Natural Biological Hazards of
the Mid-south U.S.
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Recognition
Avoidance
Prevention
Treatment
Dangerous life forms
 Reptiles and other vertebrates
 Arthropods (insects, spiders, et.al.)
 Plants & Fungi
Water Moccasin
Harmless Water snake Swimming
Elliptical Pupils and Pits
How many copperheads do you
see?
A Cobra of many Colors!
Mimicry almost but not quite
perfect!
Harmless or Venomous?
What about Crocodilians, or more
specifically, American Alligators?
Small Crocs indicate reproduction has
already occurred here in Tennessee
What is dangerous about this
animal?
The most dangerous catfish in the
world, fortunately not a native
species!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLFe8xfgx24
Though deadly she is, this is not a species normally encountered in
the field, but rather in dark, secluded, old buildings, hollow trees,
etc.
Six Eyes = Positive Identification
Why its bite is a serious matter!
Is this animal really venomous?
What about this one?
Massive swarms can do damage
quickly
Ultimate Range in the U.S.
Most dangerous in the fall!
Which one is fake?
What could this be?
Bite: no big deal?
If not for this little guy, the south
would be paradise?
Trumpet Vine Dangerous?
The deadliest of them all!!!!!!
Which snake would you not expect
to find in West Tennessee?
20%
1. Water moccasin
20%
2. Copperhead
20%
3. Timber Rattlesnake
20%
4. Diamondback Rattlesnake
20%
5. Scarlet Snake
Which of the following is a recommended
treatment for venomous snakebite
1. Cut & Suck
20%
20%
20%
2
3
20%
20%
2. Tourniquet
3. Anti-venom
4. Immediate
hospitalization
5. Jack Daniel
Whiskey
1
4
5
Which of the following are
harmless snake attributes
20%
1. Round pupils
20%
2. Single anal scale
20%
3. An opening between the nostril & eye
20%
4. Retractable fangs
20%
5. Elliptical pupils
If you are immune to poison ivy you never
have to worry about exposure to it!
1. True
50%
50%
2. False
1
2
Ticks in Tennessee can transmit
which of these diseases?
20%
1. Lyme disease
20%
2. Tularemia
20%
3. Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever
20%
4. Babesiosis
20%
5. All of these
Which of the following fish are not found in
the Mississippi river and its tributaries
17%
1. Silver Carp
17%
2. Big headed Carp
17%
3. Bull Sharks
17%
4. Alligator Gar
17%
5. Candiru (a parasitic catfish that infests
17%
the human urethra)
If you are allergic to this animal, you should be
especially prepared for a venomous snake bite:
20%
1. Chickens
20%
2. Horses
20%
3. Cows
20%
4. Pigs
20%
5. Cats
Chiggers are a type of:
20%
1. Insect
20%
2. Arachnid
20%
3. Mite
20%
4. Tick
20%
5. None of the above
Armadillos should be avoided because
they can transmit this disease:
17%
1. Leprosy
17%
2. AIDS
17%
17%
17%
17%
3. Rabies
4. Possum fever
5. None of the above, though they might
jump high enough to bust your
windshield
Tennessee mosquitoes have been
known to transmit this disease:
100%
1. Malaria
2. Yellow fever
3. West Nile virus
4. Encephalitis
5. All of the above, except Malaria