Redback Spider Facts (Latrodectus hasseltii)

The redback spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) is a highly venomous spider that is originally from Australia, although it has colonized other regions. Redback spiders are closely related to black widows and females of both species have red hourglass markings on their abdomens. The redback spider also has a red stripe on its back. Redback spider bites may be painful, but are usually not a medical emergency and very rarely fatal. Fast Facts: Redback Spider Scientific Name: Latrodectus hasseltiiCommon Names: Redback spider, Australian black widow, red-striped spiderBasic Animal Group: InvertebrateSize: 0.4 inches (female); 0.12-0.16 inches (male)Lifespan: 2-3 years (female); 6-7 months (male)Diet: CarnivoreHabitat: Australia, New Zealand, Southeast AsiaPopulation: AbundantConservation Status: Not Evaluated Description The female redback spider is easy to recognize. She has a spherical, shiny black (sometimes brown) body with a red hourglass on her underside and a red stripe on her back. Females measure 1 centimeter or 0.4 inches in size. Sometimes all-black females occur. The male is much smaller than the female (3-4 millimeters or 0.12-0.16 inches). He is brown with white marks on his back and a pale hourglass on his underside. Spiderlings start out pale gray with darker spots. After a few molts, juvenile females darken and have the red stripe and hourglass, as well as white abdominal markings. The male redback spider is much smaller than the female and colored differently. Wocky /Â  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Habitat and Distribution Redback spiders are originally from Australia and are widespread throughout the country. International shipping has accidentally introduced the species to several other countries, including New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Japan, New Guinea, the Philippines, India, and England. The spiders thrive in dry habitats, such as deserts, and areas with human habitation. They build their webs in dark, dry, sheltered areas including rocks, shrubs, mailboxes, under toilet seats, inside tires, around sheds, and in outhouses. Diet and Behavior Like other spiders, redbacks are carnivores. They prey upon other spiders (including members of their own species), small snakes and lizards, mice, and wood lice. Juveniles eat fruit flies, cockroach nymphs, and mealworm larvae. Males and juvenile females may feed on an adult females prey, but are just as likely to become her next meal. Redbacks build an irregular web with sticky vertical strands and funnel-shaped retreat. The spider spends most of its time in the funnel and emerges to spin or repair its web at night. When a creature becomes ensnared in the web, the spider advances from its retreat, squirts liquid silk onto the target to immobilize it, then repeatedly bites its victim. Redbacks wrap their prey in silk, but do not rotate it during wrapping. Once wrapped, the spider carries its prey back to its retreat and sucks out the liquefied innards. The entire process takes between 5 and 20 minutes. Reproduction and Offspring Males are attracted to pheromones on the females web. Once a male finds a receptive female, he exhibits sexual self-sacrifice, where he inserts his palps into the females spermathecae (sperm storage organs) and somersaults so his abdomen is over her mouth. The female consumes the male during mating. Not all males mate using this method. Some bite through the exoskeleton of immature females to deliver sperm, so when the female performs her final molt she already contains fertilized eggs. Females can store sperm up to two years and use it to fertilize multiple batches of eggs, but they will accept new mates three months after mating. A female forms four to ten egg sacs, each about 1 centimeter (0.39 inches) round and containing 40 to 500 eggs. A new egg sac can be made every one to three weeks. Spiderlings hatch after 8 days. They feed from the yolk and molt once before emerging at 11 days. Spiderlings live in the maternal web up to a week, feeding on their mothers prey and on each other. Then, they climb to a high point, produce a silk droplet, and are carried by the wind until their silk sticks to an object. The spiders build their webs and typically stay near the initial landing spot their entire lives. Males mature after instars (developmental molts) and 45-90 days, while females mature after seven or eight instars between 75 and 120 days. Males live six to seven months, while females live two to three years. Redback spiderlings are gray and resemble small house spiders. Bidgee /Â  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Conservation Status The redback spider has not been evaluated for a conservation status. The species is widespread across Australia. Redback spiders are preyed upon by many species, including the house spider, daddy-long-legs, and cellar spider. If these other spiders are present, redbacks tend to be absent. The use of pesticides to control redbacks is not recommended, as they kill other species and only temporarily control the spider population. Redback Spiders and Humans Redback spiders bite between 2,000 and 10,000 people in Australia annually. However, only one human death has been reported since an antivenom became available in 1956. Antivenom isnt actually more helpful than a standard analgesic for most human bites, but is effective for pet and livestock bites. While males bite, they dont cause significant symptoms. Juvenile and adult females can deliver either dry bites or venom. When venom is used, a syndrome called latrodectism occurs. Symptoms appear between an hour to 24 hours and include pain, swelling, and redness from the bite site. Sweating and goosebumps often occur. The bites rarely result in infection, seizure, respiratory failure, or pulmonary edema and never cause tissue necrosis. Redback spider bites are not considered a medical emergency for healthy adults. However, children, pregnant women, and elderly people may seek medical attention. Dogs resist redback venom, but cats, guinea pigs, camels, and horses are susceptible and benef it from the antivenom. Sources Brunet, Bert. Spiderwatch: A Guide to Australian Spiders. Reed, 1997. ISBN 0-7301-0486-9.Forster, L. M. The Stereotyped Behavior of Sexual Cannibalism in Latrodectus-Hasselti Thorell (Araneae, Theridiidae), the Australian Redback Spider. Australian Journal of Zoology. 40: 1, 1992. doi:10.1071/ZO9920001Sutherland, Struan K. and James Tibballs. Australian Animal Toxins (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-19-550643-X.Whyte, Robert and Greg Anderson. A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia. Clayton South, VIC, 2017. ISBN 9780643107076.

Essay about The Increase of Transgender people - 1217 Words

Most people go about their lives without ever giving thought to their gender. They never blink an eye when they chose to go into a bathroom, when the room is divided by genders, when they walk into the store to buy some clothes and go to either the male or female section. However, there are many people who feel like they don’t belong in the section that they are in. These people who are generally referred to as transgender, struggle everyday with feeling out of place - feeling confused about which bathroom that they should be in or which section in the store they should shop in. 1 in 30,000 males and 1 in 100,000 females rank high on the Benjamin scale, the scale that is used for the identification of persons experiencing gender dysphoria†¦show more content†¦The struggles and issues that transgender individuals face are prominent, however this has not prevented these people from continuing to pursue living as the opposite sex. â€Å"Transgender individuals tend to b e heavily stigmatized in Western society for their gender nonconformity. For example, they may have difficulty finding a job in the cross-gender role, be denied access to health and social services, be ridiculed in public, or be considered sinful and an abomination to God by their church† (Bockting 291). Many transgender people have been the victim of hate crimes. To garner awareness of this issue, LGBTQ activists created the Transgender Day of Remembrance for transgender individuals who were victim of hate crimes. These activist were able to turn something as tragic as a hate crime into a cause for rallying even more support to the transgender cause. Today, hate crimes are not seen as a deterrent for transgender individuals, but instead as a reminder as to why fighting for their rights and respect is so very important. Many people struggle with the symptoms and urges of gender dysphoria for a long time without acting on them solely because they are not aware that transgenderi sm is possible. A prime example of this would be John Nemecek a man who struggled with severe gender dysphoria for a long time. He began taking hormonesShow MoreRelatedSecretary Of Defense Ashton Carter1742 Words   |  7 PagesOn June 30, 2016 Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced the Pentagon Policy change which ended the ban on Transgender Americans in the Military, allowing all to serve openly with no discrimination. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the previous policy in place was the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) policy, put into effect by former President Bill Clinton in 1993. Under the DADT policy homosexuals were permitted to serve in the military but were not allowed to talk about their sexual orientationRead MoreThe Psychological Factors Of The Bathroom Bill1279 Words   |  6 Pagesbill,† they passed March 23rd of 2016. The particular bill requires transgender people to use the restroom of the gender assigned to them at birth. It also â€Å"banned any minimum-wage increases or anti-discrimination statutes local governments might pass† (McCLELLAND 40). Not only did this aggravate the LGBT community, it has agitated many of their supporters, specially celebrities. The bill has caused a media firestorm, so many people are protesting within and without North Carolina’s state lines. RegardlessRead MoreMaura Pfefferman Reflection1557 Words   |  7 Pagesthe plight of the queer individuals in society. This blunt reflection raises awareness of the self-centered nature of humans and the hatred, insensitivity, and bigotry that these individuals face, which hopefully can prompt an increase in acceptance of differences between people. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines bigotry as â€Å"obstinate or intolerant devotion to ones own opinions and prejudices.† Soloway excellently portrays that everyone is susceptible to bigotry through the self-centered responsesRead MoreThe Gay Is Good Campaign1580 Words   |  7 Pages churches, bathrooms, sections in restaurants, and they sat in different parts of the bus than Caucasians. Blacks were treated unfairly, and finally, after a hundred years of standing up for themselves, they administered justice. After that, many people had the courage to stand up for what they believed in. Stopping the war, Feminism, Religion, and what’s most popular today, Homosexuality. In late 1960’s, activists started the â€Å"Gay is good† campaign. Then the Stonewall riots came after police raidedRead MoreThe Bathroom Bill Should Not Be A Federally Mandated Law1496 Words   |  6 Pagesmake a year that everyone has kept their eye out on North Carolina du e to the House Bill 2, also known as the â€Å"bathroom bill,† they passed March 23rd of 2016. This particular bill requires Transgender people to use the restroom of the gender assigned to them at birth. It also â€Å"banned any minimum-wage increases or anti-discrimination statutes local governments might pass† (McCLELLAND 40). 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However, for children who are sexual minorities this can be a confusing time developmentally. â€Å"Children with transgender identities often live their lives in a gender role that is clearly defined, albeit in the opposite role of their biological sex [†¦ and] not every person who explores gender in childhood will later identify as transgender† (Janssen Erickson-Schroth, 2013, p. 995, 996). How can children express their gender identity when they are not completely developmentallyRead MoreNeoliberalism : An Dominant Ideology Of The Modern Era1680 Words   |  7 Pagesperpetrates the ideas of deregulation, privatization, austerity, and blame in modern society, which all affect the transgender community disproportionately in a negative manner. For example, neoliberal ideologies, tactics, and effects cr eate an upward distribution of wealth, both nationally and globally, that results in a precarization of labor. Subsequently, members of the transgender community are not only unable to find job opportunities, but are prevented from attaining, and even applying for,

Second Foundation Last Interlude Free Essays

Bail Channis sat in the small white-tiled room and allowed his mind to relax. He was content to live in the present. There were the walls and the window and the grass outside. We will write a custom essay sample on Second Foundation Last Interlude or any similar topic only for you Order Now They had no names. They were just things. There was a bed and a chair an books that developed themselves idly on the screen at the foot of his bed. There was the nurse who brought him his food. At first he had made efforts to piece together the scraps of things he had heard. Such as those two men talking together. One had said: â€Å"Complete aphasia now. It’s cleaned out, and I think without damage. It will only be necessary to return the recording of his original brain-wave makeup.† He remembered the sounds by rote, and for some reason they seemed peculiar sounds – as if they meant something. But why bother. Better to watch the pretty changing colors on the screen at the foot of the thing he lay on. And then someone entered and did things to him and for a long time, he slept. And when that had passed, the bed was suddenly a bed and he knew he was in a hospital, and the words he remembered made sense. He sat up: â€Å"What’s happening?† The First Speaker was beside him, â€Å"You’re on the Second Foundation, and you have your mind back – your original mind.† â€Å"Yes! Yes!† Channis came to the realization that he was himself, and there was incredible triumph and joy in that. â€Å"And now tell me,† said the First Speaker, â€Å"do you know where the Second Foundation is now?† And the truth came flooding down in one enormous wave and Channis did not answer. Like Ebling Mis before him, he was conscious of only one vast, numbing surprise. Until he finally nodded, and said: â€Å"By the Stars of the Galaxy – now, I know.† How to cite Second Foundation Last Interlude, Essay examples

Education Of Gifted Children Essay Example For Students

Education Of Gifted Children Essay Started in the 1970s, Americas Gifted Talented programs are used to enhance the curriculum of students included in either category in order to challenge and strengthen their unique abilities. These students are usually provided a separate class with specialized lessons in all areas and a teacher with a special degree in gifted education. I feel that it is important that the teacher was a gifted student who would know what the students must face as above average members of their school. The job market for gifted education offers a wide range of opportunity and gifted teachers are needed all over the country.One of the earliest programs for gifted and talented students was set up in 1974, at The Old Donation Center, in Virginia Beach. Students scoring within the top 3% of students on an assessment test are referred here to be further challenged. These students are considered gifted and have special teachers and classes to promote development of their talents and minds. We will write a custom essay on Education Of Gifted Children specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Programs like this began to pop up around the nation in the 70s; however, gifted students were looked down upon by teachers, parents, and peers. Many people considered them to be freaks because they were different. They didnt understand the implications of the terms gifted and talented. Most people simply expected gifted students to act more mature or to be geniuses, even though gifted students are the same as other children in their needs as human beings. Some gifted students were forced to grow up too fast and some simply ignored the fact that they were smarter than others, thus, they were lost in the shuffle. The irony of it all is that gifted-ness seems to run in families and the children of these repressed gifted students are, themselves, gifted.But what exactly is a gifted student? Students (elementary secondary) are given a repertoire of tests. These tests check IQ, psychomotor ability, specific academic aptitude/talent, creative and productive thinking, leadership ability, and skills in the visual and performing arts. The main requirement, the IQ, is tested by a standardized IQ test (remember, however, that IQ tests are not always perfectly accurate). Ratings are given to each bracket of IQ scores:85-99 Lower normal100-114 Upper normal115-129 Bright130-144 Gifted145-159 Highly gifted160+ Above profoundly giftedIf a student receives a rating of gifted or higher (130+), he/she is considered to be a gifted student and is introduced into the designated programs. These students are given the opportunity to choose classes that are meant to teach them how to use their minds for critical thinking, reasoning, and artistic pursuits. Students in these classes are also exposed to culture, literature, and other subject areas that are not usually covered in what they term normal classes. The gifted classes are mainly in an open format allowing the student to create the parameters of his/her work and allowing them to be creative in their learning experience. Each class is presided-over by a teacher that has specialized degrees in gifted education. Almost every school in the United States has a need for a gifted class, making job opportunities endless; there are never enough.Gifted teachers must have both a degree in education (secondary or elementary) and a degree in special education (gifted). These teachers are individuals that must have stamina, people skills, and open minds. It is also important (to the students) that the teacher himself/herself was also classified as gifted. It sets a common bond, shows them that the teacher understands the problems they face as so-called smart kids. These students are often ridiculed by their peers and looked-down upon by their teachers. They are often separated from others their age by a barrier that can only be described as their intelligence. This is why, often, gifted teachers have degrees in administration, counseling, or psychology. All teachers that I interviewed told me that a continually upgraded education is a must (as are additional degrees). In order to keep up with the students one must attend seminars, workshops, special classes, etc. .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 , .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .postImageUrl , .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 , .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457:hover , .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457:visited , .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457:active { border:0!important; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457:active , .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457 .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7e43241927492d393df3a65d9702b457:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: AIDS/HIV Essay There is no end to the amount of education that could help you to understand gifted students and the role of their teacher. Also, if a teacher has extra educational qualifications, he/she could be asked to step up to the position of administrator or, more often, counselor. This means pay raises. Though the average salary for teachers is approximately $27,500 per year, it is a worthwhile undertaking according to Jane Mansueto, It is incredible to work with gifted students. They are incredible! She went on to remark that it is fascinating to imagine that they are of the same level of intelligence as the teacher and what they must be feeling inside. She feels that the students are not bothered by what their peers think, but actually tend to understand that others opinions mean little compared to their own. Mrs. Mansueto taught at Elm Grove Middle School for 5 years. She commented on her role as a gifted teacher to consist of one part mentorship, one part hardship, and one part friendship. When asked what kind of hours she keeps, she laughed and asked if she was supposed to have time off. According to Mrs. Mansueto, unlike a normal teacher, a gifted teacher has no books to go by or preset material to teach, or, for that matter, a preset subject to teach. They are given a blank page and, using input from students, must draw up lessons from every subject area and constantly challenge the inquisitive minds of the gifted. Jane Mansueto attended Trinity College where she majored in both elementary education and gifted education. Her favorite part of being a gifted teacher is being with the students, working hand in hand with them to plan and carry out projects and trips. Though the pay is average, and there is not much room to be promoted if you wish to remain in the classroom, gifted teaching has its personal rewards. Jeff Simpleton, a gifted teacher as well as a former gifted student, states, I really think that by being gifted, I am in touch with what they have to go through. They know that I can understand. Mr. Simpletons class consists of 6 high school students, who have many problems due to the intelligence barrier and a kind of isolation that has built up over the years between themselves and their classmates. They seem to feel that they have a reputation that they must live up to. The students try to please everyone they push themselves with sheer motivation and determination and drive. Mr. Simpleton feels that this is what makes them so great. He feels hat anyone with a sense of adventure and a need for something new day after day would find teaching a gifted class to be the perfect job for them. Gifted teachers are important to the development of their students minds. They are understanding individuals who must work hard to make the curriculum interesting and challenging. With the proper education it is possible to go far as a teacher of the gifted.Works CitedVarious Internet sites. No info available for documentation.Meckstroth, Elizabeth A., Stephanie S. Tolan, James T. Webb. Guiding the Gifted Child: A Practical Source for Parents and Teachers, et al. Gifted Psychology Pr, March 1989.Montgomery, Diane. Educating the Able (Special Needs in Ordinary Schools). Cassell Academic, April 1996.