowing sugars and nutrients to be absorbed into the blood slowly.
With the release of Byetta in Australia, people who have been unable to control their diabetes with traditional methods may be able to lead normal lives. And with over 850,000 Australians affected by the disease, the Gila Monster's contribution will not go unnoticed.
Dr Rebecca Spindler, Manager Research and Conservation, Taronga Zoo, said nature plays so many important roles that people sometimes forget its contribution to significant scientific discoveries.
"With 1.8 million known species and less than 0.01% being studied scientifically, who knows how many other cures exist in the natural world. It certainly reinforces the value of zoos in protecting and breeding animals - in fact, it's something that our lives may well depend upon," said Dr Spindler.
Gila Monsters have never caused a fatality although their saliva, which contains the venom, can cause painful swelling and make victims feel very sick. The orange-coloured, scaly-backed lizard is a native to North America and Mexico.
