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For warned is for armed


For warned is for armed
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1942 W: 246 N: 4106] (11607)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-02-08
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Minolta Dimage Z1
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Araneae (Spiders), Things in and around my house. [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-19 14:12
Viewed: 8479
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Latrodectus geometricus (Brown Button Spider)

I caught this critter in my garage. The web was put in such a way that I could not get closer without disturbing it.

Sometimes the markings on the Brown Button Spider are not that apparent on those that are darkly coloured or black and the latter could be confused with Black Button. However, the 2 species can always be differentiated by the orange hour-glass marking on the underside of the Brown Button Spider while the Black Button has the red stripe/s on the dorsal side at the end of the abdomen above the spinnerets.

It is only the back button spider, bite that would require urgent medical attention although Brown Button Spider bite will also require medical attention especially in the case of children, the elderly. Less than 5% of untreated cases result in death, usually as a result of respiratory failure. In fact, there have been no deaths from button spiders in the last 4 to 5 decades in South Africa. Those more severely affected are children (smaller blood volume) and the elderly who might suffer respiratory or heart failure.

When someone is bitten:
* Keep the culprit if possible. An identification of the spider would be necessary to determine the appropriate treatment, if any.
* Keep the patient or the affected part as motionless as possible. However, this might not be practical if one is out in the wild. It is then preferable to get to help as soon as possible even if the patient has to walk.
* Eating, drinking and smoking should be avoided.
* Call for medical assistance
* Keep the patient on his/her back with feet raised above the rest of the body. Cover with a blanket and keep the head to one side in case of vomiting
* Loosen tight clothing
* Apply artificial respiration should breathing stop
* Apply crushed ice to the affected area. The cold helps to retard the venom action and reduces pain. This must be done within minutes of being bitten.

Sorry about the grim details, but this share could save your life.
PDP, RAP, japie, AndyB, nwoehnl, Robbrown, Jax, ellis49, letr, Callie, Annalise has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To japie: Yewh...gerhardt 1 08-19 16:05
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-08-19 14:18]

Great spider shot, I know how keen you are on out eight legged friends so you must be proud of this one. I've never seen that species before. Excellent and informative note. If you are bitten I guess you don't keep the spider in your hand? OW! OW! OW! OW!

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1974 W: 119 N: 2581] (8432)
  • [2004-08-19 14:32]

very nice one Gerhardt,
Great capture, good details, very nice colours lovely shot, very goo note, very good job you did.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-08-19 14:52]

Hasta ahora no he tenido la suerte de fotografiar arañas.
Una composicion simple pero efectiva en mostrar claramente a ella.
La imagen no es la mejor... pero con la explicacion de tus notas, es más que comprensible.
Gran trabajo!

Until I have not had the luck now to photograph spiders.
A simple but effective composition in showing her clearly.
The image is not the best one... but with the explanation of your notes, he is than comprehensible more.
Great work!

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2004-08-19 15:08]

A very nice capture of this fearsome little beast.
I can understand you not doing a macro of this one and getting real close :-)
Excellent informative note to accompany the shot.
Very good work,well done.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-08-19 15:11]
  • [+]

While serving in the defence force I had the misfortune to be bitten by one of these and I'm sure its because of my shape and size that I did not turn into Spiderman. I dont think the spiderman costume will fit. What about the experience - Besides menigitus it is probably the worst illness I have ever experience. I spent 16 days in hospital - What am I saying, Your note may be grim, but it is much apreciated. Nice shot and I hope it has been relocated eiter to spider heaven or far away to your house.

Thanks for posting

Very good catch, Gerhard. The slightly diagonal presentation and the appearance of the spider against the background make for a very graphical result. Your note is outstanding again.

Good one Gerhard a good enough shot for ident purposes, with superb notes, even the grim but essential details for 1st aid are well worth posting.

Gerhard, 'Nice' spidershot. I don't like them but this one is well shot. Beautiful red colour.
Greetings, Jan

  • Great 
  • Jax Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 77 W: 0 N: 150] (500)
  • [2004-08-19 16:47]

Simple composition showing the spider to best advantage. Good DOF and colours. Very informative note too.

Hi Gerhard! Hey, I always wondered what your garage floor looked like! ;-) We have our share of poisoness spiders out here in Texas also. I've come across the Brown Recluse & Black Widow spider here. I enjoyed reading your great note and am now "FOREWARNED"!!

Very nice Gerhardt,
Good capture, good details,nice colours.
Good job.
Good note.

  • Great 
  • letr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 87 W: 50 N: 47] (130)
  • [2004-08-20 11:24]

Great color balance on the spider and very instructive note.. good job Gerhard !!

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 96 N: 2611] (7551)
  • [2004-08-20 16:34]

Gerhard
Nice compo on this one, clear view of the hour glass too. These are the scary ones, bring on the Doom! And watch below your window cills too! Like to note too.

Good photo for a textbook! Although the focus is not great, I definitely do not blame you for not getting any closer ;) Very good note as well. Thank you for sharing. Watch out for little tiny replicas of Mommy around your house!

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