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| Science & Technology |
| Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? |
| 2006-06-18 |
| The mission is anti-terrorism, but the most frightening things for some servicemembers of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa are decidedly more natural threats. Along with the heat, dust and choking humidity, one of the first things theyÂ’re warned about upon arrival in Djibouti are snakes. And what a variety of deadly snakes there are. ThereÂ’s the burrowing asp (commonly found burrowing under stones or at night after a rain); thereÂ’s the puff adder (scientific name Bitis arietans, hisses when disturbed); the black mamba (can grow to 13 feet long, and found in scrub land); the Egyptian cobra (with its distinctive hooded head); and, of course, the red spitting cobra (red, spits venom). According to a pamphlet found around Camp Lemonier and distributed by the Armed Forces Pest Management Board, those and other snakes can be found in Djibouti. The pamphlet includes symptoms of venomous bites and snakebite treatment. "IÂ’ll tell you what, I donÂ’t care if its poisonous or not, IÂ’m not coming anywhere near anything thatÂ’s on the ground and that can bite," said Army Sgt. Bill Carter, who was passing through Lemonier on temporary duty. "Puff adder, Egyptian cobra Â… I donÂ’t care what itÂ’s called. Keep it away from me." |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |