This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Antibiotics would help fight this. redness. To avoid contamination. How to identify a possum. They also have sharp claws, which they use to climb trees and comb their fur. swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck, armpits or groin. In colour it is grey or dark brown on the head, back and tail and white or dirty yellow on the belly. They will attack the cat if necessary and will use their sharp and dangerous claws and teeth to win in a fight. Coleman M.C., Parkes J.P., & Walker K.J. Timely, independent, evidence-based information on new drugs and medical tests, and changes to the PBS and MBS. Possums have multiple scent glands including a red-brown gland on the chest between the front legs (sternal), near their bottoms and in the pouch region. Heavy rain may delay possums from leaving their dens. keep an eye on the bite to see if there is an infection. Droppings: Crescent shaped pellets, in groups or single. The tail holds on to a branch until all feet are touching a solid surface. A Certified Ecologist and an Entomologist, Michael has been interested in all aspects of Nature for many years. . Empirical antibiotic therapy for both prophylaxis and established infection in dog and cat bites should be directed against pasteurella, streptococci, staphylococci and anaerobes. . However kereru bites have round tips. Worldwide, tularaemia can affect a wide range of animals including rabbits, hares, rodents and wildlife. Brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula. 1 0 obj<> endobj 2 0 obj<> endobj 3 0 obj<> endobj 4 0 obj<>stream Contact your local DOC or Regional Council office for advice (see Next Steps). 1080: The Facts. (Kim Chandler) Opossums are inhibited animals, especially in daylight or under artificial light, but are by no means stupid. Although the possum is generally a clean animal well cleaner than many others, infections can occur, usually, a course of antibiotics is required to kill the infection. After completing the removal service, our professionals sanitize that place so that no odour should be left there. Partially eaten leaves, leaf stems, fruits and flowers on the ground. Lethargy from pain or subsequent infection. The common brushtail possum is the most familiar and abundant of the Australian possums. They're pretty chill. Possums are friendly mammals that reach out to strangers without reservations, while opossums are more reserved. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'rangerplanet_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_9',161,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'rangerplanet_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',161,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-161{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Heres the quick answer, then well dive into more detail. Eradicated from some offshore islands. 372 13 Avoid using any soap that is fragrant or contains alcoholic ingredients. Possum kill - kokako feather chews and regurgitated pellets. 0000002081 00000 n Within around eight hours, the possum starts experiencing paralysis, and if left untreated will . Management should take into account the type of animal that has inflicted the bite, any patient risk factors for infection, local and systemic signs of infection, and the patient's vaccination status. Check out the other species and other vegetation sign to make sure. Conservation Advisory Science Notes No. Finding a possum in your yard or home might seem like an alarming situation, but there really isnt much to worry about. Cats may require stitches and vet treatment for bites. However, possums come in grey and dark forms and there also are occasional albino animals. North and South Island, Stewart Island, Chatham Island, Kawau Island, Ruapuke Island, Native Island and Bravo Island (in Paterson Inlet). Although possums are relatively clean animals, with a mouth not known to have an environment in which bad bacteria can thrive, they are still wild animals. Signs that your cat may be suffering from a bite wound include: Obvious wound or injury. Early referral for surgical assessment of human bites to the hand may be required. Possums bring a number of health issues with them into your home. However, wax tags sometimes melted when set in open habitats, potentially obscuring possum bite marks. Cats that live outside may suffer from bite wounds from neighborhood scuffles. Brush-tailed possums are about as big as domestic cats and have a pointed snout, pink nose, long whiskers and large ears. Symptoms of tularaemia include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache and nausea, which appear within two weeks of exposure to the bacteria. One useful clue is how far up you can see the same type of damage. Episode 51: Quit smoking. The hind foot has an opposable thumb without a claw and the second and third digits are fused for most of their length except the tips. They also like the flowers of kiekie, nikau (fleshy stem only), puriri, kohekohe, five-finger, kowhai, pohutukawa, rata, rewarewa, rose, pinecone and kahikatea flower-cones and many others. Possums have a furry body, with a long prehensile (can hold on to things) bushy tail for climbing. Wash the wound carefully with warm water and soap. One pair of anal (bottom) glands contain a white substance with a penetrating acid smell rather like pickled onions. A vaccine has been developed to stop possums from breeding so fast, and is being tested. hunting by cats is a problem for the common ringtail. Birds like kereru can also strip leaves from a tree and cause ragged edges. The largest of the possums, Brushtails can be identified by their silvery-grey colour, a band found across their nose, pointy ears and of course their bushy tail. The toe pad of the thumb is usually visible and one or both of the 4th and/or 5th digit toe pads. Vegetation damage: Ragged edges on leaves, often in tree tops. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'rangerplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Once the danger has passed, the possum will revive itself and carry on with whatever it was up to before. Many animals will create trails to get from one place to another. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'rangerplanet_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-banner-1-0');However, should a confrontation occur, and the possum is unable to hide or run, it has two main defensive techniques that it can use. Possums are native to Australia. The wounds should be taken care of immediately to avoid infections. Possums threaten New Zealands ecology because they can increase to population densities where their browsing pressure can defoliate canopy and understorey vegetation. Possums like the rind on citrus fruit including lemons! Possums can produce a range of other bite mark sign depending on the angle and strength of chewing. In adults, they are more common in males than in . However, rat footprints are very much smaller and show less toe, especially on the hind foot. It is a large possum with a bushy tail and pointy ears. Behaviour and territorialism in Trichosurus vulpecula (Marsupialia). They are usually as big as a house cat and their weight ranges from 6 to 14 pounds. To mark their territories, possums release scent from glands on their chest onto tree branches. Penicillin is the treatment of choice for infections with this organism. The organism may be grown in blood cultures. They can use their natural defence mechanisms in a fight by using their claws and teeth to claw into skin, scratch and even bite your cat in a fight. Image credit: Kerikeri Peninsula Pest Control. If antibiotics are indicated, check the patient's antibiotic allergies. Possum premolar bite-mark Differentiating between Possum and Rat bite-marks Most bite-mark identification problems will involve differentiation between possum and rat bite marks. Oral amoxycillin with clavulanate is the most useful drug, but for patients with a penicillin allergy other antibiotic combinations such as clindamycin plus ciprofloxacin, or clindamycin plus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, may be used. A second pair of anal glands secrete cells suspended in a clear viscid fluid, but have no distinctive odour. Aust Prescr 2006;29:6-8. https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2006.005, Changes to COVID-19 oral antiviral PBS eligibility criteria, FAQs: use of COVID-19 oral antiviral agents in residential aged care, COVID-19 vaccination side effects: how to manage and when to report them, Chronic kidney disease: early detection and management, Mental health and young people: opportunities to empower and engage, Benzodiazepine dependence: reduce the risk, Mental health and young people: finding the path that works for you, Reducing your risk of benzodiazepine dependence, Administration of medicines to children: a practical guide, COVID-19 oral antiviral PBS eligibility criteria update November 2022, Vericiguat (Verquvo) for persistent chronic heart failure with LVEF < 45%, COVID-19 oral antiviral PBS eligibility criteria update September and November 2022, Chronic kidney disease: a focus on early detection and management Quality use of medicines briefing paper. The following are the most common symptoms of rabies. He'd . The more opossums are in the area, the fewer ticks there will be. The front legs are shorter than the hind legs. Retrieved from http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=4871, Pest Control Education Trust. Find out where the possum is getting in and out. Possum damage: the same tree before, and two years after, possum control. . Once a possum suffers a bite from a cat it is highly unlikely that it will survive, regardless of the severity of the bite. But what are the risks? Heavier possums are dominant (the boss) over smaller ones, and females tend to be dominant over similar sized (or smaller) males. More information on possum monitoring can be found in our Practical Guide to . Five or six cushion pads on the hindfoot might be visible. Contact details for local wildlife care groups can be found on the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website and an app called IFAW Wildlife Rescue can be downloaded from the app store. The Common Ringtail Possum is the size of a small cat and mainly grey with white fur on the tip of its lengthy prehensile tail, behind its eyes and on its belly. Independent peer-reviewed journal providing critical commentary on drugs and therapeutics for health professionals, Provides health professionals with timely, independent and evidence-based information, Our new and ongoing programs for healthcare professionals. They usually have signs of a developing infection such as fever, purulent wound discharge, pain and local adenopathy. In Tasmania, they tend to be black or grey and have adapted to the cold climate by . These small creatures are roughly the size of a cat with a weight ranging between 4 to 15 pounds and a length of ranging from 15 to 20 inches. This infrequently diagnosed pathogen can produce meningitis, endocarditis and sepsis. or other pets? Kiekie bracts and fruit discarded by possum. The oral flora of dogs and cats frequently contain Pasteurella species, in contrast to human oral flora. Once you contact your vet, try to keep the wound below heart . Possums are known to scavenge on deer and pig carcasses and are often caught in traps baited with rabbit meat to catch ferrets or stoats. If you have become unwell with these symptoms after recently touching a possum, especially if you were bitten or scratched, it is important to seek medical treatment early, Ms Glasgow said. (2005). Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research | Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua . from attack However the telltale signs of possums are footprints and poop. Possum trails (called pads or runs) are seen most often on the forest edge near pasture, made when possums come out from the forest at night to eat pasture species and crops. The combined head and body length is between 35 and 55 . When confronted though, a possum uses the same defensive strategies to protect itself, that of hissing and baring its teeth or playing dead. %PDF-1.4 It is highly unlikely for possums to bite you since these are shy animals who have a very docile nature and are seldom ever aggressive. You might also see claw scratches as they climb up and down scratches from claws often wrap around the trunk on a slant. They are very placid creatures who tend to avoid fights and confrontations in all instances. Their browsing can reduce flowering and fruiting, kill trees, and result in forest canopy collapse. Wounds can still get infected, whether venom was involved or not. Because possums eat the same food that native birds rely on the food available for native fauna is reduced. If the two incisor marks are wider than 5mm it is most likely a possum. However kereru bites have round tips. Care should be taken when mowing or landscaping not to mow over sick or dead animals. 384 0 obj<>stream The main feeding activity tends to occur about two hours after they have come out of the den. 0000001565 00000 n Information for NSW Health immunisation providers, Your Room - Information about alcohol and other drugs, Preconception, maternity, and child and family health, Interpreting/translating and multicultural health services, Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation, Policy directives, guidelines and information bulletins, Government Information Public Access Act (GIPA), NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website, Rare infection from possum scratch prompts warning. But if you do see one, dont let your pets approach it, and neither should you or your kids. Impact of feral pigs and other predators on macro-invertebrates, D'Urville Island. In Australia, special care should be taken when handling sick or dead ringtail possums. Broom J, Woods ML. To date there have been fourlocally acquired cases of tularaemia reportedin Australia. A single possum can eat more than 60 Powelliphanta per night! 0000000016 00000 n The woman was bitten and scratched by a ringtail possum in a Northern Sydney suburb in early March, and since developed symptoms including swollen lymph glands, fatigue, and a sore throat. (2014). We use the best method to remove possums from your home location. As with any animal bites, you will need to keep a close eye on your wound to make sure that it doesn't get infected. Your doctor will diagnose the infection based on the symptoms and a sample from the affected area. Possums walk on all four feet when on the ground and the gait length is about 10 to 12 cm between placement of left and right feet. There are a number of predators that might visit, including, foxes, raccoons, skunks, cats, and dogs. Diet can vary seasonally with invertebrates being common during certain times (depending on where and what habitat). STEP 2: Secure outside entry points to your home; block access to chimneys, vents, or any other holes or gaps. The forests ability to regenerate is reduced because fewer seeds are produced. 0000000870 00000 n Laboratories are required to notify cases of tularaemia on diagnosis. . Possum kill - feather pellets spat out by possums after feeding on birds. Treatment is intravenous penicillin for 5-7 days followed by oral penicillin for seven days. Other important differences between human bites and dog and cat bites are the presence of Eikenella corrodens, the absence of Pasteurella multocida, and a higher frequency of beta-lactamase-producing organisms and anaerobes. Possums have six incisor teeth at the front of the jaw (four up and two down) designed for cutting plant matter; a relatively small canine part way back; and premolars/molars at the back for crushing and grinding plant matter. The more medicines you take, the more difficult it can be to remember important information about them. Weka peck neat holes through the central whorl of the shell to access the meat. Keep an eye on the wound and look out for sign of an infection. Retrieved from http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/page.aspx?threats_animal_pests_mammalian_pests_possums, Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania. They eat snails like Wainuia, Powelliphanta and Placostylus, which include many rare species. Rats, rabbits, hares, hedgehogs and kea can also crush chewcard margins. We recommend you to use it in the garden by spraying it on foliage that possums eat. And whatre the chances that my dog might get bitten? A possum can have several dens and can change dens several times per night. Opossums have 16 molars; eight on the top, eight on the bottom, and eight per side. Most infected people recover fully with the appropriate treatment. Mix the ingredients in a bowl and let it sit overnight. . -9fF- The messy feeding sign can be confused with that of ship rat or other rodents, and mustelids like stoats. The following statements are either true or false. zzPweA|9y9\")r%AdH%I9Z*qkybJrr_Q`S}Z'*Ry=a'Wg?+/ ,(u "*1yD They spread the disease to New Zealands cattle and deer herds, which threatens the meat export industries. . Travellers to affected countries should avoid contact with tick and deer flies by using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants and socks, drinking only treated water and eating well cooked meat. Unpublished report. Management of bite injuries. Larger mammals will likely swallow the fruit whole. Common brushtail possum native range One of the most commonly known habits of opossums is "playing dead" or, as it is frequently called, "playing possum.". Problems with Animals. Barking dogs. We recommend using wax tags or chew cards to monitor possum abundance in your Predator Free 2050 protection area. The symptoms and signs that show an animal bite may be infected include: the wound getting more painful. First things first, call your veterinarian to let them know that you're en route to their office, even if you're 100 percent sure that the bite was non-venomous. If you are experiencing a problem with an animal in Hume City it is important to follow the right steps to seek assistance. bites of infected blood-feeding arthropods, such as tick and deer fly, drinking contaminated water or eating undercooked meat of an infected animal, contact of broken skin with natural water bodies, such as lakes or rivers, contaminated by infected animals. Many other species. Making safe and wise decisions for biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and other specialised medicines. Possums are nocturnal (only come out at night) and if you shine a torch in the trees at night you might see their large eyes reflecting a red light. Some possum-preferred plant species have disappeared in some areas, but no species has become extinct in New Zealand because of possums. Last updated: Although antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated for minor injuries, a clinical syndrome of rat-bite fever should be kept in mind if patients present with malaise, fever and progressive arthralgia following a rat bite. Possum crushing and incisor marks on chewcard. Worldwide, cat bites account for 2-50% of injuries related to animal-bites. If there are no trees, use a post. You can recognise a Common Brushtail Possum ( Trichosurus vulpecula) by its thick, bushy tail which distinguishes it from the smaller Common Ringtail Possum. Risk factors for bite wound infection include comorbid conditions such as diabetes, liver disease (iron-overload states) and asplenia. A key differentiator may be the presence or absence of feather and bone or eggshell 'pellets' produced by possums. GPO Box 5480, Sydney NSW 2001 Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health CareLevel 5, 255 Elizabeth StreetSydney NSW 2000, We are always looking for ways to improve our website, Please help us to improve our services by answering the following question. Possums do not bite. Animal bites and scratches, even minor ones, can sometimes lead to complications. Possums tend to live solitary lives except during breeding season. Malcolm, T. (2009). Draft Predator Control Manual. Possums can squeeze through a nine-centimetre . Typically the incisor pairs are 4.5 - 7 mm wide, including the medial notch. Possums live in dens. One disease in particular, that can be transferred through possum poop is Myeloencephalitis (EPM), this illness can negatively affect your cat's nervous system. "If you have become unwell with these symptoms after recently touching a possum . They have gray to black colored fur and a distinct pinkish nose. The principles of management of bite injuries include cleaning and debriding the wound (often requiring surgical consultation), consideration of prophylactic antibiotics, treatment of infectious complications when they develop and appropriate use of tetanus vaccination. %%EOF Possums can swim but dont much like water. If you develop symptoms or think you have been exposed, consult your GP as early as possible. 8. Thyroid disease: challenges in primary care. It will usually only eat the crop and abdomen areas right there in the coop. A possum skull showing arrangement of teeth. Leptospirosis is a disease that can be spread through possum poop. Wash the bite well with soap and water. Cowan P.E. Human bite injuries transfer a larger number of bacteria than dog or cat bites due to a greater density of normal oral flora. A disease called Tularemia can be caused by the introduction of bacteria to an open wound. Prophylaxis is usually continued for 5-7 days. cough, chest pain and difficulty breathing. In TKing, C.M., (Ed. If you see sick or injured wildlife, do not pick it up or try to rescue it. Stoats often kill with a distinctive bite mark to the back of the head and prefer to drag their prey under cover. Their immediate instinct it to escape. Plus, it makes possums even more unique parts of our natural environment. Tularaemia occurs in parts of North America, Europe, Russia, China and Japan. New Zealand plant conservation network. People could potentially be exposed as a result of bioterrorism. Less food means reduced breeding success for native birds and insects. Flowers can also be eaten by native birds such as kaka, kea, kakariki and exotic birds such as rosella. (1988). Not the footprints or tracks you were looking for? A possum's claws and teeth are sharper than a cat's, so a standoff could prove deadly. Mount the wax tag and luminescent strip on the same nail 30 cm above the ground with the wax block facing the ground. You can easily add a repellant, this sonic repellant on Amazon is well priced with good reviews. The possum fur is much prized because it doesn't shed and is anti-static. Bite marks. As seen in the formula, possums lack canines in their lower mandible, leaving a diastema . 1. 1995; Thomas 1999; Blackwell et . On chewcards, possums will typically leave extensively crushed margins in which individual bite marks may or may not be evident. Tracks up and down spurs are often made by ungulate species such as deer and goat. 0000003273 00000 n (2014). Only two cases of tularaemia have been reported in people in Australia previously, both of whom had been bitten or scratched by possums in Tasmania in 2011. The most commonly isolated organisms from human bites include alpha-and beta-haemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, corynebacteria, and Eikenella corrodens.2,3 Eikenella corrodens should be considered because of its unusual antimicrobial sensitivities; it is sensitive to penicillin and amoxycillin with clavulanate, but resistant to 'first generation' cephalosporins, methicillin and clindamycin. Mature possums have a brown stain (the sternal gland) between their front legs. Minks will leave,"vampire marks",on the neck,drinking the blood and leaving the body intact. This means that in areas of possum trapping you are more likely to catch a male wandering in from adjacent areas. The toe pads for the 2nd and 3rd digits may or may not show, but are not fused. Once clean and dry, you should apply an antiseptic to the wound. Results from some learning and discrimination tests rank opossums above dogs and more or less on a par with pigs in intelligence. However, they can kill a cat for food if they feel threatened or cornered. Many other species bite bark, but mostly more up and down. They also have a range of screeches, grunts, growls, hisses and chatters. If all species in an area are affected, rather than just the ones possums really like, then it may be a weather event. I have 2 cat-opossum stories. of a premolar bite-mark left by a possum premolar is shown in the following photograph. Long incubation periods can occur. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'rangerplanet_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-leader-1-0');Of course, this is still not recommended, its a good idea to err on the side of caution instead. These patients predominantly have a contaminated wound with no signs of infection. Reluctance to be touched or held. Possums are still spreading into new areas. Latest news, evidence and CPD opportunities. Look for holes under eaves; loose tiles or roofing iron; or access from underneath a house up through wall cavities to the roof. A single possum can eat more than 60 Powelliphanta per night! Possums are opportunistic feeders and possibly may eat lizards and frogs if they can catch them but there are no confirmed records of this occurring.. The dens are not exclusive; more than one possum may use it, but preferably not at the same time. Remember: Even cat and . Look in and around the crushed areas and margins of the chewcard for the characteristic tooth marks pairs of incisor tooth impressions with a distinctive 'medial notch' in the middle, made by the gap between the two teeth. (Undated). So were going to answer the question regarding if possums bite! Symptoms usually appear suddenly and include high fever, chills, fatigue, general body aches, headache and nausea. Advanced trainee in infectious diseases, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane. The Taronga Conservation Societys Australian Registry of Wildlife Health is assisting the NSW Health investigation in this rare occurrence of the disease. If you have a greater Possum infestation, however, then you may need to contact your local pest control agents. An independent peer-reviewed journal providing critical commentary on drugs and therapeutics. A possum has the ability to fall to the ground and play dead in a highly convincing manner. Males and females are similar in size; between 650 and 930 mm, including a tail of 250 to 405 mm. National Possum Control Agencies, Wellington. Heres our favored humane approach to deter possums around your property outside. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Possums are generally shy and timid creatures that would rather scamper away than be in a confrontation. endstream endobj 383 0 obj<>/Size 372/Type/XRef>>stream Other important differences between human bites and dog and cat bites are the presence of Eikenella corrodens, the absence of Pasteurella multocida, and a higher frequency of beta-lactamase-producing organisms and anaerobes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'rangerplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_16',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Early detection of any infection is helpful. Possum incisor teeth bite mark on a Waxtag. Asplenic patients are at particular risk for infection with Capnocytophaga canimorsus. Pain, itching, or numbness and tingling at the site of the wound. In Italy for example, the incidence of cat-related injuries is 18 per 100 000 population, while in the United States of America, there are an estimated 400 000 cat bites and 66 000 visits to hospital emergency departments every year. Kean R.I. (1967). Are they safe around possums? Antibiotics are required to treat the infection. Tularaemia is a rare bacterial disease that is usually acquired from handling infected animals, bites of infected ticks or deer flies or from contaminated food or water. Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. Any wound may be contaminated with tetanus spores, but wounds contaminated with dirt, saliva or certain types of wounds such as crush injuries and puncture wounds are more likely to be associated with tetanus inoculation. Relevant, timely and evidence-based information for Australian health professionals and consumers. Signs that your cat is suffering from this illness . The majority of animal bites received by humans are dog bites (85-90%), followed by cat bites (5-10%) and rodent bites (2-3%). As a result, other potential animalsources in Australia are suspected but have not been clearly identified. The median time to presentation with the first symptoms of infection is 24 hours.2 Factors that may increase the risk of infection include deeper wounds, puncture injuries, crush wounds and wounds on the hand.
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