illuminating science

I thought this article was quite amusing, as an Aussie anyway. It’s about red-back spiders being found in the U.A.E. (United Arab Emirates, a country of eastern Arabia). It goes on to describe how red-backs are more dangerous than poisonous snakes, and that a bite to a child less than six is certainly deadly. Apparently, the sightings are leading to bit of a panick!

In contrast however, Aussies have red-backs pretty much everywhere, and we pretty much take it in our stride. They used to be under the stairs at primary school, and various of my brave (read, stupid) classmates would venture under to crush the invaders (poor little guys!). And while I really don’t like them (scary!), they’re actually not very agressive nor particularly dangerous. Apparently, only one person has died from a red-back bite since 1956 when an antivenom was developed, and most Aussies aren’t really “afraid” of red-backs - they’re just a part of life. That said, the news report says that no anti-vaccine is available in Dubai hospitals, which is a serious concern - without it, the bites may well be more deadly.

It’s just interesting that so many foreigners consider Australia to be infested by deadly and dangerous creatures who are all out to get us. And it’s only when I talk to them that I realise they’re right - you can’t go swimming in the north in summer because of the box jelly fish, you have to be careful cleaning under the stairs, and if the snakes don’t get you when bushwalking, the leaches will! And yet, it’s just part of the beautiful Australian lifestyle!