Arachnids |
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Scorpions and spiders, so feared and disliked, are also present in Ras Al Khaimah.
SPIDERS
Although the knowledge about spiders in the UAE is very limited, most likely they are the same as those found in the other desert regions. One prominent spider is the camel spider, which lives pretty much in all environments, and despite its look, it is harmless to humans. A spider called the black widow spider can cause some severe pain to its victim, and in case you were bitten by one, seek medical help. You should recover within a couple of days. Other spiders include grand spiders, crab spiders, wolf spiders, bark spiders, comb-footed spiders, orb-weavers, sheet-web spiders, and jumping spiders. Spider bites are usually harmless, and there is little or none potential harm to people. Reactions to bites are similar to bites of insects: redness, swelling, itching and pain. Call a doctor or go to the emergency department if a local reaction continues to get worse for more than 24 hours. More dangerous spiders are encountered rarely or apart from accidents are unlikely to bite.
SCORPIONS
Next to spiders, there are so far 14 species of scorpions identified in the UAE. They are quite common and occur in almost all habitats in the Emirates. A.crassicauda, a black scorpion with thick claws, and A.pterygocercus, a yellow one with long pincers, are the largest, up to 15cm in length. B.Y.nigroaculeatus, a yellow scorpion with black segments, is the most common spider in the UAE. Some scorpions are very small, reaching only 2cm in length.
Scorpions have four pairs of legs, a pair of claws and a segmented tail that has a poisonous spike at the end. One of the interesting characteristic of scorpions is the fact that they glow when exposed to ultra violet light due to the presence of fluorescent chemicals in their cuticle. They are solitary animals and in general non-aggressive but they can sting if threatened. Scorpions are nocturnal creatures; they are active during the night and hide during the day. Accidental human stinging occur when scorpions are touched while in their hiding places. Scorpion sting symptoms include pain or burning, little swelling, numbness, tingling, roving eye movements, a thick tongue, blurred vision or sensitivity to touch. Scorpion stings can be especially dangerous for children and older people. Pets are also at higher risk.
PREVENTING AND TREATING SCORPION STINGS
Take a note that this information is for a reference only and it is not a medical advice.
Prevention Wear high boots and long pants. Be careful when camping; make sure that scorpion did not enter your belongings. Check your shoes before putting them on. Exercise cautions when reaching into places like wood piles, rocks, etc. Exercise caution when roaming the ground after dark, do not walk barefoot. ___________________________________
Treatment Stay calm. Panicking can only cause the venom to spread quickly through your body. Do not suck out the poison with your mouth. Immobilize the stung area and keep it lower than the heart. Remove jewellery or other items that may impede circulation if swelling occurs. Wash the stung area with water. Apply a cool compress. Do not cut into the wound. Seek medical attention. Monitor the person for symptoms of severe poisoning: muscle spasms, impaired vision or speech, nausea, vomiting, roving eye movements, difficulty breathing. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen; consult a doctor about treatment before applying any medications. |
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