“Honestly, your best defense against an animal bite is staying aware and giving nature her space,” Thierbach stated. REPTILE BITES (ALLIGATORS AND SNAKES) Alligator Bites While you can find squirrels and rac- coons just about anywhere in the United States, there are a few animals home to the south that can make the job of an arborist a bit more dangerous. Alligators are most commonly found in warm, swampy regions throughout South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama — and yes, they can and will bite. With a 2,000 to 3,000 pound per square inch (psi) bite force, an alligator can do some serious damage to a hu- man, causing severe injury and even death. “You might encounter an alligator while working on a golf course,” said Thierbach. “They’ll just walk across the
Alligators don’t always give warning signs before an attack. This makes distance and awareness your best defense on job sites that are home to these reptiles.
greens, usually because there are lakes or little ponds nearby. And the scary part is you might not even know one’s there.” Whereas smaller critters may show warning signs before biting, like chit-
tering or raising their tails, gators don’t always give a warning before an attack. In many cases, they may approach quickly and bite without any signs of aggression beforehand. The good news, though, is that alligators don’t neces- sarily seek out humans to bite — let
Buy a Tool, Not a Toy! Designed for the professional arborist, the ArborPro 525 is the machine you’ve been asking for—a smaller, uncomplicated, tool-carrying brute, with features to make your job easier! The 525 boasts a high-capacity aluminum oil cooler; a larger aluminum radiator; and a skid steer-style quick-attach. The mechanically-controlled 24.8 HP Kubota engine and hydraulics system, paired with minimal electrical parts, make it reliable and easy to maintain. And, it’s robust housing is built with solid, U.S. steel. Custom Arborist Features: • Chainsaw Holder • Rigging Bollard • Draw Bar Hitch • Wheel-mounted Anchors • Articulating Joint Lock • Metal Toolbox
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