Page 45 - (DK) Danger! Open with Extreme Caution!

Terrifying trees

If you’re climbing trees for fruit, watch out for
the many venomous snakes that like to hunt
in the branches, including bushmasters,
mambas, and boomslangs. They blend in with
the bark and leaves, so look carefully. And if
you’re tired from all that climbing, don’t
nap under the trees, as falling deadwood
kills more jungle novices than
anything else.

Pesky plants
There is a high risk of snagging your
clothes or even your skin in the jungle.
Long vines called “wait-awhiles” have
sharp barbs that catch easily and slow
Bug watch you down. Even worse is the aptly named
stinging tree: its large, heart-shaped
Boring-looking bugs bring leaves are covered in spikes. One touch
the most trouble, so keep your and you’ll get a nasty rash that lasts
wits about you and always use for months. Ouch!
insect repellent. Small botflies lay
their eggs under human skin, while
black flies bite hard and spread
river blindness. As boots and
pockets make comfy nests for
poisonous spiders, shake out your
shoes and zip up your pockets.

Poison and prey
Steer clear of poison-arrow frogs.
The venom on their backs is enough to
make you croak. On the plus side, you can
dip your arrows in the poison and use them
River to hunt jungle prey. Watch out that no one is
dangers after you, though. Early visitors to Borneo’s
rainforests fell foul of the fierce Dayak
White-water rafting looks tribes—notorious for beheading and
fun, but submerged branches eating the flesh of their enemies.
can trap you underwater, strong Don’t lose your head!
currents can sweep you away, and
rapids can smash you to smithereens.
If you fall overboard, swim fast! Rivers are
home to crushing anacondas, bloodsucking
leeches, and electric eels. Avoid any
river-based injuries, as blood will
attract hungry piranhas
your way.

JUNGLE PERILS 45
(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.