Tag Archives: South America

Deadly Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Posted by on March 8, 2012 Comments Off

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a deadly disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.  It is primarily transmitted from infected ticks to people through a bite injury, and has a habitat range spanning both North and South America.  It has gone by the name Black Measles due to the appearance of the resulting rash.

Symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Muscle pain
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • A rash sometimes develops after the first few days on infection, but not always

Treatment for RMSF consists of antibiotics as soon as possible.  Hospitalization is often necessary.   Read more »

Killer Insects: The Tarantula

Posted by on December 21, 2011 Comments Off

Tarantulas (A group of related spiders under the family name Theraphosidae) can be found on every continent save Antarctica. While their large and frightening appearance can be startling, Tarantulas are mostly not a significant danger to people.

  • Tarantulas found in the New world (those indigenous to the Americas) have bites that pose very little threat to humans other than causing some pain in the area of the bite.
  • Tarantulas found in the Old world (particularly those indigenous to Asia), bite as both a defense mechanism and a method for catching prey. They are more likely to bite when provoked and are significantly less docile than new-world tarantulas. The venom old-world tarantulas is less well understood, and some early observations suggest that they are more potent than those of their new-world cousins.

There are reports of significant bites from Poecilotheria species of Tarantula, sometimes resulting in hospitalization of the patient. Indicators include both pain and swelling in the affected area, physical exhaustion, muscle cramping, difficulty breathing, and fever. In such situations, emergency medical assistance should be sought immediately.

Featured Photo by jcantroot

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Dangerous Reptiles: The Coral Snake

Posted by on December 20, 2011 Comments Off

Species of coal snakes can be found in both the New World (North and South America) and the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa), though only those from the New World are poisonous.  These New World coral snakes are among the most venomous snakes in North America.

Luckily, coral snakes generally prefer to live in places without a lot of people and avoid people if given the opportunity.  This will only bite as a last resort and will flee if you provide them with the space.

Leather shoes and clothing can be protective against coral snake bites because their fangs are relatively short and cannot penetrate through the thick leather to get to your skin.

If a coral snake does manage to land a bite on its victim, medical attention is an immediate medical necessity.  Coral snake venom possesses a strong neurotoxin that paralyzes the muscles you use to breathe, resulting in respiratory failure and death if left untreated.  Treatment requires anti-venom and artificial respiration for the patient in order to survive.

Indicators of a venomous coral snakebite:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Drooling
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Elevated, quick heartbeat

Unfortunately, anti-venom for coral snake bites can be hard to find as it is not terribly profitable for companies to make.  For for information on the coral snake anti-venom issue, check out this new story at naplesnews.com.

Hikers have a saying for spotting and avoiding coral snakes – “Red and Yellow, Kill a Fellow”

Featured Photo by elvissa

Disclaimer: The information in this post is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. If you find yourself in a life-threatening/emergency medical situation, you should seek medical attention immediately. Read more »

Dangerous Reptiles: The Rattlesnake

Posted by on December 19, 2011 Comments Off

While North America may be free of many of the worlds deadliest and most poisonous animals on Earth, it does have its share of critters worth avoiding, such as rattlesnakes.  As their name suggests, rattlesnakes have a literal rattle at the end of their tails grows longer with each shedding of skin that they use to produce a rattling sound, often as a warning to perceived threats.  The rattlesnake is the top cause of snakebite injuries in North America and is responsible for a large percent of those in South America as well.  The rattlesnake is one of many species on the Americas and Asia that gets lumped into a group of snakes called “Pit Vipers.”

Rattlesnakes prefer to be left alone and don’t seek out confrontation with people.  Yet if a rattlesnake feels cornered or provoked, it will bite.  Should you encounter one, give it space and let it retreat or leave the area.

If someone is bitten by a rattlesnake, chances of survival are good with prompt medical treatment.  If the snakebite victim is treated with anti-venom within a few hours of the bite, survival is almost guaranteed.  The rattlesnake doesn’t inject its venom about 20% of the time.

For the other 80% of the time when the snake does inject venom, symptoms include:

  • Extreme pain
  • Swelling
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Anxiety
  • Weakness
  • Internal bleeding
  • Eventual heart failure and death

If you or someone else is bitten by a rattlesnake:

  • Dial 911/seek immediate medical attention
  • Stay calm
  • Immobilize the bitten limb, stay quiet to help keep the poison from spreading through the body
  • Remove jewelry and restrictive clothing before swelling occurs
  • Position yourself (or the bitten party) so that the bite is at or below the level of the heart
  • Cleanse the wound, do not flush it with water.  Cover it with dry, clean dressing.
  • Apply a splint to lessen any movement of the affected area
  • Only under the condition that you are more than 1–2 hours away from a medical facility, place a lightly constricting band above the bitten spot to prevent the spread of the venom

Disclaimer: The information in this post is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. If you find yourself in a life-threatening/emergency medical situation, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Featured Photo by rioncm

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Dangerous Fish: The Electric Eel

Posted by on December 12, 2011 Comments Off

Electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) are technically not eels, so the name is a misnomer.  They can reach 2 meters in length and 20 centimeters in diameter. You should try avoid them.  They don’t actively hunt people, but can be very dangerous when they feel threatened.

Amazingly, the larger specimens can generate up to 500 volts of electricity in the organs of their body.  This shock is used to both stun and capture prey and to defend itself from perceived threats.  Although there are few recorded instances of electric eels killing people, it is generally very rare.  However, they can generate a high enough electrical current to kill a person, especially if you were to be in physical contact with one.

To demonstrate just how powerful this electric shock can be, check out a video here of a Brazilian gentleman using an electric eel to kill an alligator.

Usually electric eels are found in the Orinoco and Amazon River systems of South America. They seem to prefer shallow waters (which have a higher oxygen content and can provide more food for the eels).  The upper body of the electric eel is dark grayish or black and a lighter-colored belly underneath.

Featured Photo by Aaron Gustafson

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Deadly Fish: Piranhas

Posted by on December 12, 2011 Comments Off

Piranhas (specifically those of the Serrasalmo or red-bellied species) are yet another hazard of the sometimes dangerous Orinoco Flow and Amazon River systems (as well as in the Paraguay River Basin, where they are native). These dangerous fish can vary greatly in sizes and colors, bu most will have a combo of orange underbellies and dark tops.

They have razor-sharp teeth that are kept clearly visible. Sometimes they may be as long as 50 centimeters. You should use great caution when crossing their home waters. Any blood in the water can attract them. Piranhas are at their most dangerous in shallow waters during a dry season.

Recently a an 18 year old man in Bolivia died after jumping into a river filled with Piranhas.  He died from his wounds, though it sounds like they weren’t able to completely strip all the flesh from his bones before other people intervened.  Unfortunately, they were able to do enough physical damage to end his life.  The man apparently suffered dozens of bites to his throat and face while submerged in Bolivia’s Yata River.(Source: “Suicide by Piranha“, The Sun, December 8, 2011).

Here’s a great video demonstration of how quickly a school of piranhas can completely devour the body of their prey:

Featured Photo by Phil Whitehouse

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Dangerous Snakes: Green Anaconda

Posted by on November 29, 2011 Comments Off

The Green Anaconda, also known as the Water Boa, lives the majority of its life in and around water.  They lay in wait in the water with just their snout peeking out above the surface.  They observe their prey before striking at its prey with its bite and then coil around it and constrict it to death.

They consume a large variety of prey, pretty much whatever they want.  They are one of the longest snakes in the world, reaching lengths of up to 22 feet or more.  There are legends and unsubstantiated reports of larger specimens, which remain unverified.

Featured Photo by B a y L e e ‘ s 8 Legged Art

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Animals to Generally Avoid: The Assassin Caterpillar

Posted by on November 22, 2011 Comments Off

The assassin caterpillar of South America is actually the larval stage of the Giant Silkworm Moth.  It’s noteworthy for its larval caterpillar stage because it is during this period that the species can be deadly to human touch.  At the base of each of its spines is a gland that contains toxins. When the spines get stuck in a victim, venom is injected through the hollow spines and into the unsuspecting victim.  It has been called the worlds deadliest caterpillar.

Their toxin is one of the most potent anti-clotting agents found in all of nature thus far. This leads to internal bleeding and bruised tissue in the victim, spreading throughout the internal organs and to the brain.  Eventually the victim starts bleeding out of various bodily orifices.  At this point the victim is suffering from full-blown hemmoragic syndrome.   The assassin caterpillar is responsible for several verified human deaths.  A death rate of 2.5 percent has been reported.

An antilonomic serum produced at the Institute of Butantan in Brazil is the only effective treatment known at this time capable of reestablishing regular blood coagulation in the body.  For more information on this serum treatment, check out this article  – http://www.bioportfolio.com/resources/pmarticle/49538/New-Insight-Into-The-Mechanism-Of-Lonomia-Obliqua-Envenoming-Toxin-Involvement-And.html

The toxin only takes effect in larger amounts, equaling at least a few dozen stings for a healthy adult of normal size, though a child or elderly person may require less.

Here’s a great link to first aid procedures should you be stung by the assassin caterpillar -  Caterpillar Envenomation Treatment & Management

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Alligators vs. Crocodiles: Whats the Difference?

Posted by on November 20, 2011 Comments Off

Freaky albino alligator

For a long time, I had no idea regarding the differences between alligators and a crocodiles.  The recently I remembered I had internet access and decided to do some sleuthing.  Turns out, they’re actually two different species!  Crazy right?

Here’s some other stuff I was previously ignorant of -

  1. Alligators and crocodiles only share one habitat on the planet: Southern Florida.
  2. Alligators have wider, shorter U-shaped snouts, crocodiles have V-shaped snouts.
  3. Alligators have a strong preference for freshwater, and crocodiles can better tolerate seawater than alligators because of specialized glands which can filter out salt.  Both can survive in either, though.
  4. Although alligators are fearsome predators and very dangerous, crocodiles are considered more actively aggressive. Larger crocodiles are all to happy to prey on people, while alligators are not inclined to do so.  Alligators will still attack if provoked.  Still, crocodiles seem to be much more prone to actually attacking people.  It’s much easier to find stories of croc attacks, as displayed by the following new stories:

Featured Photo by Edgar Zuniga Jr.
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