SAS Urban Survival Handbook (104 page)

5▶Blue-ringed octopus
Hapalochlaena
species Small, sometimes only fist-sized, with a maximum spread of 20 cm (8 in), found in shallow waters and pools off Australia. Will bite if disturbed.
Venom causes swelling, dizziness and respiratory paralysis. Apply artificial respiration. Seek urgent medical attention.

6▶Cone shell
Conidae
Sub-tropical and tropical gastropod, found on beaches and in shallow waters, reefs and ponds. Varying patterns. Length: 2.5-10 cm (1-4 in). Venom is injected through a flexible, harpoon-like barb which pokes through the narrow end of the shell.
Can cause temporary paralysis and breathing difficulties, and DEATH within six hours.

SHARKS

Only a handful of shark attacks on people are recorded every year and few are fatal, but caution is advisable when in waters where sharks occur. Of the many species, only a few of those that swim inshore have been known to attack humans.

Try not to attract the attention of a shark. Head for shore as quickly as possible. Blood, urine and dead fish are known to lure sharks, so avoid carrying fish or urinating in the water. If you see a fin, don’t take chances.

7▶Bull shark
Carcharhinus leucas
of the tropical west Atlantic is stout, grey above and white below. It likes shallow water and may swim some way up rivers. Length: up to 4m (13ft).
Aggressive and dangerous.

8▶Nurse shark
Ginglymostoma
species Includes the grey nurse of Australian waters. Heavily built, large-finned, greyish above, white below. Length: 3 m (10 ft).
Often found close to shore.

9▶Tiger shark
Galeocerdo cuvieri
Found in tropical and sub-tropical waters, white belly, back blotched or barred when young, more evenly grey when mature. The head is wide with squared-off jaws and snout. Length: 3.5 m (11 1/2 ft).
Often found close to shore.

10▶Sea urchin
Toxopneustes pileolus
Most sea urchins have needle-sharp spines capable of piercing even gloves and flippers.
Toxopneustes
is a venomous variety found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters with three-valved spines, each with its own venom gland.
Seek medical attention.

VECTORS

Vectors (hosts or carriers of disease) range from small insects to large mammals. Some play host to insect parasites such as fleas and mites, which ore the actual disease carriers. Rabies is carried by a number of mammals, though few invade urban areas. They include the domestic dog and cat, wild dogs that scavenge around settlements, and stray and feral animals that roam urban areas. In countries where rabies has been excluded, there is still a risk of other infections from a bite (see also HEALTH: Pets and your health).

1▶Racoon
Procyon lotor
Long brown fur with tints from grey to yellow, distinctive ‘bandit’ face mask. Found in the US, parts of Central Europe and Russia, it is well adapted to town and city life. A shy nocturnal creature, regarded as a pest because of its scavenging. An agile climber which can hold small objects and even open windows. In some cities it has learned to nest in chimneys.
It will bite only if cornered or molested, but it can carry rabies. If bitten, seek urgent medical attention.

2▶Striped skunk
Mephitis
species Sometimes found in city suburbs/towns in the US. It is infamous for its habit of spraying enemies with a strong-smelling secretion from its anal glands—aimed with great accuracy, up to 4m (13 ft). Look out for the warning signs: before spraying, a skunk will stamp its forefeet, erect its tail, then do a ′handstand′ with tail pointed over its head away from you. Don’t wait for it to drop back on all fours and spray—get as far away as you can!
Skunks may bite if molested—seek urgent medical attention because of the risk of rabies.

Control: Mothballs may deter them from making a home under buildings. To avoid long-term problems, make under-house spaces rodent-proof. Seek expert pest control.

3▶Red fox
Vulpes vulpes
Common inhabitant of cities and towns throughout Europe, Soviet Union, Asia, Australia and the US. Length: 60-90 cm (24-35 in). Wary of humans, they will only bite if cornered or molested.
Can carry rabies. If bitten, seek urgent medical attention.

4▶Coyote
(Prairie wolf)
Canis latrans
Smaller relative of the wolf, adapting to town and city life in the western US. Invaluable as a predator of rodents, though attacks on children reported in Los Angeles. Length: 120 cm (47 in).
Can carry rabies. Seek urgent medical attention if bitten.

5▶Vampire bat
Desmodus rotundus
Found in arid and humid tropical and subtropical regions. Nocturnal, they suck the blood of sleeping victims. Attacks on humans are rare, but do occur. Saliva contains an anaesthetic, so bite might not be felt while you are asleep, and an anti-coagulant so wound may bleed profusely. Body length: 7.5-9 cm (3-31/2in).
Can carry rabies. Seek urgent medical attention if bitten.

If ANY bats invade a building, seek specialist advice. Many countries have laws concerning these endangered species.

6▶Chipmunk
Sciuridae
A burrowing rodent of the US and Asia, with black-striped yellowish fur. Most commonly found in crawlspaces under houses and in gardens. Length: 25 cm (10 in).
It can carry plague and fevers. Its fleas will bite humans.

7▶Brown rat
(Common rat)
Rattus norwegica
(A), the black rat (ship’s rat)
R. rattus
(B) and the smaller house mouse
Mus domesticus
(C), can all be a serious health hazard. Their urine and faeces contaminate food. Their fleas can carry diseases including plague, typhus, hepatitis, salmonella, fevers and worm infections. Their sharp teeth damage woodwork, plaster, metal pipework and electric cables—sometimes causing fires. Lengths: A 19-25 cm (7 1/2-10 in), B 14-20 cm (5 1/2-8 in), C 6-8 cm (2 1/2-3 in).

Control: Block all possible house entry points. DON’T leave food exposed. Indoor bait and traps may be successful for mice—set them where you find droppings. For serious infestations, ALWAYS contact an expert pest controller. NEVER handle a dead rat or mouse—there is serious risk of infection from fleas/lice.

1▶ African blackfly
Simulium damnosun
Found near running water in parts of Africa, Central and South America. Will crawl up trouser legs and shirtsleeves and burrow through any possible opening in clothing in their search for blood. Bites produce bloody red spot that will itch for days. Vectors of microscopic tissue worm which causes river blindness (onchocerciasis) which affects more than 20 million people. Length: up to 5 mm (1/4 in). Control: use fine mesh nets. Wear chemically-treated clothing. If bitten, seek urgent medical attention.

2▶Housefly
Musca domestica
Danger comes from their feeding on faeces and human food—they digest by regurgitating a ‘vomit drop’ of previous meals on food, a residue of which remains to contaminate the food. Known carrier of 40 serious diseases including anthrax, typhoid, cholera, amoebic dysentery, intestinal worms. Length: up to 5 mm (1/4 in). Bluebottles (blowflies) pose similar risks. Control: Cover food and waste containers. Use door and window screens.

3▶Horsefly
Tabanus
species Large brownish or blackish with clear or smoky wings. Some 2500 species are to be found worldwide. The bites can penetrate leather and are very painful. Can transmit anthrax, rabbit fever (tularaemia), worm diseases and forms of sleeping sickness. Length: 1-2.5 cm (1/2-1 in). Control: Destroy breeding sites. Use door and window screens.

4▶Cockroach
Blattidae
Nocturnal, red-brown, well adapted for running, with a flattened shape that allows them to penetrate cracks and crevices. These scavengers are found worldwide in warm places—drains, sewers, kitchens. Their bodies and faeces can transmit a range of diseases including salmonella, typhoid, dysentery, polio and worm infestations. Many asthma sufferers are allergic to dust from their discarded skins. The American cockroach (A) is 5 cm (2 in) long and prefers humid conditions; the smallest and palest household cockroach is the brownbanded cockroach (B) which lays eggs on vertical surfaces such as curtains and gets into TVs and computers, causing damage. Control: Poisons soon become ineffective as roaches build up a resistance. Traps can help. Seek specialist help for serious infestations.