Zoo InternQuest is a career exploration program for high school students. For more information see the Zoo InternQuest Journals. For more photos see the Zoo InternQuest Photo Journal

Before today, I had never been close to more than a couple of reptiles or amphibians, much less about 1,400 of them! Brett Baldwin, (a senior keeper in the reptile and amphibian division for the San Diego Zoo) gave us a tour of the “behind the scenes” areas of the reptile house and mesa. Dozens of venomous snakes, patterned lizards, and disguised frogs rested in their precisely controlled habitats. Some even scurried towards us, propped their heads up, and watched us with their shiny eyes. We got up close and personal with these amazing creatures, some of which potentially could teach us a few things about developing new medicine and other products that can benefit us all.

One type of reptile we came face to face with was a gecko. Mr. Baldwin held this nimble little lizard as he explained some of its assets. He explained that this dark black and green lizard has adhesive feet, globular toes, and tail to help it climb trees and attach itself to limbs. Its colors camouflage it to help it assimilate in the foliage of which it lives in. In fact, scientists have mimicked this suction action of gecko feet and have developed a strong adhesive that actual strengthens itself through use. It is amazing to discover that the tiny, velvety skinned creature in front of me was the inspiration for such a beneficial creation!

Walking into another room, we were greeted with the loud, alarming rattle. The rattlesnakes in their habitats warned us of their penetrating action and lethal venom supply. Some of their habitats were even covered with cloth to prevent them from seeing us because they may strike against the glass, which could damage their nose or jaw. “Venom is one of the most complex organic chemical on Earth,” Mr. Baldwin stated, to my astonishment. He continued to explain venom’s positive impacts in the medical field. Much research has been dedicated to coral snakes whose venom could be a template to create an extremely powerful painkiller, possibly even ten times as strong as morphine. This product would be a huge advancement in medicine, aiding patients who are under significant pain.

By studying reptiles and amphibians in general, scientists are making great strides in medicine. The Gila monster’s saliva has been mimicked by pharmaceutical companies to develop exenatide, marketed as Byetta, a medicine for those with type two diabetes. Currently, the poison dart frog is being studied to develop a potent painkiller as the coral snake is. It is possible that this poison could also act as a muscle relaxant, heart stimulant, and appetite suppressant.

These slithery creatures hidden between leaves or under rocks are, in fact, very up front and center in some science institutes. People are looking where they once overlooked to find answers for human needs. As for me, I was just staring at a petite-sized rattler; for all I knew, the answers to our next dilemma could be staring back at me.

Celena, Real World Team

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