Deadly animals you don’t want to see on your holiday

Usually, when people go on holiday, it’s to see something new. You may travel to a particular destination for its breathtaking natural beauty, or you may find inspiration in man-made designs such as the Eiffel Tower or the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It may be a cultural experience that you’re after, so you head out to museums and galleries. Or you may want to see animals in their natural habitat, be it under water or on land.

Many countries earn their status as tourist hot spots purely because they provide opportunities to commune with wild animals and be at one with nature. Due care is taken to ensure everyone’s safety and there is never any real danger of physical contact with a hungry lion or irate elephant. There are, however, occasions when tour guides and expedition leaders can’t protect you, when you’re swimming in the sea, for example, or casually leaning against a tree trunk. Depending where you are in the world, these simple actions can have dire consequences.

South America is well known for the hospitality of its people and its natural beauty. It’s also well known for its piranhas, which were so dramatically portrayed in the original Bond movie, Dr No. In terms of danger, however, that humble fish is outstripped by a caterpillar.

There is a group of moths called Lonomia, which are found all across the continent, particularly in southern Brazil. The moths themselves aren’t dangerous at all; it’s their caterpillars that you need to watch out for. They’re hairy little things that blend perfectly into the tree trunks they inhabit. Their poison is a potent anti-coagulant that induces internal bleeding, kidney failure and the break down of red blood cells. People die every year from simply brushing up against a tree in which they live, or accidentally leaning against them.

We travel now to Australia, which is home to practically the most venomous species of all living creatures, except perhaps, the caterpillar. The box jellyfish, also known as the sea wasp, are found mostly in the waters around north Australia and south eastern Asia. It is widely considered to be the most dangerous animal in the world. A single box jellyfish contains enough toxins to kill 60 adults in less than three minutes. Like most lethal creatures it blends into its surroundings, making it virtually impossible to detect until it’s too late.

Its poison is contained in its tentacles, which can extend up to 3 metres long. They contain stinging cells which react to pressure and chemical triggers. The pain from a sting is said to be so excruciating that even when victims are rendered unconscious from the pain, their bloodcurdling screams can shatter eardrums. The poison wastes no time in attacking the nervous system, heart and skin.

Antivenom does exist, but needs to be applied almost immediately. To extend the chances of survival until the antivenom can be applied, the sting can be treated with vinegar. This prevents the release of any further toxins while the tentacle is still attached to victim. The tentacle must be removed, very carefully. Greater care must be shown when discarding the tentacle as they remain active even when they’re detached from the body. Dried old tentacles can be reactivated with a little water. The only creatures known to be immune to box jellyfish are turtles, which eat them.

The stonefish is another reason why people should accept the fact that we were not made for the water. It lies at the bottom of the sea bed, covered in mud, and stings unsuspecting feet that stand on it. It’s the most venomous fish in the world and causes so much pain that victims are said to scream for the relief of amputation.

Nature is beautiful, nature is brilliant and nature is deadly. When we enter nature we enter a realm that is not ours. There is no reason why we can’t enjoy a good commune out in the wild, provided we remember that it is the wild, and show the proper respect and consideration to the animals that make it their home.

For a look at some more of the world’s deadliest animals go to http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/03/deadliest-and-most-unassuming-creatures.html.

Other recommended sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chironex_fleckeri

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonefish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonomia

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Outlook SGE specialists in South African safaris one of the most successful companies organising safaris, catering especially to smaller groups.