PajMon Information Blog

Posts Tagged ‘tropical’

The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them with water at once in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also remarkable in this large family of snakes (elapidae) bexause it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its poison.

The King Cobra is also unique because of its size – it can reach 5.85m (almost 20 feet) in length, which makes it the longest poisonous snake in the world. The latest discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 when it was identified by London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

DNA studies revealed that this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but has different genes. It seems to originate from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been called the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Although they are highly dangerous when threatened cobras will rarely attack if you keep your distance from them, although the spit can travel very accurately for two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is rather slow in its attack and besides that, many bites prove to be non-venomous.

Statistics of a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims indicate that only 55% of the bites involved poison release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of only 10% for people bitten, since the poisons injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxins), which induces respiratory failure approximately half an hour after being bitten, so you have 30 minutes to seek help.

Their colouration varies from light green-grey to black, althugh juveniles are yellow and black banded.This snake is widespread throughout south-eastern Asia.

Now is the time of year to get to your local travel pro and start planning that summer time tropical getaway. I’ve made plenty of such trips, and here is some quick advice for those of you looking to get to warmer latitudes this year!

Best Month To Travel

I’d say this one tops the list in importance. I say that because I have had many trips ruined by weather and now days, I do my best to avoid the rainy season. You also might think about going to the Caribbean during the winter, but do keep in mind that even way down there, it can get cold in the evenings, and this may spoil some of your romantic fun. The key is to ask someone who has been to your destination at certain times of the year and get their take on how the weather effected their stay.

Where To Go and What To Pay

If you are not a big world traveler, you may find that most places in the Caribbean are very similar in looks and service, but much different in pricing. As an example, a trip to Cancun Mexico will offer you world class powdery sand beaches and crystal blue waters for a price 30% less than a similar vacation to the Cayman Islands.

You may also look at emerging destinations like Punta Cana that are offering great prices as a way to bolster popularity. Once again, a travel agent is your best bet here, and you should consult several in order to get a clear representation.

Accommodations

The popularity of the “all inclusive” resort has hit an all time high, and for good reason. Going all inclusive means you can pay one price and just go enjoy yourself. There is nothing better than being able to kick back, eat and drink all you want and live in paradise for a week. Just be sure you look at the ratings on the resort before booking to ensure they hae good food and service.

Stay Away From The Local Water

I know you have heard to never drink the water in Mexico, but really you should apply that advice to anywhere you go outside of the United States. You just don’t want to take a chance on ruining your vacation with bowel problems. Just find bottled water and you are all good.

At the end of the day, your main purpose should be to have fun. Just go to paradise and let loose! The good news is that once you try one place, there are still dozens more left to try next year!