Ants
An elaborate description is being prepared.
Dogs
See "Rabies" under "Viral infection".
Fish
There are quite a number of fish that can pose a problem to people bathing in the sea and fishermen - particularly in the seas around India, the USA, and the southern Pacific, e.g.
Greater weever, Scorpionfish, Stonefish, and Sea scorpion.
Moreover, there are fish which - for various reasons - can be dangerous to humans:
Barracuda, sharks, saltwater eel, garfish, morays, and electric eels.
Jellyfish
The jellyfish belong to the Coelenterata. Their toxin is produced in cnidoblasts and stings like the toxin in nettles. The jellyfish have thin burning threads (tentacles) that float in the water several metres away from their bodies. At certain times of year, the jellyfish are being washed ashore and, unfortunately, keeping an eye on them is not always enough. A heavy surf can result in them breaking which can cause you to get burned by the detached threads. Typically, the period in Britain with the most jellyfish occurs during the bathing season, i.e. in July and August.
If you get burned by one or more of the tentacles, it will cause a stinging, locally burning pain and possibly blisters on your skin. Your body might even react with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, irritated airways, muscle cramps, shortness of breath, and sometimes even collapse.
Compass jellyfish, Crysaora hysocella
This species is up to 30 cm. in diameter. It can mostly be found in the south western waters of the British Isles.
Moon jellyfish, Aurelia aurita
Only contains a weak toxin. The toxin can, however, be irritating to thin skin, e.g. in the face.
Lion's mane jellyfish, Cyanea capillata
Aka. sea nettle. This jellyfish can become 30 cm. in diameter and have up to 5 metres long tentacles that - even after having detached themselves from the jellyfish - can burn your skin. Common off the west coast of Scotland and in the northern North Sea.
Blue jellyfish, Cynaea lamarcki
This jellyfish is up to 20 cm. in diameter. It is common off the coast of Scotland.
Mauve Stinger, Pelagia noctiluca
A small jellyfish, about 5 cm. in diameter and 3 cm. heigh. They are a rare sight around the British Isles but common in the Mediterranean where they can be found off the coasts and be a large problem all summer.
Dangerous jellyfish are the Sea wasp or Box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri, from Australia and the Portugese man-o-war, Physalia physalis. The latter is fairly common - and quite infamous - in tropical and subtropical seas, e.g. the Mediterranean, and is capable of reaching the British coast with the sea currents.
Lizards
There are two poisonous species: The Gila monster (Heloderma Suspectum) and the Beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum exasperatum) that can be found in South Western USA and in Mexico and that sometimes bite people. They both cath hold of you with their teeth and hold on to you. Being bitten by these lizards is extremely painful, albeit rarely deadly.
Scorpions
Scorpion stings
Scorpions are very robust and for this reason they are numerous throughout desert areas etc. Their sting can be very dangerous - especially to children under the age of 6. Adults with normal immune systems do not necessarily have to suffer more nuisance from a scorpion sting than local swelling, acute skin discolouring, and pain.
In more serious cases, the pupils of the affected person will dilate, pains and swellings will become violent and involve the local lymph nodes, and diarrhoea, paralysis of the respiratory muscles, and even cardiac arrest might follow.
The toxin of scorpions actually kills more people than do that of venomous snakes. They can be found in many warm regions in Asia, India, the Middle East, Mexico, North Africa, South America, and the West Indies.
Sea anemones, Actinariae
Can be found around the shores of Britain and fishermen should be careful about coming into contact with the sea anemone Bolocera tuediae which has a dull pink or dark red colour, can become up to 30 cm. across the tentacles, and can be found sublittorally at depths from 20 metres to at least 2000 metres. The tentacles of this sea anemone contain a strong poison that provokes strong burning and stinging sensations on the skin.
Sea urchins, Echinoideae
The sea urchin has poison glands located between its spines that serve as a defence mechanism to the animal. In the Mediterranean, highly poisonous sea urchins can be found.
Accidentally stepping on a sea urchin is easily done. The defence mechanism of the animal is to prick you with its spines which can result in great pain. The remains of spines is later on exfoliated along with the infection.
Snakes
Snake bites
Most snakes, e.g. constrictors and grass snakes, are not poisonous to humans. However, many people do get bitten by snakes, although it is highly uncommon for short term tourists to get bitten. Snake bites can induce pains, infection, and tetanus.
One group of snakes has movable teeth, triangular heads, and a thick body. Their bites often cause local swelling. When the venom enters the human bloodstream it causes the person to have bloody sputum, bleedings in the skin, teeth, and internal organs, and shock.
Another group of snakes, e.g. cobras and mambas, have small firm teeth and a leaner body. Only rarely will their bite result in swelling, but as soon as the venom reaches the human bloodstream, confusion, paralysis, difficulties in swallowing, and breathing difficulties and shock will occur.
A snake that is frightened by a person will inject a small amount of venom - or none at all - as the bite is meant as a warning.
Of course, the symptoms and the dangerousness of a snake bite very much depend on which kind of snake is in question. If it is a venomous snake, the bite will quickly swell and become discoloured. Also, symptoms such as breathing difficulties, nausea, headache, etc. might occur.
If a large amount of venom is injected, painful swellings around the bite followed by vesiculation, bleedings from the nose and gums, and paralysis might result - according to which type of venom has been injected.
The venomous snakes:
- Colubridae: E.g. the African boomslang.
- Elapidae: E.g. the Asian and African ringhals.
- Viperidae: E.g. rattlesnakes and adders.
- Hydrophiidae: Mostly sea snakes which are very poisonous.
Spiders
Spider bites
The danger of being bitten by most spider species is highly exaggerated. Only if you are already allergic to insect bites or if a child is being attacked, acute danger can arise.
Many spider bites will not cause more unpleasantness than a whasp sting, but some can cause symptoms such as cramps, strong pains in the lymph nodes, and sweats, and some are even deadly. There are cases of people having died after having been bitten by spiders.
Poisonous spiders:
- Banana spider
- Hermit spider
- Loxosceles
- Red-backed spider
- Funnel-web spider
Starfish, Asterias
They can be difficult to distinguish in the sand, and therefore, you can easily step on a starfish which will cause painful stings by sticking small spines into your skin. The spine remnants will later on be exfoliated along with the pus.
