Animal Safety: Georgia’s Wild Animals By: Kelly Fitzgerald

Georgia’s Most Dangerous Animals

• Mammals: Bobcats, Coyotes, Deer, Black Bears, Raccoons, Opossums, and Foxes. As well as feral animals like cats and dogs.

• Snakes: Copperhead, Rattle Snake, Coral Snakes, and Water Moccasin (a.k.a Cottonmouths)

• Spiders: Black Widow and Brown Recluse

Precautions with Wildlife: Mammals

• Rabies: • “Symptoms of rabies can include foaming

at the mouth, erratic, hyperactive behavior, and/or fearful, paralyzed and lethargic behavior. If you see any animal with symptoms of rabies, stay away from it and call 911, your closest Arizona Game and Fish Department office, or a wildlife control business immediately.

• Anyone bitten must immediately seek medical attention from a qualified health care provider. Whenever possible, the animal should be captured or killed and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing.” (Arizona Game and Fish)

Precautions with Wildlife: Mammals

Precautions when camping: -Store away food and other scented items securely. -Stay alert at dawn and dusk. -Go with a group, if possible.-Stay away from animal carcasses. -Always sleep inside your tent. -Make your presence know. -Carry pepper spray, or bear spray.-If you see signs of an animal, leave the area.-Do not attempt to touch, feed, or approach any animals.Precautions around your home: -Dispose of trash carefully-Install motion activated lights, or noisemakers. -Get one or more dogs. -Put up fencing. -Keep smaller animals inside at night. -Do not feed wildlife.

Animal Encounter: MammalsIf you encounter a wild animal:-If the animal see’s you from a distance, talk in a low calm voice and retreat slowly. Avoid direct eye contact.-If the animal gets closer, stand your ground, act aggressively, and try to look larger. -Do not try and outrun the animal or climb a tree. Face the animal and walk backwards slowly away from it.Or if attacks:- Use Bear Spray, or pepper spray.-Throw something on the ground if the animal is chasing you. -Always fight back.

Animal Safety: Deer

Vehicle collision: -Deer are more active at dusk and dawn. -Be aware of deer crossing signs and what they mean. -Drive slower at night. -Be watchful of roadside banks.-Do not serve in attempt to miss a crossing deer.

Animal Safety: Georgia’s Snakes

Florida Cottonmouth

Eastern cottonmouth

Southern Copperhead Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Canebrake RattlesnakeDusky Pigmy Rattlesnake

Eastern Coral Snake

Animal Safety: Snake Precautions -High risk areas:-under/on rocks-In sun spots-In brush-Water Bodies-Forest lines

-Precautions:-Always watch your step and where you reach.-Wear closed two shoes and pants when in the woods.-Walk around logs. -Remove debris and wood from your yard.

Animal Safety: Snakes

- If you encounter a snake:-Stay Calm-Move slowly away from the snake.-Keep your distance.-If you hear a snake, do not move until you can locate the snake.

-What not to do if you are bitten:-Do not panic, call 911.-Do not attempt to restrict blood flow.-Do not to attempt to suck the venom out.-Do not drink caffeine or alcohol. -Do not expose ice to the bite area.- Do not use, or let the doctor use antivenom until you are checked for allergic reactions.

-Things to do if you are bitten:-Remove rings, watches, or anything else that might restrict blood flow.-Cleanse the wound and wrap the area.-Use a splint to restrict movement.-Apply cold washcloth or icepack to victims forehead.-Get medical assistance as soon as possible.-Use Antivenom only by a doctor.-Try and identify the snake.-Position yourself, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart.

Animal Safety: Spiders

Black Widow Brown Recluse Precautious:-Shake off clothes or shoes that have not been worn in a while.-Be careful when you move things from storage areas. -Clean up clutter.-Do not stack up wood near your house. - “The widow often makes tangled webs around outbuildings, storage units, old tree trunks or cabins not in regular use.” (Camelspiders.net)

Spider Bite First Aid-Signs and Symptoms: - Bite may feel like a pinprick. -Chills-Fever-nausea or vomiting -Severe abdominal pain -Muscle cramps-Fatigue

-First Aid: -Try and identify the spider-Clean the bite with soap and water-Apply a cold compress-Tie a snug band around the limb-Elevate the limb if possible-Aspirin and antihistamines may relieve symptoms in adults.-Seek medical attention

Questions?