When I was younger and played around in the backyard alot, a friend and I would occasionally come across these....things. They were little, jet black balls of fuzz. She told me they were poisonous and that they were called Asps. I couldnt find anything on asps, so thats probably what she just called them. So, if they aren't asps, what are they? I wish I could describe it more, but I haven't seen one in years because I don't crawl around in the dirt anymore.
2006-12-01 14:39:22 · 7 answers · asked by Your Highness 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
I know what you are talking about. They are also called Tree Asps here in Texas. They are a type of catterpiller. They are tear drop shaped and look very soft and fluffy, but have a horrible sting. I cant find the scientific name for them. Its true there are snakes called Asps, which is the more common usage.
2006-12-01 15:05:43 · answer #1 · answered by sngcanary 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Asps are various species of snakes, but identify none as the common venomous snake( a viper) of England is called an asp, and the cobra of North Africa is called an asp, which is probably derived from the word Aesculapian which refers to the God of Medicine and the symbol of medicine today is the cadeuces or a staff with snakes entwined. By legend, Cleopatra used an asp to commit suicide...however it was likely a cobra rather then one of the vipers called asps...she would have lingered in pain...but envenomation by an Egyptian Cobra would produce a relatively painless death. So common names are misleading. What you are probably referring to are caterpillars which are fuzzy worms (my description) and they are mildly toxic...the bristles or hair-like structures are irritating and will cause a rash (some species are very painful and others are dangerous...a policeman in HK crushed one against his neck and he was admitted to the ER in shock and with great difficulty, we saved his life).
2006-12-01 20:04:33 · answer #2 · answered by Frank 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An asp is a venomous snake in the cobra family. They are definitely not fuzzy. I don't know what you are describing, but it doesn't sound like any kind of snake.
Edited to add: I just checked out the web page Koori K. suggested. That is really interesting! I have never heard of such a thing. Guess we don't have them up north!
2006-12-01 14:50:42 · answer #3 · answered by redhairedgirl 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Asp is what we call it in Texas. xD
Here's an article about them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asp_%28caterpillar%29
2006-12-01 14:48:53 · answer #4 · answered by Pinky♥Puffin 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Asp is the snake that belongs to the cobra family.For more deatails go and search here
http://www.discovery.com
http://www.wikipedia.com
http://www.schooldiscoveries.com
2006-12-01 14:57:02 · answer #5 · answered by GR 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have know idea, where do you live?
2006-12-01 14:44:22 · answer #6 · answered by dizzy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
we call these caterpillars.....fuzzy wuzzies
2006-12-01 18:42:33 · answer #7 · answered by aprilsdad97 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋