How do you perceive wild animals? Do you think they will hunt or attack you? Utterly harmless? In between?
-
That's my take on feral hogs, but mooses?! Did one bit your sister or something?
I'm from Newfoundland. Moose were brought in to fill the gap left behind by reindeer after we hunted all of them. Problem is that moose do not fit that niche, they destroy it. They're way too big so none of the natural predators of this island are capable of taking them down. They wander out in the middle of highways and roads at night and cause hundreds of accidents per year. Due to their size, they also tend to kill the people in accidents with them. Everyone on this island has lost family to those fucking things.
-
I see the personalities in my yard squirrels and the squirrels out back, way off in the woods. I can get about 20' from a yard squirrel, they're fairly tame. Their country cousins run so fast I usually only hear rattling leaves.
Never seen "fawn" included!
I hadn't seen fawn on there before either. I looked up fight/flight/freeze and saw I was out of date myself.
Now we know!
-
Thought everyone understood that wild animals can be dangerous, but mostly hide or run away.
Only laid eyes on a panther once. It had checked me out ahead of time, utterly ignored me. Only seen one gator that wasn't hauling ass away from my canoe or kayak. Saw a mama black bear with tiny babies galumphing along behind as she ran off. Went back the next day, couldn't see her, but I heard the warning! Water moccasins hiss and pitch a fit, run away. You'd have to be deaf and step on one. (I've come close!)
Then you got people like my wife. She went to meet me at the trail entrance the other night, saw a small animal cross the path, got spooked and ran back to her car. Daughter and I saw a roll of teenage armadillos, up close! My wife asked if they would attack us.
Wife's friend came over from England. She was choking down panic and the sun set on our camp in the swamp. I assured her that speaking in a normal tone of voice would scare anything away. Never been in wild woods and never at night!
I've had people online act like I'm an idiot for getting into the uncivilized places I often go. Many people here in NW Florida won't go on the water unless it's a large body and in a large boat. They think I'm going to get attacked in my kayak.
So, what's your perception of the animals where you live? Do you think the people in your area feel the same?
I've encountered wild bears while hiking and wasn't scared. They were just black bears, tho. The smallest and most easily frightened bear.
️ -
Growing up rural gives one a healthy respect for animals. I once knew a banty rooster who was known to have killed 2 snakes and a hawk going after his hens. I saw that rooster chase grown men and I did not laugh. I would have run from that feathery violence too.
Those bastards have razors on their feet, so yea, I'd run too!
-
Moose can dive and swim under water. That means there is a non zero chance that you will be killed while scuba diving by a moose.
Lol, wow
-
That's my take on feral hogs, but mooses?! Did one bit your sister or something?
Mind you, moose bites can be pretty nasty.
-
Everyone just stays inside pretty much. As in... 99% of the population lives in a city and there just aren't any snakes.
There's a bunch of other reasons too though. Snakes are reclusive by nature. They're well camouflaged and easily hide themselves among leaves and bushes and plants on the ground. They actively avoid being seen by humans, they do not want an interaction with a human because it will always be a negative outcome, in that they can't eat a human.
You could walk 10km through the bush, be reasonably observant, walk within 2m of a dozen snakes, but not see a single one.
OTOH there's mountainbike trails where you'll encounter several in a day. You're moving quicker, and they can't feel your footfalls so don't have time to hide.
The thing is... 99% of the snakes I've encountered are deadly venomous. We have pythons but I never seem to see them. Here it's always Tiger snakes or Dugites which are both "stop moving and call an ambulance" type emergencies if you get bit.
Cam confirm. I (American) lived in NSW for a while and was way more outdoorsy than anyone I met there. I wasn't expecting everyone to be Steve Irwin or Paul Logan, but c'mon. To the point that when there were snakes in the back yard or spiders in the kitchen, I took care of them.
-
Moose can dive and swim under water. That means there is a non zero chance that you will be killed while scuba diving by a moose.
Moose is a good example of an animal that might kill you for looking at him funny in rutting season. Especially if you have a dog.
-
Thought everyone understood that wild animals can be dangerous, but mostly hide or run away.
Only laid eyes on a panther once. It had checked me out ahead of time, utterly ignored me. Only seen one gator that wasn't hauling ass away from my canoe or kayak. Saw a mama black bear with tiny babies galumphing along behind as she ran off. Went back the next day, couldn't see her, but I heard the warning! Water moccasins hiss and pitch a fit, run away. You'd have to be deaf and step on one. (I've come close!)
Then you got people like my wife. She went to meet me at the trail entrance the other night, saw a small animal cross the path, got spooked and ran back to her car. Daughter and I saw a roll of teenage armadillos, up close! My wife asked if they would attack us.
Wife's friend came over from England. She was choking down panic and the sun set on our camp in the swamp. I assured her that speaking in a normal tone of voice would scare anything away. Never been in wild woods and never at night!
I've had people online act like I'm an idiot for getting into the uncivilized places I often go. Many people here in NW Florida won't go on the water unless it's a large body and in a large boat. They think I'm going to get attacked in my kayak.
So, what's your perception of the animals where you live? Do you think the people in your area feel the same?
is it hungry? is it desperate? is it horny? does it feel threatened?
if yes, then they are a danger to me.
-
Thought everyone understood that wild animals can be dangerous, but mostly hide or run away.
Only laid eyes on a panther once. It had checked me out ahead of time, utterly ignored me. Only seen one gator that wasn't hauling ass away from my canoe or kayak. Saw a mama black bear with tiny babies galumphing along behind as she ran off. Went back the next day, couldn't see her, but I heard the warning! Water moccasins hiss and pitch a fit, run away. You'd have to be deaf and step on one. (I've come close!)
Then you got people like my wife. She went to meet me at the trail entrance the other night, saw a small animal cross the path, got spooked and ran back to her car. Daughter and I saw a roll of teenage armadillos, up close! My wife asked if they would attack us.
Wife's friend came over from England. She was choking down panic and the sun set on our camp in the swamp. I assured her that speaking in a normal tone of voice would scare anything away. Never been in wild woods and never at night!
I've had people online act like I'm an idiot for getting into the uncivilized places I often go. Many people here in NW Florida won't go on the water unless it's a large body and in a large boat. They think I'm going to get attacked in my kayak.
So, what's your perception of the animals where you live? Do you think the people in your area feel the same?
Most will run, some will attack if cornered. Walk along the wind and make human noises and you won't be bothered.
-
I hadn't seen fawn on there before either. I looked up fight/flight/freeze and saw I was out of date myself.
Now we know!
Solid addition to the "startle/scared" response. I've seen many animals do that thing, especially dogs. My tiny female boxer ran up on a tinier dog, it dropped, belly up, pissed itself.
-
I'm from Newfoundland. Moose were brought in to fill the gap left behind by reindeer after we hunted all of them. Problem is that moose do not fit that niche, they destroy it. They're way too big so none of the natural predators of this island are capable of taking them down. They wander out in the middle of highways and roads at night and cause hundreds of accidents per year. Due to their size, they also tend to kill the people in accidents with them. Everyone on this island has lost family to those fucking things.
Thanks! I had no idea. Here in the American South we're a little leery of random deer in the road, but that hardly compares to a moose!
Are they destructive to the environment as well? That is why I will kill any feral pig I see. Invasive and destructive.
I have a pet pig, let a wild pig in the yard with him. I have seen firsthand how much they can destroy and how fast. Had to shoot her. Hated it. Sad about it. Had to. And to anyone hating me for it, the authorities basically told me, "Your problem, do as you see fit." I called twice. One small reason I own guns. Well, and the bear that walked in the dog door, but that's another story.
Didn't shoot him! He got away, thank god! -
Thought everyone understood that wild animals can be dangerous, but mostly hide or run away.
Only laid eyes on a panther once. It had checked me out ahead of time, utterly ignored me. Only seen one gator that wasn't hauling ass away from my canoe or kayak. Saw a mama black bear with tiny babies galumphing along behind as she ran off. Went back the next day, couldn't see her, but I heard the warning! Water moccasins hiss and pitch a fit, run away. You'd have to be deaf and step on one. (I've come close!)
Then you got people like my wife. She went to meet me at the trail entrance the other night, saw a small animal cross the path, got spooked and ran back to her car. Daughter and I saw a roll of teenage armadillos, up close! My wife asked if they would attack us.
Wife's friend came over from England. She was choking down panic and the sun set on our camp in the swamp. I assured her that speaking in a normal tone of voice would scare anything away. Never been in wild woods and never at night!
I've had people online act like I'm an idiot for getting into the uncivilized places I often go. Many people here in NW Florida won't go on the water unless it's a large body and in a large boat. They think I'm going to get attacked in my kayak.
So, what's your perception of the animals where you live? Do you think the people in your area feel the same?
I like to study what animals are around before I'm in an unfamiliar habitat so I know what to expect. I'm not really afraid of any animals unless the situation calls for it. There's a number of potentially dangerous animals that live around here, all are incredibly unlikely to ever attack me. The risk of catching Lyme disease from a tick is what really concern me more than any wild animal I might encounter.
-
Thought everyone understood that wild animals can be dangerous, but mostly hide or run away.
Only laid eyes on a panther once. It had checked me out ahead of time, utterly ignored me. Only seen one gator that wasn't hauling ass away from my canoe or kayak. Saw a mama black bear with tiny babies galumphing along behind as she ran off. Went back the next day, couldn't see her, but I heard the warning! Water moccasins hiss and pitch a fit, run away. You'd have to be deaf and step on one. (I've come close!)
Then you got people like my wife. She went to meet me at the trail entrance the other night, saw a small animal cross the path, got spooked and ran back to her car. Daughter and I saw a roll of teenage armadillos, up close! My wife asked if they would attack us.
Wife's friend came over from England. She was choking down panic and the sun set on our camp in the swamp. I assured her that speaking in a normal tone of voice would scare anything away. Never been in wild woods and never at night!
I've had people online act like I'm an idiot for getting into the uncivilized places I often go. Many people here in NW Florida won't go on the water unless it's a large body and in a large boat. They think I'm going to get attacked in my kayak.
So, what's your perception of the animals where you live? Do you think the people in your area feel the same?
wrote last edited by [email protected]If the animal can physically hurt me, i will keep my distance. E.g. i don't mess with cows in a field, even though they are likely harmless. I usually have to cross fields when going to fishing spots. During the summer they are full of animals that could EASILY kill me by mistake. Therefore i keep my distance.
Smaller animals and bugs that i know aren't venomous don't bother me in the slightest.
-
I live in Australia
I find it hilarious how stupid Americans think everything here is trying to kill us constantly
Most people go their whole life never seeing a snake
Crocs are only in certain parts of the country, sharks aren't a problem unless you are really unlucky
Our spiders are fine
I live somewhere with wildlife all around me, and it's fantastic. There were three wallabies doing their thing where I was walking my dog yesterday and they're lovely
What about drop bears?
-
Thought everyone understood that wild animals can be dangerous, but mostly hide or run away.
Only laid eyes on a panther once. It had checked me out ahead of time, utterly ignored me. Only seen one gator that wasn't hauling ass away from my canoe or kayak. Saw a mama black bear with tiny babies galumphing along behind as she ran off. Went back the next day, couldn't see her, but I heard the warning! Water moccasins hiss and pitch a fit, run away. You'd have to be deaf and step on one. (I've come close!)
Then you got people like my wife. She went to meet me at the trail entrance the other night, saw a small animal cross the path, got spooked and ran back to her car. Daughter and I saw a roll of teenage armadillos, up close! My wife asked if they would attack us.
Wife's friend came over from England. She was choking down panic and the sun set on our camp in the swamp. I assured her that speaking in a normal tone of voice would scare anything away. Never been in wild woods and never at night!
I've had people online act like I'm an idiot for getting into the uncivilized places I often go. Many people here in NW Florida won't go on the water unless it's a large body and in a large boat. They think I'm going to get attacked in my kayak.
So, what's your perception of the animals where you live? Do you think the people in your area feel the same?
9 out of 10 if I leave them alone they will leave me alone.
-
Thought everyone understood that wild animals can be dangerous, but mostly hide or run away.
Only laid eyes on a panther once. It had checked me out ahead of time, utterly ignored me. Only seen one gator that wasn't hauling ass away from my canoe or kayak. Saw a mama black bear with tiny babies galumphing along behind as she ran off. Went back the next day, couldn't see her, but I heard the warning! Water moccasins hiss and pitch a fit, run away. You'd have to be deaf and step on one. (I've come close!)
Then you got people like my wife. She went to meet me at the trail entrance the other night, saw a small animal cross the path, got spooked and ran back to her car. Daughter and I saw a roll of teenage armadillos, up close! My wife asked if they would attack us.
Wife's friend came over from England. She was choking down panic and the sun set on our camp in the swamp. I assured her that speaking in a normal tone of voice would scare anything away. Never been in wild woods and never at night!
I've had people online act like I'm an idiot for getting into the uncivilized places I often go. Many people here in NW Florida won't go on the water unless it's a large body and in a large boat. They think I'm going to get attacked in my kayak.
So, what's your perception of the animals where you live? Do you think the people in your area feel the same?
Where I live they mostly mind their own business but from time to time I have to yell to scare away some wild boars just in case, luckily they aren't used to people and run away pretty easily.
-
Thanks! I had no idea. Here in the American South we're a little leery of random deer in the road, but that hardly compares to a moose!
Are they destructive to the environment as well? That is why I will kill any feral pig I see. Invasive and destructive.
I have a pet pig, let a wild pig in the yard with him. I have seen firsthand how much they can destroy and how fast. Had to shoot her. Hated it. Sad about it. Had to. And to anyone hating me for it, the authorities basically told me, "Your problem, do as you see fit." I called twice. One small reason I own guns. Well, and the bear that walked in the dog door, but that's another story.
Didn't shoot him! He got away, thank god!I haven't noticed them be any more destructive to the environment that humans are. We just have too many of them. They probably are. I would not be surprised if there's overpopulation and the size of them and everything else then it would make sense that there is some amount of ecological devastation. But I'm usually not in those areas. But the way I see it is that if there is no natural predator for this mistake that we brought to the island, then I will be the natural predator.
-
Thought everyone understood that wild animals can be dangerous, but mostly hide or run away.
Only laid eyes on a panther once. It had checked me out ahead of time, utterly ignored me. Only seen one gator that wasn't hauling ass away from my canoe or kayak. Saw a mama black bear with tiny babies galumphing along behind as she ran off. Went back the next day, couldn't see her, but I heard the warning! Water moccasins hiss and pitch a fit, run away. You'd have to be deaf and step on one. (I've come close!)
Then you got people like my wife. She went to meet me at the trail entrance the other night, saw a small animal cross the path, got spooked and ran back to her car. Daughter and I saw a roll of teenage armadillos, up close! My wife asked if they would attack us.
Wife's friend came over from England. She was choking down panic and the sun set on our camp in the swamp. I assured her that speaking in a normal tone of voice would scare anything away. Never been in wild woods and never at night!
I've had people online act like I'm an idiot for getting into the uncivilized places I often go. Many people here in NW Florida won't go on the water unless it's a large body and in a large boat. They think I'm going to get attacked in my kayak.
So, what's your perception of the animals where you live? Do you think the people in your area feel the same?
Im in the UK so basically every wild animal is scared of humans. (Edit : Except geese. Theyre fucking bullies)
If I was in "The Wild" though, like a jungle or Savannah, I would shit my pants 24/7
-
Im in the UK so basically every wild animal is scared of humans. (Edit : Except geese. Theyre fucking bullies)
If I was in "The Wild" though, like a jungle or Savannah, I would shit my pants 24/7
Came here to say this. Scariest encounter I had was earlier this year with a stag. He was standing on a footpath, it was dusk and he was shadow so I didn't see him until I was 5m away. I'm 1.9m and he was looking down at me. Had another 1m of antlers. Then my dog started barking and he just turned and walked away into the trees.
Same dog once tried to fight a pair of geese, she's similar size to them, they didn't back down.
