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

46 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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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[–] Stamets@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago (1 children)

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.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

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!

[–] Stamets@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

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.