Costa Rica - Poisonous Animals and Plants

Sure you have seen tarantulas, snakes and scorpions before. All these cute animals exist in Costa Rica. When a German friend, who lives in Costa Rica, showed me a scorpion in an empty glas of marmelade, I could hardly believe that he catched it in his living room. However, when I saw some dangerous species under a stone I had turned around during the search for a treasure, I changed my opinion.
It depends in which area you will live and which kind of house you have. The house of my friend is made out of wood and pervious to insects. Spider from the tarantula family can be found in his sink once in a while. Tarantulas cause burning and itching and maybe
a paralysis, but they are never deadly. However, calm down! You need a lot of bad luck to get damaged from one of these insects. And even if it a snake will bite you, there is a big chance that it is not poisonous. They bite only for defense reasons.

And if it still should happen:

Stay calm and damm up the blood
Desinfect wound and keep body part quiet
Try to get transported lieing
Drink, if you want, but never drink alcohol
Important: Note time of first aid as well as size and colour of the snake

Steps like sucking, burning or ice on the wound bring complications why we can not recommend them.

Scorpions are night hunters. They are very sensitive to sun radiation and would die after a short while. This is why they hide during day under stones or in caves. After sunset they leave their home and go hunting for food. Never walk barefoot at night. If you are outdoors, use good and high shoes. Only a few kinds of scorpions are extremely dangerous. Spider- and scorpion bites most times are less dangerous than a snake bite.

Different kind of frogs, for example a small red one, are poisonous and should not be touched. If it should happen by accident, nothing will happen, as long as you do not touch you mucous membranes of eye, mouth or nose which take the poison. Just wash good and it is forgotten.

Also different plants can be poisonous. After a jungle trip, do not lick your fingers without washing them good! Resist unknown fruits, even if they look very apetizing. Always sash your hands good and keep them away from mucuous membranes.