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The Animal Kingdom. (status Jan. 2007)
Cats and Dogs, and more Cats and ...Chickens!
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There are plenty of cats and dogs around.
The local attitude towards animals might be different that what you are
used to. I have seen one of the local kids hit and kick a kitten while the
adults nearby just looked on, saying nothing about it.
Most people here do not seem to keep them as personal pets, but mostly let
them roam around free to fend for themselves. They feed themselves by
begging and by going through the garbage. They do carry lots of ticks and
fleas.
The local dogs are tame and friendly. They crave friendship and attention.
Be nice to one, and you'll have a follower for all the time you're there.
Beware of outside dogs. They can be aggressive, especially if there are
several together looking for food.
Recently, several starving dogs with severe skin diseases (scabies) have
been showing up at the project.
The chickens roam free around the project and sleep in the trees at
night. Don't park your car underneath that tree ...
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Bugs.
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"Bichos" is the Spanish
word for insect or bug.
However, the term is used specifically for a black beetle that is
abundant here in the rainy season. They defend themselves with a
concentrated acid that will severely blister the skin.
Emily just about goes nuts when she sees them flying
around the lights at night. |
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| "La Cucaracha"
= a cockroach.
= a lively dancing tune.
You are likely to find both varieties in PROJIMO. |
 This one
is not dancing anymore. |
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Alacranes / Scorpions.
Black scorpions are seen regularly in and around the houses of
PROJIMO.
Their sting is extremely painful and can be deadly to small children.
Never walk around barefoot, even inside the houses. Shake out your
shoes before putting them on.
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Spiders
are available in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
Two more dangerous types are the are black widow spiders and tarantulas. |
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Ants
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 Parasol ants.
Their "ant highways" from their nest to the trees where they cut leaves
can be several 100 ms long.
Their bite is quite painful, and they are a real nuisance in the
sleeping quarters of the project.
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| The "Love bug" |
Mexico had the last assembly line of the "classic" love bug.
Even now, taxis in many cities are almost exclusively of this type. |
As I know from personal experience,
this type of love bug also hangs around in the project :-)
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Other creepy-crawlies.
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"Sapos" |
Frogs and toads are very common
in the rainy season.
If you leave the door open at night with the light on inside, you
will get visitors.
Beware of the very brightly colored ones. Their skin may be toxic.
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Rodents |
Mice are
a/ very common in the neighborhood, and
b/ not at all uncommon inside the houses.
People don't seem to mind a/ at all,
but for some reason do not seem to like b/ very much ==>
and even seem to get rather upset about it. |
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| Gekkos |
These tiny lizards can be found in every house.
They are considered good to have around.
They eat other bugs! :-)
They also poop on the walls and in your cabinets. :-(
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Snakes
are occasionally seen on PROJIMO grounds.
Be careful when walking in the back yard,
especially when the weeds are high. |
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Page last modified:
March 17, 2011
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