Wild Shores Safety: Will You Survive A Sea Shore Trip?
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The Yellow-lipped sea krait is commonly seen on our Southern shores. It has a highly toxic venom that can be fatal. What is the BEST way to avoid being bitten by this snake?
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Wear thick soled shoes.
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Splash around so the snake will go away.
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Push it away with a stick.
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Leave it alone
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Avoid reef areas.
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Do you know how to be safe on our tropical shores?
Which animals are dangerous?
What behaviour to avoid?
Read these tips then try the quiz.
Answer these 8 questions and see if you will survive on the shore!
At the end of the quiz, scroll down to read all the explanations to the questions.
Learn how to be safe on our shores.
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- 2.
Which of these animals are safe to handle? (A) Sponges (B) Zoanthids (C) Fireworm (D) Cone snail (Photo by Richard Ling)
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All of the above
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Sponge and zoanthid
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Zoanthids only
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Snail only
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None of the above
Correct Answer
A. None of the aboveExplanation
Sponges may have tiny glass-like spikes that can get embedded in your fingers and can cause problems if you then rub your eyes.
Many zoanthids contain some of the most toxic marine poisons.
Fireworms and some other bristleworms have toxic bristles that can cause fiery painful wounds as their pierce through skin and break off in the flesh.
Cone snails can inject a fatal venom. If you are not familiar with snails, you should not touch any of them.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Stingrays are common on our shores. Most stingrays have one to four spines, often near the base of the tail (where the tail joins the body). These spines are serrated and can cut deeply and introduce venom into the wound that can cause excruciating pain. What is the BEST way to avoid being stung by a ray?
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Wear covered shoes.
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Splash around so the fish will go away.
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Shuffle your feet as you walk.
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Avoid stepping into murky water.
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Poke it away with a stick.
Correct Answer
A. Avoid stepping into murky water.Explanation
Stingrays are not aggressive and prefer to flee from danger. Most stingray injuries are the result of a careless human stepping on or handling the fish. Beware! Stingray spines can even penetrate through booties! Wearing covered shoes alone will not protect you.
The best way to avoid being stung is NOT to step into murky water and to watch your step and walk slowly. Shuffling your feet is a poor alternative, if you really do HAVE to walk in murky water. Do not handle stingrays, even if they are beached on dry land.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of these animals are safe to handle? (A) Black long-spined sea urchin (B) Octopus (C) Red swimming crab (D) Diamond wrasse
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All of the above
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Crab and octopus
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Only the octopus
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Only the fish
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None of the above
Correct Answer
A. None of the aboveExplanation
Sea urchins can prick bare hands, the long-spined ones can even pierce through clothing. The spines may break off in the flesh.
Octopuses have a shark beak and can bite. Many can produce a toxin.
Most large crabs can pinch painfully, some even nipping off skin and causing bleeding wounds.
Fishes, even small ones, can give a nasty bite that can draw blood.Rate this question:
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- 5.
These feather-like hydroids inflict painful burning stings that take a long time to heal and leave hideous scars. What is the BEST way to avoid being stung by these hydroids?
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Wear covered shoes and long pants.
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Splash around so the hydroids will go away.
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Look out for them in the water and avoid them.
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Poke and break them up with a stick.
Correct Answer
A. Wear covered shoes and long pants.Explanation
Almost transparent, they are very hard to spot. These colonial animals are immobile.
Even a slight brush against these hydroids with bare skin will cause an immediate fiery reaction, raising painful welts that itch for a long time.
The best way to avoid being stung is to cover all skin that comes into contact with water. And to avoid disturbing or breaking off parts of the colony which can continue to sting as they drift in the water.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Lightning on our shores: Which ONE of these statements is FALSE?
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Singapore has one of the highest rate of lightning activity in the world
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Lightning can happen without rain.
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You are safe from lightning if you are wearing rubber shoes.
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You are safe from lightning only in a lightning protected shelter.
Correct Answer
A. You are safe from lightning if you are wearing rubber shoes.Explanation
It is best to evacuate at the first sign of bad weather. It is not safe to wait until it starts to rain or when lighting is already striking near you. Rubber shoes and sheltering under a tree will not protect you. Evacuate to a shelter with lightning protection.
More details about lightning.
http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2008/08/lightning-scariest-thing-on-shores.htmlRate this question:
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- 7.
Jellyfishes are sometimes seen in the water and washed up on the shores. Some of them can cause painful stings.What is the BEST way to avoid being stung by a jellyfish?
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Wear covered shoes and long pants.
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Splash around so the jellyfish will go away.
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Look out for them in the water and avoid them.
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Pick up the jellyfish and throw it further away.
Correct Answer
A. Wear covered shoes and long pants.Explanation
Jellyfishes are hard to spot. Some are small, others are transparent. Jellyfish stingers can continue to fire even after the animal is dead. So don't touch jellyfish, even if they are stranded on the beach. Sometimes, parts of the jellyfish may drift in the water, this will certainly happen if you try to move it or to disturb it.
The best way to avoid being hurt is to cover all skin that will come into contact with water (wear long pants and covered shoes) and to avoid touching your face and eyes with your hands.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The stonefish looks like a stone. Its venom causes excruciating pain and can be fatal. What is the BEST way to avoid stepping on a stonefish?
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Wear thick soled shoes.
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Splash around so the fish will go away.
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Step only on bare sand.
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Walk slowly, test your footing before putting your weight on your foot.
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Avoid rocky areas.
Correct Answer
A. Walk slowly, test your footing before putting your weight on your foot.Explanation
The stonefish has dorsal fin spines that can penetrate thick soled shoes. It remains motionless and will not move even if there is splashing around it. It sometimes lies half buried in sand. It has been known to occur in reefs, coral rubble, muddy estuaries and rocky areas. So it could be anywhere.
The best way to avoid stepping on one is to watch where you step. Walk slowly, and test for pricks through your shoes before you put your weight on your foot.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Oct 26, 2009Quiz Created by
Wildsingapore
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