Comments on: Forewarned is forearmed

By: John B

John B — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 02:53:42 +0000

Dived many times in Fiji as a diving club member, We were informed by a member of the Museum staff in Suva that the black-and-white banded coral snake (dandukalavu -spelling ?) were indeed highly venomous but only in the breeding season and had evolutionarily-blunted teeth, thus could not administer their venom. That may have been a confusion with the small mouth comment in the main post. “Danduks” also operate on land and are attracted to fires – the heat I guess. Consequently if you have a barbecue by the shore you may have several visiting snakes making their way to the fire between the guests. We would pick them up by the tail whirl them around and fly them back into the water

By: Deborah

Deborah — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 03:14:23 +0000

Diving in Fiji was one of the best experiences of my life. Be sure to bring as much of your own equipment as you can. Outside of Kadavu on a small Island a German man owned a diving ship. Doubt he is still there, but it beat any hotel diving… Advanced diving for sure.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 05 May 2016 04:36:50 +0000

In reply to Carlo l. After all the information in this article you and ya mate above pick on the reference to a daddy longleg spider? Well done keyboard warriors well done !!!!

By: Just Jo

Just Jo — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 03:36:08 +0000

I have met the scientist who has been eternally quoted as saying the daddy-long-legs is the most venomous spider. According to him, he said “if the daddy-long-legs was the most venomous spider, it wouldn’t matter as they are too small to be able to bit”. As always in these sorts of persistent sayings, the most impostant word was lost. That is “if”.

By: Carlo l

Carlo l — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 12:51:12 +0000

In reply to john. Yes John, I noticed this aswell. People hear things in school and instead of any research they say myth as fact. I believe they don't even have a venom sack ( daddy long legs).

By: john

john — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 20:30:06 +0000

Daddy long legs first and formost is used in reference to so many things from harvestman, cranflies to cellar spider, neither being the most venomous of anything. Harvestman (true nameOpiliones being the harvestman) are NOT venomous nor are the even a spider. Although they are indeed an aracnid, they have only one main body segment and a single pair of eyes which differs from spiders multiple body segments. Along with lacking venom they also lack true fangs as well. Cellar spiders (Pholcidae) although ARE infact a true spider have been studied extensively and can penitrate human skin with their fangs and in most cases ôly caused a mild skin reaction not to mention the venom is considered relatively weak when inflicted on insects. (Not being a know-it-all, just stating the facts and like many other well informed people, i dislike when seemingly knowlegable references state false information). Hope some read this and take away facts from it and those who choose not to believe this can research the scienticic names listed in my comment.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 06:18:04 +0000

Very Informative and useful stuff