SAS Urban Survival Handbook (101 page)

URBANIZED WILDLIFE

Depending on where you are in the world, most cities have urbanized wild animals. Most come in to scavenge – and pose little threat unless cornered. Their natural habitat may have been eroded by civilization, and they may have little choice but to scavenge as a means of survival. Racoons, bears, wolves, foxes – even leopards – like to raid waste bins.

On a day-to-day basis, rabies is still a major problem throughout much of the world, and capable of infecting anything from monkeys to dogs to humans. Be very wary of touching a wild animal that appears to be sick or dying and yet is unusually tame. Rabies is a ‘clever’ virus, altering normal animal behaviour as a means of spreading the disease. Consequently, a wild animal may become ‘tame’ and a domestic pet savage.

Rabies is just one of the many illnesses transmitted by vectors—in other words, disease carriers (see HEALTH:
Zoonoses
). External and internal parasites also represent attack on a microscopic scale.

DOGS

Most dog breeds were intended for specific purposes: guarding, herding, droving, baiting animals or fighting. These origins can be expected to affect their temperament. Powerful dogs need training, discipline and regular exercise, or may become dangerous and uncontrollable. Here’s a guide to aid recognition of common types. 1 ▶ German shepherd
(Alsatian) Versatile guard, used by the police and as a guide dog. Alert and reliable with stamina. Height at shoulder: 66 cm (26 in).
2 ▶Doberman
Developed as a guard in the 1870s. Tough and quick-thinking, but needs careful handling /training. Can be an anti-social nuisance. Height: 68 cm (27 in).
3▶Rottweiler
The heavyweight guard, originally a cattle dog. Widely used by police and military. Height: 68 cm (27 in).
4▶American pitbull terrier
American-bred fighter, extremely strong and very quick. Bred for a low pain threshold.

Height: 48 cm (19 in).
5 ▶Bull mastiff
Wellestablished guard, although the breed is only a century old. Originally used to pin down poachers. Height : 68 cm (27 in).
6▶Giant schnauzer
Bavarian dog bred for droving cattle and pigs, then used as a police and army dog. Height: about 65 cm (25 1/2in).
7 ▶Bouvier des Flandres
Bred as a cattle drover, makes a fine guard. Normally calm, but formidable when roused. Height: 68 cm (27 in).
8 ▶Australian cattle dog
An extremely tough working dog, with great endurance. Needs plenty of activity. Could become difficult if restricted by city life. Height: 51 cm (20 in).
9 ▶Corgi
Droving dog, bred to nip the heels of cattle to keep them moving. They take an interest in ankles! Height: 30 cm (12 in).
10 ▶Jack Russell terrier
Bred (as most terriers) for digging out rabbits and other animals. Small plucky dog, unintimidated by the size of an opponent (including humans!). Height: 30 cm (12 in).

POISONOUS SNAKES

Poisonous snakes are rarely a danger in most cities. Many countries have no poisonous snakes at all. If you are in snake country, always seek advice and take precautions.

EUROPE

1▶ Adder
Vipera berus
The only poisonous snake of northern Europe, it varies from olive-grey to reddish-brown, sometimes with a darker zigzag pattern. Timid, but strikes quickly/repeatedly if cornered or alarmed. Length: 30-75 cm (12-30 in).
Bite rarely fatal.
Larger and more dangerous relatives in southern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and across northern Asia to Korea.

AUSTRALASIA

2▶Death adder
Acanthopis antarcticus
Thick-bodied and brownish, reddish or grey with darker banding. Well camouflaged, it seldom moves away when approached but waits for prey to investigate then strikes. Length: 45-60cm (18- 24 in).
Highly venomous.
One of Australia’s deadliest snakes.

3▶Tiger snake
Notechis scutatus
Thick-bodied, large-headed, tawny-ochre with greenish-yellow, grey or orange-brown bands. Found from southern Queensland down to the populous areas of New South Wales (where it’s black rather than brown). Nocturnal on warm summer nights. Length: 130-160 cm (51-63 in).
Aggressive and very poisonous
.

4▶Taipan
Oxyuranus scutellatus
Uniformly light to dark brown, with yellowish-brown on the sides and belly. Found from the Kimberleys through Arubauland to Queensland in northern Australia. Length: up to 3.5 m (11 ft).
Shy, but fierce, when aroused and deadly poisonous.

5▶Eastern brown snake
Pseudonaja textilis
Found in drier areas of eastern Australia. Slender, yellowish-grey-to-brown with pale belly. Length: 1.5-2 m (5-6 1/2 ft). Active by day. One of several poisonous brown snakes.
Very poisonous, easily roused and when antagonized strikes repeatedly.

AFRICA & ASIA

6▶Puff adder
Bitis arietans
Thick-bodied, short-tailed and large-headed. Straw-brown with darker markings. Found in savannah and semiarid areas of Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Well camouflaged, it waits for prey on paths after dark. Length: 90-130 cm (35-51 in).
Highly venomous—causes extensive internal bleeding.
One of many different vipers, which are found all over Africa and Eurasia.

7▶Saw-scaled viper
Echis carinatus
Roughscaled, pale-reddish to sandy-brown with darker markings and light blotches. Found in arid areas from western North Africa to India. Uses serrated scales on its side to make a threatening noise. Length: 40-55 cm (16-22 in).
Vicious, common, many fatalities. Causes death from internal bleeding.

8▶Russell’s viper
Vipera russelli
Brownish, with three rows of spots formed of white-bordered black rings, each with a reddish-brown centre. Found in most areas from east Pakistan to China and Taiwan. Length: 100-120 cm (39-47 in).
Responsible for the highest number of viper bites in the area. Highly venomous.

9▶Malay pit viper
Calloselasma rhodostoma
Fawn, reddish or grey marked with geometric patterns. The belly is yellowish or spotted greenish-brown. Found in Southeast Asia and Indonesia. Length: 60-80 cm (24-32 in).
Bites are common. Dangerously venomous. Has many relatives in the area. Avoid ANY that resemble it.

SAFETY RULES

NEVER tease, pick up or corner a snake.

BEWARE an apparently dead snake, some only move to strike when prey is close.

STAY CALM If you encounter a snake, do NOT move suddenly or strike at it. Back off slowly. In most cases the snake will try to escope.

1▶ Asiatic Cobra
Naja naja
When alarmed, has easily recognized raised head and spreading hood—often with markings. Occurs in Asia from Middle East to Far East. Common in urban areas. Length: 1.5-2 m (5-61/2 ft).
Highly-toxic venom.

SPITTING SNAKES

A few cobras spit poison as well as bite. The venom is diluted and therefore not as dangerous, unless the poison reaches an open cut or the eyes. If it does, immediately wash out thoroughly with water. Seek urgent medical attention.

2▶Mamba
Dendroaspis
species Small-headed, very slender, typically with large green or greyish scales. Found in Africa south of the Sahara, usually in trees. Length: 1.5-2.1 m (5-7 ft). The large black mambo (
D. polylepis
) is mostly terrestrial. Length: up to 2.6 m (81/2 ft).
Often quick to strike, black mambas deliver large doses of venom which affect the brain and heart. FATAL unless antivenin given quickly.