"Rattlesnakes and Hairy Spiders"
- by: Jon Shumaker
(Written for Homebuyers & Newcomers Guide) (a Tucson Publication)
A number of interesting critters call the Sonoran Desert home, and a few of them have been known to bite, sting, or otherwise annoy humans. (and often In spite of some fierce exaggerated) reputations, almost all of them are shy, retiring, and would rather be left alone. Stinging, biting, or throwing urticating hairs (which have a tiny poison gland at their base) are all different ways in which these animals catch prey or protect themselves.
People are much too big to be eaten, so most problems occur when they foolishly try to handle an animal, or when they don't paying attention to where they sit or where they put their hands or feet.
Ants, wasps, and bees are found all over the world and probably account for more deaths than all other venomous animals combined. The greatest danger posed by these insects is from allergic reactions. Reactions vary from person to person, but symptoms can range from a little localized pain and a welt to burning or intense pain, itching, a rash, trouble breathing, sweats, chills, nausea, vomiting, and blood pressure problems.
For mild reactions, simply clean the wound and apply an antiseptic. For more severe reactions, seek medical assistance immediately. If you know you have severe reactions to insect bites or stings, it's a good idea to get a prescription anaphylactic kit from a doctor. This will buy you some time to get to a medical treatment facility.
There has been much ado about Africanized bees, sometimes called "killer" bees in the press. They are very difficult to distinguish from the domesticated European honeybee, so the best thing to do is avoid all bees. The potential danger from these insects is their aggressive tendency to swarm in great numbers in defense of their hive, sometimes delivering thousands of stings. If you find yourself being stung by a swarm, the best thing to do is run like crazy, protect your face and eyes as best you can, and seek the shelter of a car or building.
If you have been stung multiple times or believe you are having an allergic reaction, get medical help immediately. Bees will set up colonies in hollow trees or buildings, so inspect your home and yard and fill or cover any holes or cracks you find. Bee hives should be removed by qualified pest control personnel only. Check the phone book for the names of bee removal specialists.
Conenose "kissing" bugs are strange little bugs between one-half and one inch long that feed on vertebrate blood-mostly that of pack rats, but they will bite people as well. They are more common in the outlying areas of town, and when they bite, they inject an enzyme that keeps blood from coagulating as they feed. Again, the biggest problem is an allergic reaction for some people.
Three spiders that make the Sonoran Desert home are worth mentioning. The infamous and very elegant-looking black widow spider is a fairly common resident of both desert and urban areas. If you are bitten by a black widow spider, symptoms can include localized pain at the bite and muscle pain that can spread to other areas in the body, muscle rigidity in your abdomen or other areas of the torso, breathing problems, headache, dizziness, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure. The elderly, children, and people with high blood pressure should seek medical attention immediately. For healthy adults, symptoms will usually subside within 12 to 24 hours and can be treated at home with guidance from the local poison control center.
The brown spider, which prefers dry, dark, cluttered areas, generally will bite only if it gets trapped between you and your clothing, bedding, or in some other dark place. If you are bitten by a brown spider, you probably won't even know it until later. Symptoms include some localized pain, swelling, and flu-like symptoms. Later, a necrotic lesion - a wound that looks like a bull's-eye-can form and can take several months to heal.
The tarantula is a large fuzzy spider most often seen outdoors in the summer. They look fierce, but are very shy and will only bite if you try to handle them. A tarantula defends itself by biting or by brushing off some urticating hairs from its abdomen, although it prefers to run away. If bitten, clean the wound with soap and water. Urticating hairs can be removed by using tape.
The best way to control any spider population and lower the chance of being bitten is to be sure all your windows and doors are well-fitted and weather-stripped, and keep debris and clutter from accumulating in or around your house.
Scorpions are common residents of the desert. About 30 species live in Arizona, but only one, the bark scorpion, is considered life-threatening- mostly to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems. You should always be careful when picking up wood, rocks, or other things on the ground, and if you are camping, always shake out your boots, clothing, and bedding before getting into them. If stung, clean the wound, apply ice briefly, and take some aspirin or acetaminophen if you wish. Children, older respiratory problems should see a doctor as soon as possible.
The giant desert centipede can inflict a painful bite, but is not life-threatening.
Everyone who comes to the Southwest hears stories about rattlesnakes and Gila monsters.
Rattlesnakes are fairly common in our area and are important members of the local fauna, helping to keep down the rodent population. They will only bite if cornered, surprised, or molested. So always watch where you put your feet, hands, and rear end, and don't handle or harass any snake! If you are bitten, treatment is simple: get to a medical facility immediately! There is a lot of mythology about treating rattlesnake bites - much of it does more harm than good. Keep the victim (or yourself) calm and comfortable and transport without delay.
Other snakes that may bite include the Arizona coral snake and a group known as the rear-fanged snakes. Again, most bites happen when people are trying to handle snakes, so the best policy is to leave them alone. Bites from coral snakes are rare, but if you are bitten, seek medical help immediately. For all other snakes, clean the wound with soap and water.
The Gila monster, one of only two venomous lizards in the world (the other lives in Mexico), is a large and very beautiful lizard with an undeservedly bad reputation. Its beaded skin is black with blotches or bands of orange, yellow, or pink. While a bite is very painful, it is not life-threatening. They will only bite if picked up, cornered, or otherwise harassed. When they do bite, they tend not to let go, and their jaws may have to be pried open, sometimes leaving a jagged wound. You should seek medical care to clean out the wound, which may have teeth embedded in it.
In spite of some of the tall tales told around the campfire, none of these critters is out to get you. They all have important roles in the desert ecosystem, and with a little common sense, you can live with and enjoy them from a distance. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (883-2702) is a wonderful place to learn more about the fascinating animals and plants that live in our region. And the Arizona Poison Control and Drug Information Center (800-362-0101) is the place to call if you have an unfortunate encounter with one of these venomous residents. A good reference guide is Trevor Hare's Poisonous Dwellers of the Desert. It describes all the commonly encountered venomous creatures found in our area, with information about their natural history and suggestions for treatment of envenomations.
Pet Safety
Africanized bees pose a threat to your pets because of their tendency to aggressively defend their hive from any perceived threat. They have been known to attack dogs with no apparent provocation. Don't leave your dog chained or penned near a hive. The Colorado River toad, also known as the Sonoran Desert toad, can also be a problem for Fido. If your dog seizes one of these large greenish critters in its mouth, the toad secretes a toxin that can make your pet very ill or even kill it. Change water dishes regularly-sometimes the toads will piop into basins of water and contaminate them. They pose no threat to humans.