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?

  • sunflowercowboy@feddit.orgEnglish
    1·
    18 hours ago

    Let me modify a quote, “To believe all animals harmless would be folly. To believe none so, is something worse.”

    All manner of creature is variable. That which hungers shall attempt to hunt justly, that which starves shall hunt foolishly. This is to mean the threat is that which has to make drastic decisions.

    That which is comfortably fearful shall let the traveler pass. That which is burdened by doubt, fear, and pain shall doubt the traveler. This is to say, the temperament of their emotions impacts the behavior. Those at a loss to something else will lash out to feel a fleeting sense of control.

    All animals are capable of harm, however the animal of the wilds know it is better to let beasts slumber and pick your fights. Another day shall be won if you act without unbridled necessity, haste, or pride. The insect that stings is the insect that is killed, the lion who eats man is the lion that is hunted.

    It is the comfort of living unencumbered that makes the creature insidious. Social living and the security that makes one desire more than what they have.