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How do you perceive wild animals? Do you think they will hunt or attack you? Utterly harmless? In between? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 days ago by shalafi@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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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?

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[–] ouRKaoS@lemmy.today 1 points 1 day ago

I'm in an urban Midwest area & most of the "scary" wildlife stays away. The raccoons are probably the most "dangerous" common thing I see, and they usually run off at loud noises, unless they're drunk.

I've seen coyotes, but never closer than about 20 yards or so, and at that range they are usually running away.

Deer are skittish, and mostly only dangerous jumping in front of your car.

The one encounter I had that I was actually afraid was trying to get an 18 inch wide snapping turtle out of the street. A big stick & a ratchet strap accomplished that with no one getting hurt.