Sunday, April 01, 2012
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
WHO’S AFRAID OF BUTTERFLIES?
New Releases: WHO’S AFRAID OF BUTTERFLIES? by Dr Stephen Juan
Title: WHO’S AFRAID OF BUTTERFLIES?Author: Dr Stephen Juan
ISBN: 9780730499329
Released: June 2011
Do you know someone who freaks out at the sight of a puppet (Pupaphobia)? Can’t handle being bathed in moonlight (Lunaphobia)? Or is petrified of twins (Biniphobia)? For everything that exists, there is someone, somewhere, who is deathly afraid of it.
We live in the age of fear. Our fears drive us. We continually look with fear and suspicion towards everything in an increasingly complicated and difficult to understand world. In a world where we feel increasingly out of control- of our society, our community, and even our own lives- our fears seem to control us.
WHO’S AFRAID OF BUTTERFLIES? explains all about fears and the extreme and irrational fears called phobias. Where they come from? We do they persist? Why are they so powerful? How can we get rid of them? How does a fear become a phobia? Why can almost anything become an object of great fear to someone, somewhere? What are the most common phobias? Why?
For those interested in history or current gossip about the famous, what are some of the phobias of the famous? Who is the most phobic famous person? The answer may surprise you.
Dr Stephen Juan is an anthropologist and educator who is best known for his award-winning newspaper and magazine articles and for his TV and radio presentations. Dr Juan grew up in California and for more than 30 years has taught at the University of Sydney where he is the Ashley Montagu Fellow in the Faculty of Education and Social Work. This is the seventh book he has written published by HarperCollins Australia.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Mass rescue of dogs raises spectre of class warfare
Mass rescue of dogs raises spectre of class warfare: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Adolf Hitler had army of talking dogs, claims Dr Jan Bondeson
Adolf Hitler had army of talking dogs, claims Dr Jan Bondeson
Canines could write, read and spell
Dogs trained at Animal Speech School
NAZI scientists tried to breed a secret army of 'educated' dogs that could speak, read and write, according to a new book.
Of all the experiments conducted by Hitler's henchmen in their search for the secret weapon that could help them win the war, the activities of the Tier-Sprechschule may be the most bizarre, according Dr Jan Bondeson, a lecturer at Cardiff University.
So called 'educated' dogs were collected from across Germany and sent for training to the Animal Speech School in Leutenberg, near the northwestern city of Hannover.
They included an Airedale terrier called Rolf who, it was claimed, was able to spell by tapping his paw on a board, each letter of the alphabet being represented by a certain number of taps.
Rolf was said to have discussed religion, learned foreign languages, written poetry and once asked a visiting noblewoman, 'Can you wag your tail?'
Another dog, a German pointer named Don, impressed his handlers by imitating a human voice to bark in German, 'Hungry! Give me cakes.'
The ultimate Nazi hound, however, may have been the dog that barked 'Mein Fuhrer' when asked who Adolf Hitler was.
Dr Bondeson, an author of a number of history books, claims the Nazis viewed dogs as being almost as intelligent as humans and believed that only physical limitations prevented them from interacting as equals.
'In the 1920s, Germany had numerous 'new animal psychologists' who believed dogs were nearly as intelligent as humans, and capable of abstract thinking and communication,' Dr Bondeson told The London Times.
'When the Nazi Party took over, one might have thought they would be building concentration camps to lock these fanatics up, but instead they were actually very interested in their ideas.
'Part of the Nazi philosophy was that there was a strong bond between humans and nature - they believed a good Nazi should be an animal friend.
'Indeed, when they started interning Jews, the newspapers were flooded with outraged letters from Germans wondering what had happened to the pets they left behind. They seemed to think nothing of human rights, but lots about animal rights.'
Hitler himself was well known as a dog lover and had two German shepherds, called Blondi and Bella. He killed Blondi moments before shooting himself in his bunker in April 1945.
Dr Bondeson's book, Amazing Dogs: A Cabinet of Canine Curiosities, also includes chapters on acting dogs, travelling dogs, holy dogs and exceptionally faithful dogs.
Canines could write, read and spell
Dogs trained at Animal Speech School
NAZI scientists tried to breed a secret army of 'educated' dogs that could speak, read and write, according to a new book.
Of all the experiments conducted by Hitler's henchmen in their search for the secret weapon that could help them win the war, the activities of the Tier-Sprechschule may be the most bizarre, according Dr Jan Bondeson, a lecturer at Cardiff University.
So called 'educated' dogs were collected from across Germany and sent for training to the Animal Speech School in Leutenberg, near the northwestern city of Hannover.
They included an Airedale terrier called Rolf who, it was claimed, was able to spell by tapping his paw on a board, each letter of the alphabet being represented by a certain number of taps.
Rolf was said to have discussed religion, learned foreign languages, written poetry and once asked a visiting noblewoman, 'Can you wag your tail?'
Another dog, a German pointer named Don, impressed his handlers by imitating a human voice to bark in German, 'Hungry! Give me cakes.'
The ultimate Nazi hound, however, may have been the dog that barked 'Mein Fuhrer' when asked who Adolf Hitler was.
Dr Bondeson, an author of a number of history books, claims the Nazis viewed dogs as being almost as intelligent as humans and believed that only physical limitations prevented them from interacting as equals.
'In the 1920s, Germany had numerous 'new animal psychologists' who believed dogs were nearly as intelligent as humans, and capable of abstract thinking and communication,' Dr Bondeson told The London Times.
'When the Nazi Party took over, one might have thought they would be building concentration camps to lock these fanatics up, but instead they were actually very interested in their ideas.
'Part of the Nazi philosophy was that there was a strong bond between humans and nature - they believed a good Nazi should be an animal friend.
'Indeed, when they started interning Jews, the newspapers were flooded with outraged letters from Germans wondering what had happened to the pets they left behind. They seemed to think nothing of human rights, but lots about animal rights.'
Hitler himself was well known as a dog lover and had two German shepherds, called Blondi and Bella. He killed Blondi moments before shooting himself in his bunker in April 1945.
Dr Bondeson's book, Amazing Dogs: A Cabinet of Canine Curiosities, also includes chapters on acting dogs, travelling dogs, holy dogs and exceptionally faithful dogs.
Pooch patrol: city adopts one-dog policy | News.com.au
Pooch patrol: city adopts one-dog policy | News.com.au: "Pooch patrol: city adopts one-dog policy
From correspondents in Shanghai
From: AFP
May 16, 2011 4:41PM
Shanghai dogs
Dogs in a park in Shanghai, where their growing popularity has forced a crackdown on ownership / AP
Boom in popularity of dogs as pets
But officials crack down on owners
Expect many to now abandon their dogs
SHANGHAI dog owners have rushed to license their pets over the weekend as the city imposed a new one-dog policy in response to the growing popularity of man's best friend.
Hundreds of citizens microchipped and vaccinated their pets as a new law took effect limiting households to a single canine in an effort to curb rampant barking, unscooped waste and the growing risk of dog attacks, according to state media.
To encourage more pet owners to license their dogs, the government of the commercial metropolis slashed the cost of the permits in the city centre to 500 yuan ($73) from the previous 2,000 yuan, the Shanghai Daily said.
Residents who owned two or more dogs before Sunday will be allowed to keep them but must maintain each dog's permit, state media reported.
Dog ownership has grown alongside China's fast-expanding middle class with official estimates putting Shanghai's pet dog population at 800,000. Previous reports have said only a quarter of that number are registered.
The city's human population was more than 19 million in 2009, according to the government.
Many dog owners postponed obtaining new licences until the cheaper rate took effect, causing a spike in traffic at animal vaccination centres, the Shanghai Daily said.
Animal rescue shelters have also been expanded in the expectation that many owners will abandon their dogs to avoid paying the licence fees, the report said.
The government had previously said tighter regulation was needed to prevent adverse effects on the city's environment from noise, waste, and dog attacks.
There were about 58 million pet dogs in 20 major Chinese cities at the end of 2009 and the figure is rising about 30 per cent each year, according to a recent survey by Beijing-based magazine Dog Fans.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
From correspondents in Shanghai
From: AFP
May 16, 2011 4:41PM
Shanghai dogs
Dogs in a park in Shanghai, where their growing popularity has forced a crackdown on ownership / AP
Boom in popularity of dogs as pets
But officials crack down on owners
Expect many to now abandon their dogs
SHANGHAI dog owners have rushed to license their pets over the weekend as the city imposed a new one-dog policy in response to the growing popularity of man's best friend.
Hundreds of citizens microchipped and vaccinated their pets as a new law took effect limiting households to a single canine in an effort to curb rampant barking, unscooped waste and the growing risk of dog attacks, according to state media.
To encourage more pet owners to license their dogs, the government of the commercial metropolis slashed the cost of the permits in the city centre to 500 yuan ($73) from the previous 2,000 yuan, the Shanghai Daily said.
Residents who owned two or more dogs before Sunday will be allowed to keep them but must maintain each dog's permit, state media reported.
Dog ownership has grown alongside China's fast-expanding middle class with official estimates putting Shanghai's pet dog population at 800,000. Previous reports have said only a quarter of that number are registered.
The city's human population was more than 19 million in 2009, according to the government.
Many dog owners postponed obtaining new licences until the cheaper rate took effect, causing a spike in traffic at animal vaccination centres, the Shanghai Daily said.
Animal rescue shelters have also been expanded in the expectation that many owners will abandon their dogs to avoid paying the licence fees, the report said.
The government had previously said tighter regulation was needed to prevent adverse effects on the city's environment from noise, waste, and dog attacks.
There were about 58 million pet dogs in 20 major Chinese cities at the end of 2009 and the figure is rising about 30 per cent each year, according to a recent survey by Beijing-based magazine Dog Fans.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Australian dangerous creatures
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 Did you know that Northern and North-Eastern Australia have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and are most of the time completely deserted? The reason is Australia has many dangerous animals inhabiting the land. It is very difficult to come across one of these gorgeous animals if you are in the city, but you must take care if you adventure into the more remote areas of Australia.
Box Jellyfish- One of the more deadly animals on the face of the Earth, also called "Sea Wasp". The jelly-fish has a square body, and lives in Northern and North-Eastern Australia. It can be found near the coast along all the Great Barrier Reef which extends as far as 2000 Km. The toxin present on the tentacles (which may reach several feet in length) is so strong, that the few survivors from an encounter with a box jellyfish describe it more as an electrical shock than a burn. After contact, the person will probably leave the water screaming and will faint on the sand with marks on the body that look like streaks. Depending on the area affected, Cardio-Respiratory functions may stop in just 3 minutes, and mouth to mouth resuscitation and first aid procedures are essential to keep the victim alive. It's essential that you stay with the victim, and send someone to phone for or get an ambulance. Vinegar and peeing on the spot may reduce the pain a little bit, but medical assistance is vital to save the victim. The box jellyfish is responsible for more deaths in Australia than snakes, sharks, and salt water crocodiles put together.
The Box Jellyfish reproduces inside mangrove around Cairns and the Port Douglas region, and there has been an increase in numbers for the last couple of years. Scientists don't know why exactly, but they suspect it is due to the diminishing population of sea turtles which are immune to the poison because of their thick shell. Fortunately, the box jellyfish shows up only between November and March. Many councils and beaches in these regions fence the beach with a net during jellyfish season, to protect swimmers. Tackle shops and beach gear shops also sell a kind of vest similar to the ones surfers use, that protects the body as long as you keep your head out of the water.
Irukandji- Another jellyfish but instead of having several tentacles, it is only 1 centimetre or half an inch in length. It can barely be spotted by the naked eye. In the week we wrote this page, 2 deaths were registered by this jellyfish which is the smallest animal on earth capable of killing humans. They inhabit the same region, but instead of killing in a matter of minutes the symptoms are progressive and may take more than 24 hours to show up. Years before, the symptoms were associated with natural causes such as a heart attack or something else, because they are easily confused with pain in the back, difficulty breathing etc.. Only a few years ago scientist started to associate these symptoms and deaths with something so minute as this jellyfish. If the symptoms are not treated in a hospital they may cause death. At present, an University in Cairns has been conducting researches on this animal.
Salt Water Crocodile- As if it's not enough having jellyfish and sharks in the waters off Cairns, Port Douglas, North/East and Northern Territory; God decided to place another beautiful creature there to make paradise not so inviting. These places are full of salt water crocs, happily inhabiting the region. They are 7 meter long monsters; extremely strong, and very ugly! Human meat is not their favorite, but they attack anything that moves around them including sharks. They can be found in any river or beach and can go 200 Km (150 miles) inland or out into the ocean. Differing from the fresh water croc, the salt water one sleeps and swims on the bottom, making it sometimes difficult to spot until its jaws are closed. They never swallow a human, but have enough power to break us in a half and slice us in pieces, leaving us ready to be crab food. This year a German tourist was killed while swimming in the Northern Territory. (In a place marked DANGEROUS - DO NOT SWIM, CROCODILES LIVE HERE!) That's why it is very important to ask local people if the place you plan to swim in is safe or not. By the way, Crocs are a protected species in Australia and if you kill one you are in trouble, but they can kill you anytime they want. Be sure about that. Blue Ring Octopus- This gorgeous animal with many blue rings on the body inhabits the Great Barrier Reef. They are not aggressive and don't grow too much, but if you grab them they will release poison kept in their sting. This poison is very powerful similar to snake bite, and can easily kill a human if medical attention is not given within a couple hours.Barrier Reef Cone Shell- Barrier Reef Cone Shell - The same as the blue ring octopus, it has spots or zigzagging lines on the shell. Immediate medical attention is also required. Scorpion Fish- Scorpion Fish - Another amazing animal from the same family as the Lion Fish. Long spines on the dorsal contain enough poison to kill. They inhabit every area of Australia and prefer coral reefs. They are curious, friendly and approachable creatures but if you touch their spines or stand on them you will experience the worst pains. The best first aid to offer is: to place the area affected in the hottest water you can handle and them get to the hospital ASAP. Note: It's not necessary to turn the ambulance siren on . Your screaming will do the job very well.Stone Fish- Another cousin of the Scorpion fish. This one loves river mouths and rocks instead of coral, but they live in coral too. It is can be found anywhere in Australia, and you should wear shoes when walking on submerged rocks and coral. If you catch one on line, you are better off cutting the line than trying to remove it from the hook. Also this one is ugly, not charming like the Scorpion fish. Hospital, again with sirens will be your destiny if you get stung.Funnel Web, Red Back, White Tail- They are all spiders, in reality little spiders with very powerful venom. Australia is full of different spider species which are found everywhere in Australian backyards, bush, beaches etc...All three spiders mentioned above can be lethal and requires immediate medical attention for the victim, just like a snake bite. The Funnel Web is found more in New South Wales, and its nest is easy to spot because of its funnel shaped web. The Red Back as the name says, has a red stripe along its black back. It is found all over Australia in every single backyard including mine. It is a cousin of the American Black Widow and it doesn't discriminate between country and city. It's easy to spot because the web has a cotton shape that covers the entrance of the hole it lives in. One real danger, is when you sit down on a rest area toilet on a highway. They hide underneath normally in groups. The white tail is rarer, and I hadn't seen even one. Kangaroos - are not really dangerous in the wild, but think about running one over while you driving?! They are about half the size of a cow and can cause serious damage to your car and its occupants. Kangaroos in Australia are free roaming and in huge numbers. On one of our trips, we counted 27 dead in 80 Km (50 miles) of road. For more safety on the roads outside urban centers, try not to drive between sunset and sunrise. To minimize problems with the increasing number of Roos in Australia, the Government authorized the culling of 15,000 kangaroos in 2002.Sharks- They are everywhere inhabiting all Australian coastal waters. But surprisingly they kill less, and cause less harm to humans, than snakes and all of the beautiful creatures mentioned above. In the last couple of years Brazil has had many more shark attacks than Australia, and it seems they have enough food from the ocean, not to need human food. Anyway, it doesn't mean that you are safe. Pay attention when swimming. Some beaches in Australia have shark nets to protect the bathers. Note also that some canals in Australia, like the Gold Coast canal system, have become a reproduction area for some species and all care is recommended; do not swim at night in these beautiful and calm canals. (2 victims died in the last 2 years). Talking about White Pointers, they are protected a species in Australia, and if you kill one, the Government will kill you - I mean, fine or jail you.Snakes - Of the 10 most dangerous snakes in the world, 8 are Australian. The most poisonous snake in the world, is the TAIPAN, whose venom is strong enough to kill 100 adults with only one bite. In second place comes the Brown Snake, capable of sending many to heaven with one bite also. In third, the Tiger Snake, which is as dangerous as the Brown. To the ones who wish to visit the Coast line and walk on the hills over the grass, be aware that it may be dangerous especially during summer time. If bitten, a bandage wrapped around the area is the best thing you can do before getting help as soon as possible. (Try to remember the colour and shape of the snake to describe to the doctor). If you get in a situation where you have a snake a few feet away from you, the best thing to do is to stand still, and wait for the snake to leave.Rivers and Canals: also have some dangers, not only from sharks but also from sting rays. They are very friendly animals and usually they get away from you, but if you stand on them, the sting from their tail, will give you an unforgettable pain.. As the Scorpion fish, no siren will be necessary on your way to hospital. It's very difficult to be a victim of these animals while you are in Australia, but this page was created to alert you of their existence. Every one of these animals has an important role to play in nature, and despite the fact that they can harm us, they should be protected from unnecessary killing. It is just a matter of leaving them alone. By the way, traffic accidents in Australia kill more people every year than all these animals together. Animal phobiasMain articles: Animal phobia and Zoophobia
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Monday, May 16, 2011
The 10 most deadly creatures on earth
This is a list of the 10 most deadly animals found on land and in water. While some may seem innocuous – especially number 1, they lead to millions of deaths every year. From least, to worst, the list:
10. Poison Dart Frog
The backs of the poison dart frog ooze a slimy neurotoxin that is meant to keep predators away. Each frog produces enough of the toxin to kill 10 humans, though, strangely, in captivity, the frogs do not secrete this poison. The frogs are brilliantly coloured and live mainly in Central and South America. [Wikipedia Article]
9. Cape Buffalo
Cape buffalos weigh 1.5 tons and, when faced by danger, attack head on with razor sharp horns. They stand up to 1.7 metres high and 2.8 metres long. Humans are virtually its only predator and even lions will avoid crossing their path. Every year the Cape Buffalo is known to maul and kill multiple humans; some believe that it kills more humans in Africa every year than any other creature. [Wikipedia Article]
8. Polar Bear
These massive creatures, native to the Arctic, regularly eat elephant seals and could cut off a human head with one swipe of its paw. The Polar Bear is the most carnivorous of all the Bears and will eat walruses, whales, rheindeer, and even other polar beers. [Wikipeida Article]
7. Elephant
African Elephants, with their sharp tusks, are not as friendly as many believe. They kill over 500 people per year (either by stomping or impaling). The African Elephant generally weighs in at 16 tons. [Wikipedia Article]
6. Saltwater Crocodile
This is the largest of all living reptiles and is found mainly in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia. A healthy adult is typically 4.8 – 7 metres (15.75ft – 21ft) long, weighing up to 1.6 tons. There have been reports of larger. This creature is capable of killing and eating animals up tot he size of a water buffalo. In its most deadly attack (called the Death Roll) the crocodile grabs an animal or human with its mouth and begins to roll. A 1ton stallion is known to have been killed by this method in under 1 minute. In the water, the crocodile can move as fast as a dolphin. [Wikipedia Article]
5. African Lion
The African Lion can reach up to half a ton. Lions are thought to kill up to 70 humans per year in Tanzania. These large animals are eclipsed in size only slightly by the tiger. [Wikipedia Article]
4. Great White Shark
This shark is an exceptionally large shark found in coastal waters in all major oceans. It can reach lengths of up to 6 metres and can weigh up to 5 tons. The Great White Shark is the worlds largest known predatory fish. It is the only surviving species of its genus. In general these creatures do not attack humans, and (while there have been some fatalities) the majority of attacks on humans are believed to be test bites – the Great White Shark are known to test bite other objects in order to determine what they are. More people are killed each year in the US by dogs than Great White Sharks in the last 100 years. [Wikipedia Article]
3. Box Jellyfish
Also known as the wasp jellyfish, this salad-bowl sized jellyfish can have up to 60 tentacles as long as 15 feet. Each tentacle has enough toxin to kill 50 humans. They are found in Australia, the Philippines, and many other tropical areas. Since 1884 at least 5,567 deaths have been attributed to these creatures. [Wikipedia Article]
2. Asian Cobra
While the Asian cobra does not have the deadliest venom, it does make the most of what it has, causing the largest chunk of the 50 thousand deaths by snakebite per year. An average cobra is about 1 metre in length. [Wikipedia Article]
1. The Mosquito
Due to malaria carrying parasites transferred by the mosquito, it is responsible for the deaths of more than two million people per year. In addition, Mosquitos are estimated to transfer diseases to more than 70 million people per year. Even in countries such as the UK, New Zealand, and Japan, where the more temperate climate has reduced mosquito bites to mostly an annoyance, they still cause some deaths every year. [Wikipedia Article]
10. Poison Dart Frog
The backs of the poison dart frog ooze a slimy neurotoxin that is meant to keep predators away. Each frog produces enough of the toxin to kill 10 humans, though, strangely, in captivity, the frogs do not secrete this poison. The frogs are brilliantly coloured and live mainly in Central and South America. [Wikipedia Article]
9. Cape Buffalo
Cape buffalos weigh 1.5 tons and, when faced by danger, attack head on with razor sharp horns. They stand up to 1.7 metres high and 2.8 metres long. Humans are virtually its only predator and even lions will avoid crossing their path. Every year the Cape Buffalo is known to maul and kill multiple humans; some believe that it kills more humans in Africa every year than any other creature. [Wikipedia Article]
8. Polar Bear
These massive creatures, native to the Arctic, regularly eat elephant seals and could cut off a human head with one swipe of its paw. The Polar Bear is the most carnivorous of all the Bears and will eat walruses, whales, rheindeer, and even other polar beers. [Wikipeida Article]
7. Elephant
African Elephants, with their sharp tusks, are not as friendly as many believe. They kill over 500 people per year (either by stomping or impaling). The African Elephant generally weighs in at 16 tons. [Wikipedia Article]
6. Saltwater Crocodile
This is the largest of all living reptiles and is found mainly in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia. A healthy adult is typically 4.8 – 7 metres (15.75ft – 21ft) long, weighing up to 1.6 tons. There have been reports of larger. This creature is capable of killing and eating animals up tot he size of a water buffalo. In its most deadly attack (called the Death Roll) the crocodile grabs an animal or human with its mouth and begins to roll. A 1ton stallion is known to have been killed by this method in under 1 minute. In the water, the crocodile can move as fast as a dolphin. [Wikipedia Article]
5. African Lion
The African Lion can reach up to half a ton. Lions are thought to kill up to 70 humans per year in Tanzania. These large animals are eclipsed in size only slightly by the tiger. [Wikipedia Article]
4. Great White Shark
This shark is an exceptionally large shark found in coastal waters in all major oceans. It can reach lengths of up to 6 metres and can weigh up to 5 tons. The Great White Shark is the worlds largest known predatory fish. It is the only surviving species of its genus. In general these creatures do not attack humans, and (while there have been some fatalities) the majority of attacks on humans are believed to be test bites – the Great White Shark are known to test bite other objects in order to determine what they are. More people are killed each year in the US by dogs than Great White Sharks in the last 100 years. [Wikipedia Article]
3. Box Jellyfish
Also known as the wasp jellyfish, this salad-bowl sized jellyfish can have up to 60 tentacles as long as 15 feet. Each tentacle has enough toxin to kill 50 humans. They are found in Australia, the Philippines, and many other tropical areas. Since 1884 at least 5,567 deaths have been attributed to these creatures. [Wikipedia Article]
2. Asian Cobra
While the Asian cobra does not have the deadliest venom, it does make the most of what it has, causing the largest chunk of the 50 thousand deaths by snakebite per year. An average cobra is about 1 metre in length. [Wikipedia Article]
1. The Mosquito
Due to malaria carrying parasites transferred by the mosquito, it is responsible for the deaths of more than two million people per year. In addition, Mosquitos are estimated to transfer diseases to more than 70 million people per year. Even in countries such as the UK, New Zealand, and Japan, where the more temperate climate has reduced mosquito bites to mostly an annoyance, they still cause some deaths every year. [Wikipedia Article]
Most dangerous animals in Australia
MOST UNUSUAL, MOST DANGEROUS
| DEADLY, DASTARDLY, OR JUST PLAIN OBNOXIOUS… AUSTRALIA’S MOST DANGEROUS ANIMALS |
| Okay, here’s the skinny: The reason Australia has so many cute, cuddly creatures like koalas and kangaroos is that there are very few dangerous animals in Australia to bother them. Remember, at one time, the whole world was filled with marsupials like the kangaroo, but they all got eaten up by the lions and tigers and bears. Fortunately, there are no lions, tigers, or bears in Australia. There are, however, some critters that us humans could definitely do without, especially if we decide to take a swim on one of Australia’s thousands of beaches. I. The Sea Wasp  The Sea Wasp or the box jellyfish is one of the most deadly stinging animals in the sea. The sea wasp has a large transparent body shaped like a box or a bell, that can be as large as a bucket, and can weigh as much as five pounds. A cluster of 16 long semi-transparent tentacles stream out from under the bell of the box jellyfish. Millions of stinging capsules cover each of the tentacles. The stinging capsules discharge lethal poison into the skin of any creature that touches them. Children who have been stung by the sea wasp have died within minutes of being stung. II. The Portuguese Man-Of War  The Portuguese Man-Of War is another stinging jellyfish, and although it is much more widespread and common than the box jellyfish or sea wasp, it is not as deadly as the sea wasp. The Portuguese man-o-war is commonly called the blue-bottle in Australia. Actually, the Portuguese man-o-war is not a single marine animal, but consists of a large colony of smaller marine organisms. The blue-bottle gets its name from the body, which really is a large, gas- filled float. The float has a crest, that is used much as a sail to propel the colony across the water when the wind blows. Although the sting from the Portuguese man-o-war is not deadly to humans, a person who comes into contact with a Portuguese man-o-war or blue-bottle will still experience a sharp severe pain. |  | III. The Blue-Ringed Octopus IV. The Saltwater Crocodile The Blue-Ringed Octopus is another one of the smaller, but more deadly marine animals that inhabit the coastal waters around Australia. The blue-ringed octopus is normally light in color, with dark brown bands over its eight arms and body, with blue circles superimposed on these dark brown bands. When the octopus is disturbed or taken out of the water, the colors darken and the rings turn a brilliant electric-blue color, and it is this color change that gives the animal its name. The blue-ringed octopus secretes a very deadly poison, either by biting with its parrot-like beak, or by squirting the poison into the water surrounding it. The direct bite from the blue-ringed octopus is usually painless, but the deadly effects of the poison will be noticed immediately. The poison apparently interferes with the body's nervous system. The victim will immediately experience numbness of the mouth and tongue, blurring of vision, loss of touch, difficulty with speech and swallowing, and paralysis of the legs and nausea. If the victim does not receive medical treatment immediately, full paralysis may occur within minutes, followed by unconsciousness and death due to heart failure and lack of oxygen. There is no antivenom for the poison from a blue-ringed octopus. It is usually necessary to perform continuous CPR on a victim until the effects of the venom have subsided. This may take several hours, but it may mean the difference between life or death for the victim.  The adult saltwater crocodile will eat anything that comes too close to it. That includes fish, birds, and mammals of any size, including humans, that venture near the water's edge. Even though the crocodile looks like it should be clumsy on land, the saltwater crocodile is extremely fast, and it is, of course, an excellent swimmer and an expert at camouflage. Crocodiles can actually outrun a horse over short distances. V. Sharks  Many kinds of sharks live in the warm waters around Australia, like the Whale shark, the Basking shark, the Oceanic White-Tip shark, Dusky shark, Leopard shark and the Hammer shark.. However the largest and most scary, the Great White, is also the most common shark in Australian waters. The smallest shark is the Dwarf shark, and the largest is the Whale shark. As dangerous as they can be, most sharks will not attack humans unless bothered, and actually, sharks themselves don’t have an easy time of it. Dolphins attack sharks in groups to protect their young. The shark's biggest enemy is humans who attack sharks for food, sports and to protect beaches. Sharks appear to be smooth, but up close they have sharp points that are tough. A sharks' body is also streamlined so they can move quickly and easily through the water. Sharks eat other sharks, seals, fish, baby dolphins, birds and sometimes humans…mostly because they mistake them for seals. |  | On dry land, the danger is mostly from snakes and insects. And, as a matter of fact, Australia claims to have more species of venomous snakes than any other continent on earth, and a collection of spiders which are also among the world's most poisonous. Ugh. I. The Red Bellied BlackSnake  The Red Bellied Black Snake grows to about three feet in length. Its upper surface is glossy black and its underside is red. It is found near streams and lagoons of eastern Australia. It hunts by day, feeding on frogs, small mammals and other reptiles. Its venom is dangerous to man. II. The Tiger snake  The Tiger snake is one of the deadliest snakes in the world, and can be found in the Australian Southwest. The body and tail can be a greenish brown, brown, olive dark brown or blackish brown with distinctive bands that are greenish, grey-white or yellowish white. The Tiger snake shelters in or under fallen rotten timber; under rocks, in deep dense matted vegetation and in empty animal burrows. It feeds on frogs, lizards, nestling birds and snall mammals. III. The Taipan    The Taipan is the most venomous snake in Australia. Male and female are both very aggressive if cornered, but for the most part, taipans steer clear of humans. The taipan has the longest fangs of any Australian snake, and can be up to a half-inch long. IV. Red-Backed Spider:  Red-back Spiders are related to our Black Widow Spider. They are brownish black with an obvious orange to red stripe on the upper abdomen and an "hourglass" shaped spot on the underside of the abdomen. Females have a body about the size of a large pea and slender legs. Red-back bites occur frequently, but only the female bite is dangerous. They can cause serious illness and have caused deaths. Because of their small jaws many bites are ineffective. Common early symptoms are pain (which can become severe), sweating (always including local sweating at bite site), muscular weakness, nausea and vomiting. An antivenene is available. No deaths have occurred since its introduction. V. The Tree-dwelling Funnel-web Spider  The Tree-dwelling Funnel-web Spideris the most dangerous spider in Australia, and among the most dangerous spiders in the world.They are found from northern New South Wales to southern Queensland, usually in heavily timbered areas which are rarely entered by man. Interestingly, not all creatures are affected by the poison. For example, a rabbit can be injected with a large quantity of Funnel-web spider venom without ill effect. A small dose can be lethal to humans. The male of this spider is five times more dangerous than the female. |
How to approach a dog safely- dogs are not toys
Experts reveal why dogs bite
7News Adelaide, Yahoo!7 May 16, 2011, 3:27 pm
Experts stress it's important to supervise children when around pets.New research has revealed that half of dog bite victims are young children, who pat resting pets.
The findings have animal experts urging parents to teach their kids the warning signs of an upset dog, particularly when most injuries are from dogs that are known to the child.
TV Vet, Dr Harry Cooper, said it is important to teach children what an aggressive dog looks like.
"They may have a dog of their own and that dog’s happy and friendly so they just think every dog’s happy and friendly," he said.
"So if a dog bares its teeth, as they do, and starts to growl, they don’t know what that is."
International experts agree and say it's often best to follow the old adage and 'just let sleeping dogs lie'.
"If the dog approaches you, that's a better scenario," President-elect of the American College of Veterinary Behaviourists, Dr Jacqueline Neilson said.
"But, the vast responsibility lies upon the parents to actually make sure that they’re doing the appropriate management and supervision, to make sure that the child doesn’t put itself in a dangerous situation."
Dog experts, together in Adelaide for the Australian Veterinary Association's annual conference, also agree that smaller houses and busier lifestyles mean animal owners aren't socialising dogs enough to prepare them for contact with other people.
"At this day and age we’re keeping our dogs confined behind fences, on leads, indoors a lot more, so that opportunity to engage with the wider world is much smaller," Australian Veterinary Association spokeswoman, Dr Debbie Calnon said.
Dr Neilson agrees.
"Unfortunately, as more and more people have become city dwellers, they have also become less familiar with how to interact safely with dogs and other animals," she said.
Experts say the best benefit of 'puppy schools' is that it gets the dog used to unfamiliar surroundings, reducing the anxiety and confusion that brings about aggression in dogs.
"Education is vital to dog bite prevention in modern communities, and understanding dog behaviour is an important step towards having the right tools to educate both animals and people," Dr Neilson said.
And Dr Harry's top tip for teaching kids to approach dogs?
"I would always use a closed fist held below the dog’s nose and then if you’re going to scratch the dog, scratch it under the chin," he said.
"Because patting a dog on the top of the head, which 99 out of every 100 people do, and it took me 30 years to stop doing it myself, is the wrong way to go."
He estimates there are about 50,000 hospitalisations for dog bites in Australia each year and said it's important to remember dogs aren't toys.
"Kids get bitten all the time... we need to educate them on what an aggressive dog looks like and what it’s going to do if you take that extra step." he said.
"The way (for kids) to approach a dog, is to always approach a dog with somebody, never a dog on its own."
"So if this dog is on a lead and the child is with an adult then I think the two can meet and the child should ask the owner of the dog, ‘Can I say hi to your dog?’"
iPhone application
Off Leash (FREE)
This is a very nice little iPhone app by Eukanuba that helps you locate off-leash dog parks. So, if you've been driving for a few hours, and your dog has been crated in the back of your car and really needs to get out and run, but you're in an area that you are unfamiliar with... this app can locate the 5 closest off leash dog parks and give you turn-by-turn directions!
For some reason it does not work in Pyrmont
This is a very nice little iPhone app by Eukanuba that helps you locate off-leash dog parks. So, if you've been driving for a few hours, and your dog has been crated in the back of your car and really needs to get out and run, but you're in an area that you are unfamiliar with... this app can locate the 5 closest off leash dog parks and give you turn-by-turn directions!
For some reason it does not work in Pyrmont
New application you must have
As dog owners will know, the most fun your furry friend can have, aside from sniffing other dog’s butts, is to be let off the leash to run riot in a dog park, in which case the former may well happen. In order to help you locate such places – regardless of your zip code – pet food maker Eukanuba’s “Off Leash” app locates the five nearest to your location and provides driving directions to get there. Walkies!
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