Recent developments in the medical field have already given us an HIV-killing enzyme. But while it's been known for quite a few months now of a certain lizard being able to cure diabetes, certain natural conservationists are pulling out all the stops in order to protect this highly endangered species.

The lizard in question is the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (otherwise known in scientific circles as Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti). Its venom is now being used as treatment for diabetes, but despite this, the Nature Conservancy in Guatemala has an ongoing campaign to let people know how widely misunderstood this reptile is.

Even without the whole diabetes-curing "super power," the beaded lizard is still a magnificent creature. Here's why:

• It's around 20 inches long with striking yellow markings and stripes on its tail.
• It has a long, forked tongue and belongs to the only family of venomous lizards in the world. (Its poison is not fatal to humans, but can kill small animals.)
• It endures high temperatures and long periods of drought by becoming totally inactive (a behavior known as aestivating).
• During its dormant period (from January to June), the beaded lizard survives on the food stored in its tail.

Considering that there are around 200 of these creatures left out in the wild these days, the Nature Conservancy in Guatemala is taking certain measures to protect them. Just some of the threats that the lizards face include a dwindling habitat, poaching, and being killed by the locals due to mythological fears.

It's long been believed that the beaded lizard is more poisonous than a rattlesnake, can cause lightnings to strike, and can even cause a miscarriage if a pregnant woman merely looks at it. The Nature Conservancy has already conserved 50,000 acres of land in the Motagua Valley where the lizards call home, and are working on having the species recognized internationally as endangered.