PLEASE read if you have children or know children!

rml_16

I used to live in Florida. It seems like every living thing in that state can cause you intense pain or weeks of itching. I'm glad I got out of there.

I've lived in North Florida/South Georgia for almost nine years and have traveled all over the state and nothing has every happened to me or my daughter.

My SO's aunt did get bit by a brown recluse, but they have a farm and she was clearing brush. I know people who have had some scary snakes on their front stoops, but no one who has been bitten. And I hang out with a large group of cave divers, which is pretty high-risk for coming across those things.

Also, I trail run and hike all the time.

It's good to be aware of things just in case, but I don't think these incidents are all that common.

egh1974

I knew there would be the usual folks that want to criticize why I posted this, and I don't suggest wrapping children in bubble wrap, but I do think that awareness is important. I hope that you never, ever, ever, ever, ever experience this. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Call it a monster, a beautiful creature, call me crazy, over-dramatic, I really don't care - just please, please be aware, that's my only point to the original post. Please just be aware. That is all.

MagicalLeopleurodon

Sorry you got stung sweetie we get those all over during spring. It doesnt help that they are adorable and children are inclined to try and pet them! Im glad you and the baby are both okay now!

UsedToBeHusky

I live in the South and have never seen one, but my mom always told me not to touch caterpillars. If I see one in a precarious position, I usually grab a stick, lure them on, and place them in a tree. I'm a caterpillar fan, personally.

Sorry you got sick, but calling it a monster seems to be a bit dramatic. It's just one of God's many wonderful creatures. I mean, have you ever been stung by a scorpion? Seriously... I can't compare the two because I haven't been stung by both, but a scorpion sting isn't far from what you described, and I still wouldn't call them "monsters".

I pray that you never understand why I called it a monster...

I was stung by a scorpion and it was NOTHING like what OP described. If something gave me that kind of reaction, monster would be the nicest thing I called it.

Yeah, a scorpion sting is awful... I really thought I was dying... high fever, headache, stomach cramps, delusional, numbness, overall feeling of sickness.

egh1974

I think the topic should actually be, "If you are a human being".

Indeed

rml_16

I knew there would be the usual folks that want to criticize why I posted this, and I don't suggest wrapping children in bubble wrap, but I do think that awareness is important. I hope that you never, ever, ever, ever, ever experience this. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Call it a monster, a beautiful creature, call me crazy, over-dramatic, I really don't care - just please, please be aware, that's my only point to the original post. Please just be aware. That is all.

I agree it's good to be aware.

It is a bit extreme to call it a monster. It didn't attack you. You brushed against it.

Serial killers, rapists -- those are monsters.

I hope you feel better soon, anyway.

BinaryPulsar

I knew there would be the usual folks that want to criticize why I posted this, and I don't suggest wrapping children in bubble wrap, but I do think that awareness is important. I hope that you never, ever, ever, ever, ever experience this. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Call it a monster, a beautiful creature, call me crazy, over-dramatic, I really don't care - just please, please be aware, that's my only point to the original post. Please just be aware. That is all.

I don't think you are crazy or over dramatic. I probably won't encounter these (on the west coast of Canada), but someone else could. It's good that you shared your experience.

UsedToBeHusky

I knew there would be the usual folks that want to criticize why I posted this, and I don't suggest wrapping children in bubble wrap, but I do think that awareness is important. I hope that you never, ever, ever, ever, ever experience this. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Call it a monster, a beautiful creature, call me crazy, over-dramatic, I really don't care - just please, please be aware, that's my only point to the original post. Please just be aware. That is all.

But there are lots of horrible little creatures in the world that can sting you and make you sick.

You just want us to be aware of this one because it got to you.

cwolfman13

Thanks for adding yet another fear to the countless things that make me loose sleep at night as new dad.

It is never ending....I haven't slept in years.

egh1974

You just want us to be aware of this one because it got to you.

Correct.

rml_16

You just want us to be aware of this one because it got to you.

Correct.

Honestly, I'd rather go through that pain and recover than have to live with the effects of a brown recluse bite. Ick.

egh1974

[/quote]
Honestly, I'd rather go through that pain and recover than have to live with the effects of a brown recluse bite. Ick.
[/quote]

I hope you experience neither.

UsedToBeHusky

You just want us to be aware of this one because it got to you.

Correct.

Well then, let me also warn everyone of the horror that is the scorpion. Also prevalent in the south, these little *kitten* will make you feel like you are dying or wish to die just to make the pain and sickness stop. The sting feels like being slapped by metal, subsequently to be followed by immediate and rapid swelling, itchiness, and pain. Within hours, you will run a high fever with a headache. This will be followed by stomach cramps and vomiting. You may not know where you are or have any idea how you came to feel this way. Scorpions are dangerous and deadly and EVERYWHERE in the south so please please please be careful and watch out for them.

UsedToBeHusky

You just want us to be aware of this one because it got to you.

Correct.

Honestly, I'd rather go through that pain and recover than have to live with the effects of a brown recluse bite. Ick.

Yes this... having your flesh rot away from the inside out is pretty devastating. Everyone be aware of the dangerous brown recluse. Another nasty little bugger prevalent in the south.

madworld1

Omgoodness-- when I was little I saw those all the time!! Luckily I was too afraid to touch it, but I sure wanted to because of the fuzzy appearance!!

egh1974

Omgoodness-- when I was little I saw those all the time!! Luckily I was too afraid to touch it, but I sure wanted to because of the fuzzy appearance!!

Definitely not fun. After sharing this with some of my friends, one friend told me that her brother experienced the same little caterpillar fella with a sting to his spine and went into anaphylaxis shock and almost died. Not such a fuzzy friend!

ren_ascent

To reference this in terms that Trekkies can understand, this little ba$tard looks like a tribble with a tail.

escloflowneCHANGED

To God be the Glory!!! I am so thankful you are ok and will recover and that your child is safe. I am sorry for your pain and I truly appreciate you sharing this with us. I am going to show my son right now because he is always playing with bugs. God bless you and your family.

egh1974

To reference this in terms that Trekkies can understand, this little ba$tard looks like a tribble with a tail.

hahhaahaha! yes, it does!

sloth3toes

To God be the Glory!!! I am so thankful you are ok and will recover and that your child is safe. I am sorry for your pain and I truly appreciate you sharing this with us. I am going to show my son right now because he is always playing with bugs. God bless you and your family.

You're going to Hell. I only thought about it.... you posted it.

:bigsmile:

escloflowneCHANGED

To God be the Glory!!! I am so thankful you are ok and will recover and that your child is safe. I am sorry for your pain and I truly appreciate you sharing this with us. I am going to show my son right now because he is always playing with bugs. God bless you and your family.

You're going to Hell. I only thought about it.... you posted it.

:bigsmile:

Don't worry, I'm going to hell for much worse, I got a haircut yesterday and I'm wearing a polyester and cotton blend shirt today...

SailorKnightWing

Do mean these guys?

No - this http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/nature/news-ten-creepy-and-colorful-caterpillar-hazardous-human-health?image=4

All I got from that was the writer doesn't know the difference between poisonous and venomous.

So_Much_Fab

You just want us to be aware of this one because it got to you.

Correct.

Well then, let me also warn everyone of the horror that is the scorpion. Also prevalent in the south, these little *kitten* will make you feel like you are dying or wish to die just to make the pain and sickness stop. The sting feels like being slapped by metal, subsequently to be followed by immediate and rapid swelling, itchiness, and pain. Within hours, you will run a high fever with a headache. This will be followed by stomach cramps and vomiting. You may not know where you are or have any idea how you came to feel this way. Scorpions are dangerous and deadly and EVERYWHERE in the south so please please please be careful and watch out for them.

rml_16

You just want us to be aware of this one because it got to you.

Correct.

Well then, let me also warn everyone of the horror that is the scorpion. Also prevalent in the south, these little *kitten* will make you feel like you are dying or wish to die just to make the pain and sickness stop. The sting feels like being slapped by metal, subsequently to be followed by immediate and rapid swelling, itchiness, and pain. Within hours, you will run a high fever with a headache. This will be followed by stomach cramps and vomiting. You may not know where you are or have any idea how you came to feel this way. Scorpions are dangerous and deadly and EVERYWHERE in the south so please please please be careful and watch out for them.

Scarred.For.Life.

kathystrauss1

Do you mean these guys?

That's a Woolly Bear! The bigger the brown stripe in the middle the nicer the winter will be. I think this guy is telling us to watch out.

egh1974

Do mean these guys?

No - this http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/nature/news-ten-creepy-and-colorful-caterpillar-hazardous-human-health?image=4

All I got from that was the writer doesn't know the difference between poisonous and venomous.

Seriously? LOL Poison vs Venom

The terms poison and venom are often used interchangeably, but they actually have very different meanings. It is the delivery method that distinguishes one from the other.

Poison is absorbed or ingested; a poisonous animal can only deliver toxic chemicals if another animal touches or eats it.

Venom, on the other hand, is always injected. Every venomous animal has a mechanism to inject toxins directly into another animal. Stab with tails. Slash with spines. Pierce with fangs. Spike with spurs. Shoot with harpoons. Chew with teeth.

For example, frogs are usually poisonous while snakes are usually venomous.

So, what were you confused about?

SailorKnightWing

Do mean these guys?

No - this http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/nature/news-ten-creepy-and-colorful-caterpillar-hazardous-human-health?image=4

All I got from that was the writer doesn't know the difference between poisonous and venomous.

Seriously? LOL Poison vs Venom

The terms poison and venom are often used interchangeably, but they actually have very different meanings. It is the delivery method that distinguishes one from the other.

Poison is absorbed or ingested; a poisonous animal can only deliver toxic chemicals if another animal touches or eats it.

Venom, on the other hand, is always injected. Every venomous animal has a mechanism to inject toxins directly into another animal. Stab with tails. Slash with spines. Pierce with fangs. Spike with spurs. Shoot with harpoons. Chew with teeth.

For example, frogs are usually poisonous while snakes are usually venomous.

So, what were you confused about?

"The Puss Caterpillar or woolly slug is the most poisonous caterpillar in the USA. This little monster will spit acid at any ‘attacker’ and is loaded with poisonous spines all over its body that cause extreme reactions on contact with human skin. Because these creatures can be mistaken for cotton balls as they are quite striking in appearance, people rashly pick them up and really suffer for it. This creepy crawler likes citrus trees, elms, oaks and many different garden plants, so do keep your eyes peeled."

That part. Right there in the definition you provided:

Spike with spurs.

You're correct. The author of the article was wrong.

sloth3toes

I'm really enjoying where this is headed.

SueSlick

never even heard of that...thanks so much for sharing!

just another thing to check for after being out in the woods I guess!

sloth3toes

never even heard of that...thanks so much for sharing!

just another thing to check for after being out in the woods I guess!

Also, check for skid marks. Just sayin....'