Wild

When Animals Get Angry

2010-04-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

Lions are powerful animals that usually hunt in coordinated groups and stalk their chosen prey. However, they are not particularly known for their stamina - for instance, a lioness' heart makes up only 0.57 percent of her body weight (a male's is about 0.45 percent of his body weight), whereas a hyena's heart is close to 1 percent of its body weight. Thus, although lionesses can reach speeds of 81 km/h (50 mph), they only can do so for short bursts so they have to be close to their prey before starting the attack. They take advantage of factors that reduce visibility; many kills take place near some form of cover or at night. They sneak up to the victim until they reach a distance of approximately 30 metres (98 ft) or less. Typically, several lionesses work together and encircle the herd from different points. Once they have closed with a herd, they usually target the closest prey. The attack is short and powerful; they attempt to catch the victim with a fast rush and final leap. The prey usually is killed by strangulation, which can cause cerebral ischemia or asphyxia (which results in hypoxemic, or "general," hypoxia). The prey also may be killed by the lion enclosing the animal's mouth and nostrils in its jaws (which would also result in asphyxia). Smaller prey, though, may simply be killed by a swipe of a lion's paw.

Bullfighting Went Wrong (Video)

2010-04-03T00:18:00.000-07:00

Bullfighting is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal and some cities in southern France, in which one or more bulls are ritually killed in a bullring as a public spectacle.

On 18 of December 2009 the parliament of Catalonia approved by majority the preparation of a Law to ban bullfighting in Catalonia, as a response to a popular initiative against bullfighting that gathered more than 180,000 signatures. This has been strongly criticized mainly by Spanish media relating this decision to nationalism and not to animal rights.

In 2004, the Barcelona city council held a symbolic vote against bullfighting, but bullfighting in Barcelona continues as of 2009. Several other towns in Spain have approved similar symbolic bans on bullfighting. Many supporters of bullfighting regard it as a deeply ingrained, integral part of their national cultures. The aesthetic of bullfighting is based on the interaction of the man and the bull. Rather than a competitive sport, the bullfight is more of a ritual which is judged by aficionados (bullfighting fans) based on artistic impression and command. Ernest Hemingway said of it in his 1932 non-fiction book Death in the Afternoon: "Bullfighting is the only art in which the artist is in danger of death and in which the degree of brilliance in the performance is left to the fighter's honour." Bullfighting is seen as a symbol of Spanish culture.

Fattail Scorpion (The Deadliest Scorpion In The World)

2010-01-16T01:31:00.000-08:00

Fattail Scorpion are the most dangerous and fetal Scorpion specie in the world. They are a moderate sized scorpion, attaining lengths of 10 cm (just under 4 in).Their venom contains powerful neurotoxins and is especially potent. Stings from Fattail Scoprions are known to cause several human deaths each year. Several pharmaceutical companies manufacture an antivenom for its treatment.

Gormar Scorpion

2010-01-16T01:19:00.000-08:00

Gormar is the second most deadliest Scorpion in the world. Inhabitant of Venezuela's villages, this venomous and aggressive creature is called as "Devil" by the villigers, and rightly so, because it can kill a healthy person in 5-10 minutes if proper and prompt medication is not provided.

Parabuthus Scorpion

2010-01-16T01:15:00.000-08:00

It is the most venomous scorpion in the south of Africa and is therefore dangerous to allergic persons and children. The spitting scorpion has relatively small pincers using instead its ability to spray venom over 1 metre as its main defense.

Elephant's Graveyard

2010-01-16T01:14:00.001-08:00

An elephant graveyard is a place where, according to legend, older elephants instinctively direct themselves when they reach a certain age. They then die there alone, far from the group. The term has entered the proverbial store of English metaphors as a venerable repository or resting place for a collection, group or type.

Origin

There are several theories about the term's origin. One theory revolves around people finding groups of elephant skeletons together, or observing old elephants and skeletons in the same habitat as Kenneth Armitage suggests. Others such as Enrico Bruhl suggest that the term may spring from group die-offs such as one he excavated in Saxony-Anhalt which had 27 Palaeoloxodon antiquus skeletons. In that particular case the tusks of the skeletons were missing, which indicates either that hunters killed a group of elephants in one spot, or else that opportunistic scavengers removed the tusks from a natural die-off.

Other theories focus on elephant behavior during lean times, suggesting that starving elephants gather in places where finding food is easier, and subsequently die there. Similarly, Rupert Sheldrake notes that elephant skeletons are frequently found in groups near permanent sources of water and suggests that elephants suffering from malnutrition instinctively seek out sources of water in the hopes of improving their condition. The elephants that do not improve develop increasingly low blood sugar, slip into a coma and die. Finally, older elephants whose teeth have worn out (typically after their sixth set of teeth) seek out soft water plants and eventually die near watering holes.

The myth was popularised in films such as Trader Horn and MGM's Tarzan talkies, in which groups of greedy explorers attempt to locate the elephants' graveyard, on the fictional Mutia Escarpment, in search of its riches of ivory. More recently, Walt Disney's The Lion King referred to the motif.

Terror Of "Big Four"

2010-01-15T22:34:00.000-08:00

The Big Four are the four venomous snake species considered to be responsible for the greatest number of human deaths caused by snakebite in South Asia.

The Big Four:

Indian cobra, Symptoms of cobra envenomation can begin from 15 minutes to two hours after the bite, and can be fatal in less than an hour. It is the most dangerous of the Big Four.

Common krait, Krait venom is extremely neurotoxic and quickly induces muscle paralysis. It is many times more venomous than that of the common cobras.If death occurs it takes place approximately 6-8 hours after the krait bite. Cause of death is general respiratory failure i.e. suffocation.

Russell's viper, Envenomation symptoms begin with pain at the site of the bite, immediately followed by swelling of the affected extremity. Bleeding is a common symptom, especially from the gums, and sputum may show signs of blood within 20 minutes post-bite. There is a drop in blood pressure and the heart rate falls. Blistering occurs at the site of the bite, developing along the affected limb in severe cases. Necrosis is usually superficial and limited to the muscles near the bite, but may be severe in extreme cases. Vomiting and facial swelling occurs in about one-third of all cases.

Saw-scaled viper, Local symptoms include swelling and pain, which appear within minutes of a bite. In very bad cases the swelling may extend up the entire affected limb within 12-24 hours and blisters form on the skin. The venom yield from individual specimens varies considerably, as does the quantity injected per bite. About 20% of all bites are fatal.

Another famous species, the king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah, is not a member of the Big Four. This species may have a potent venom of which it can inject enormous quantities and is deadlier when compared to the smaller species listed above, but it is actually rather shy, living mostly in dense jungle where it rarely comes into contact with humans. It also feeds only on other snakes not mice which may not be found in high population regions (hence its scientific name, which means "snake-eater king") and is even listed as a threatened species.

The members of the Big Four, on the other hand, are all quite common and bite readily. They are often found in proximity to human habitation, as they are attracted to the associated rodent populations on which they feed. These species are all primarily nocturnal and most victims are bitten at night when walking barefoot and accidentally stepping on them. Thus it is these snakes' feeding behavior, combined with their density in populated areas, which causes these snakes to account for the majority of snakebite incidents in India.

Polyvalent serum has been developed in India specifically for treatment of snake bite by any of the Big Four cases. The serum is widely available in India and is used to save the lives of people bitten by any of these snakes. Antivenin for the king cobra is not available in India, but is available in Thailand where, presumably, the likelihood of encounter with this snake is greater.

Inland Taipan

2010-01-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

The Inland Taipan is the most venomous land snake on Earth.The average venom yield is 44 mg, 110 mg being the largest recorded, and the venom has a mouse LD₅₀ of 0.03 mg/kg. Its venom is 200-400 times more toxic than most rattlesnakes and 50 times as toxic as a cobra. The Inland Taipan has neurotoxic venom that could potentially kill an adult human in 45 minutes.

There have been no documented human fatalities; bites were treated using antivenom. As of late 2003, all bites positively identified as having been caused by the Inland Taipan have occurred in herpetologists handling the snake, although there are many case reports of bites likely caused by the species.

Russell's viper

2010-01-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

The amount of venom produced by individual specimens is considerable. Reported venom yields for adult specimens range from 130–250 mg to 150–250 mg to 21–268 mg. For 13 juveniles with an average length of 79 cm, the average venom yield was 8–79 mg (mean 45 mg).

The LD₅₀ in mice, which is used as a general indicator of snake venom toxicity, is as follows: 0.08–0.31 μg/g intravenous, 0.40 μg/kg intraperitoneal, 4.75 mg/kg subcutaneous. For most humans a lethal dose is 40–70 mg. In general, the toxicity depends on a combination of five different venom fractions, each of which is less toxic when tested separately. Venom toxicity also varies within populations and over time.

Envenomation symptoms begin with pain at the site of the bite, immediately followed by swelling of the affected extremity. Bleeding is a common symptom, especially from the gums, and sputum may show signs of blood within 20 minutes post-bite. There is a drop in blood pressure and the heart rate falls. Blistering occurs at the site of the bite, developing along the affected limb in severe cases. Necrosis is usually superficial and limited to the muscles near the bite, but may be severe in extreme cases. Vomiting and facial swelling occurs in about one-third of all cases.

Severe pain may last for 2–4 weeks. Locally, it may persist depending on the level of tissue damage. Often, local swelling peaks within 48–72 hours, involving both the affected limb and the trunk. If swelling up to the trunk occurs within 1–2 hours, massive envenomation is likely. Discoloration may occur throughout the swollen area as red blood cells and plasma leak into muscle tissue. Death from septicaemia, respiratory or cardiac failure may occur 1 to 14 days post-bite or even later.

Eastern Brown Snake

2010-01-15T12:50:00.001-08:00

The Eastern Brown Snake is the second most venomous land snake in the world after the Inland Taipan. Their venom is very toxic, and can be fatal; even juveniles have caused human fatalities. The venom contains both neurotoxins and blood coagulants.

Eastern Brown Snakes are also aggressive. Compared to most snakes that will flee when ever possible, Brown Snakes are much more likely to stand their ground, heightening the danger in an encounter. Without medical treatment, death is highly likely.

Coastal Taipan

2010-01-15T12:47:00.000-08:00

The coastal taipan is the fourth most venomous land snake in the world and arguably the largest venomous snake in Australia. Its venom contains taicatoxin, a highly potent neurotoxin. The danger posed by the coastal taipan was brought to Australian public awareness in 1950, when young herpetologist Kevin Budden was fatally bitten in capturing the first specimen available for antivenom research. The coastal taipan is often considered to be one of the deadliest species in the world.

Philippine Cobra

2010-01-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

Drop by drop, the Northern Philippine Cobra has the most potent venom of all the species in the genus Naja. The venom is mainly composed of neurotoxins. The postsynaptic neurotoxins interrupt the transmission of nerve signals by binding to the neuro-muscular junctions near the muscles. The symptoms might include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizzyness, collapse, convulsions.

Particularly in children, collapse and convulsions may be the first evidence of envenoming, at least for certain species. It is often assumed that hypotension will occur in response to envenoming, but hypertension is also common and both tachycardia and bradycardia are reported. Complete respiratory failure leads to victim's death.

Indian Cobra

2010-01-15T11:39:00.000-08:00

The Indian Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft). Thesnake is responsible for the greatest number of human deaths caused by snakebite in South Asia.

The King Cobra's venom, which is composed mostly of proteins and polypeptides, is produced in specialized salivary glands located just behind the animal's eyes (as in other snakes). When biting its prey, venom is forced through the snake's half-inch (1.25 cm) fangs and into the wound. In the past, King Cobra venom was treated as 1.7 mg/kg in LD/50 value (which is one of the least toxic elapids.) However, this is not always true. According to the recent toxinology study, the LD/50 of Chinese King Cobra venom is 0.34 mg/kg-0.46 mg/kg which means it is more venomous than most of the other cobra species, like chinese cobra. Although this toxicity is still weaker than some of the other elapids (like taipan, krait, etc), King Cobras can deliver larger quantities of venom than most other species. It injects 380-600 mg of venom(which is enough to kill 20-40 grown men) in a single bite, and can even kill an elephant within 3 hours. One bite from a King Cobra can cause death within 15 minutes for a human. However, death usually occurs between 30-45 minutes.

The King Cobra's venom is primarily neurotoxic and thus attacks the victim's central nervous system and induces severe pain, blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and paralysis. Envenomation progresses to cardiovascular collapse, and the victim falls into a coma. Death soon follows because of respiratory failure. There are two types of antivenom made specifically to treat King Cobra envenomations. The Red Cross in Thailand manufactures one, and the Central Research Institute in India manufactures the other; however, both are made in small quantities and are not widely available. Ohanin, a protein component of the venom, causes hypolocomotion and hyperalgesia in mammals. Other components have cardiotoxic, cytotoxic and neurotoxic effects.

Despite the King Cobra's fearsome reputation and deadly bite, it is a shy and reclusive animal, avoiding confrontation with humans as often as possible. There are other venomous snakes within this species' range, in fact, that are responsible for more fatal snake bites than the King Cobra, such as the Monocled Cobra, or Russell's Viper .

In Burma, King Cobras are often used by female snake charmers. The charmer is usually tattooed with three pictograms using an ink mixed with snake venom; superstition holds that it protects the charmer from the snake. The charmer kisses the snake on the top of its head at the end of the show.

Black Mamba

2010-01-15T11:34:00.000-08:00

Black Mamba, is an elapid snake and is one of Africa's most dangerous and feared snakes. Black mambas are among the most venomous snakes in Africa, with a LD₅₀ of 0.25 mg/kg. A bite from a black mamba delivers about 100–120 mg of venom on average; however it can deliver up to 400 mg. About 10-15 mg of its venom is enough to kill an adult. The initial symptom of the bite is local pain in the bite area, although not as severe as in a bite from snakes with cytotoxins.

The victim soon experiences a tingling sensation in the mouth and extremities, dizziness, erratic heartbeat, ptosis, diplopia (double vision), dysphagia, tunnel vision, ophthalmoparesis, severe confusion, dysarthria, fever, diaphoresis (excessive perspiration), excessive salivation (including foaming of the mouth and nose), and pronounced ataxia (lack of muscle control). If the victim does not receive medical attention, symptoms rapidly progress to severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, lymphadenopathy, severe dyspnea (shortness of breath), epistaxis, pallor, shock, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and paralysis. Eventually, the victim experiences convulsions, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, coma, and then death. Without antivenom, the mortality rate nears 100%, the highest among venomous snakes.

Depending on the nature of the bite, death can result at any time between 15 minutes and 3 hours. On average, however, death usually occurs 30 to 60 minutes after envenomation. Factors associated with the nature of the bite include penetration of one or both fangs, amount of venom injected, location of the bite, and proximity to major blood vessels. The health of the snake and the interval since it last used its venom mechanism may also be factors. The health, size, age, and psychological state of the individual bitten is also a determining factor.

Tiger Snake

2010-01-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

Tiger snakes possess a potent neurotoxin, coagulants, haemolysins and myotoxins, and rank amongst the deadliest snakes in the world. Symptoms of a bite include localized pain in the foot and neck region, tingling, numbness, and sweating, followed by a fairly rapid onset of breathing difficulties and paralysis. While antivenom is effective, mortality rate for this species is over 60% if not treated.

Treatment is the same for all deadly Australian snakes. The Pressure Immobilization Method (PIM) is used to inhibit the flow of venom through the lymphatic system. Broad thick bandages are applied over the bite, then down and back along the limb to the armpit or groin. The affected limb is then immobilized with a splint. Identification of the venom is possible if traces are left near the wound. You do not need to identify the snake if bitten in Tasmania, however, as the same antivenom is used to treat all Tasmanian snakes' bites. The availability of antivenom has greatly reduced the incidence of fatal tiger snake bites, the number of deaths is now exceeded by the Brown snake.

Common Krait

2010-01-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

After Indian Kobra, Common Krait is responsible for the greatest number of human deaths due to snake bite in South Asia.
Krait venom is extremely neurotoxic and quickly induces muscle paralysis. Clinically, their venom contains pre-synaptic neurotoxins. And it is many times more venomous than that of the common cobras.These neurotoxins generally affect the nerve endings near the synaptic gap of the brain. Fortunately, since kraits are nocturnal they seldom encounter humans during daylight hours, so incidents are rare. Note that there is frequently little or no pain from a krait bite and this can provide false reassurance to the victim.

Typically, victims complain of severe abdominal cramps, accompanied by progressive paralysis. As there are no local symptoms, a patient should be carefully observed for signs of paralysis (eg the onset of ptosis) and treated urgently with antivenom. Note that it is also possible to support bite victims via mechanical ventilation, using equipment of the type generally available at hospitals. Such support should be provided until the venom is metabolised and the victim can breathe unaided. If death occurs it takes place approximately 6-8 hours after the krait bite. Cause of death is general respiratory failure i.e. suffocation.