This One Goes Out To You, Gila Monster

Happy day! Not only does this week hail the arrival of my man but also of our new library mascots: the puffer fish! They look so tiny compared to last year's duo. I mean, by last June Puff Daddy and Puff Patty were big enough to take a sizable chunk out of your hand with their razor teeth. The new ones would barely be able to break the skin on your pinky finger. Adorable!

Fun fact: did you know that you're not supposed to eat puffer fish? It's true. They produce a neurotoxin in their organs, making them a potentially lethal dinner. Thankfully though, the only way to be poisoned by the darlings is to actually ingest them, which no one in their right mind would do after taking one look at them.

On another note, there is another animal that produces a very similar neurotoxin (and one we do not have in this library). It's the infamous gila monster. In contrast to the puffer, however, the gila injects his poison through his hollow teeth. Gilas are not often fatal to humans, but they bite hard and have a tenacious jaw grip. Probably not a very fun time, but then, it must be hard for them to live up to the surname "monster".

Why am I writing about gila monsters, you may ask? Let's just say it's a special dedication post. And so educational, too! I'm willing to bet cash money that you never thought you'd actually learn something by wasting time reading this blog. But there you go. You're welcome.