Deer: Are they Dangerous?

Around the world, deer are among the most popular game species for hunters, and since their populations are so large and they can be found in so many biomes, they remain the quarry of choice for those hunting with guns or bows.

This naturally leads to some consternation with animal lovers because deer are also considered charismatic wildlife.

They’re delicate, almost cautious, and are somehow adorable and regal at the same time.

But have you ever stopped to consider that the hunters might become the hunted? Is it possible that deer are dangerous to humans?

Yes, deer are dangerous because they cause hundreds of fatal car accidents every year. They’re also a menacce when on foot, and can inflict significant injuries by kicking or by goring with their antlers.

However you might feel about deer, and whatever interactions you have with them, you need to give these wild animals the respect that they sometimes lack.

They are large, athletic and powerful animals and more than capable of inflicting serious injuries on people, or even killing them.

Believe it or not, a couple of people die every single year due to close combat with these forest dwellers. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about dealing with deer below…

Deer Overview, Temperament and Habitat

Deer can be found all over North America, and most typically they reside in forested areas or plains and Meadows that border forests.

From the southernmost reaches of the United States all the way up to and through Canada, deer are among the most plentiful and successful indigenous wild animals, and various deer species are also plentiful elsewhere around the world…

And however much hunters might love them, deer don’t return the enmity; they are really only concerned with staying alive, finding enough food and finding a mate. That is really all there is to it.

And as it turns out, mating season actually affects many of our own interactions with deer.

When deer are sexually mature and mating season draws close, competition between males will begin, precipitated by the growing of large and impressive antlers that are coveted by trophy hunters of the world over.

These antlers are basically bone spikes and work accordingly in combat.

Because of the pressures of mating, territoriality increases greatly, and the bucks are absolutely surging with testosterone.

This naturally leads to them to fight with other males continually and also to protect their own territories, but this rise in aggression can also lead to them attacking people.

Even after mating season, your worries aren’t over. Although typically pictured as purely gentle and innocent creatures, does might fight viciously to protect their fawns, and they have attacked people likewise.

Just because deer are common does not mean they aren’t dangerous, and if you get too close to one you’ll find out the hard way.

Do Deer Protect Their Territory?

Yes. Male deer, or bucks, are particularly territorial. They are downright vigorous in protecting their territory during the rut, or mating season.

This can manifest in a variety of ways, from posturing and sparring to open combat with their antlers.

But even after the rut is over, deer may still protect their territory if they feel threatened by humans encroaching on it.

Deer are known to be illusive, almost shy, in their behavior when they sense the slightest thing wrong or out of place, but they do not always retreat!

Do Deer Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Yes, they do. During mating season, bucks can become quite aggressive when competing for mates.

This is especially true of mature adult males that have enjoyed long years of success and supremacy.

Younger bucks have more to prove, but often yield to older bucks still in their prime. In all cases, males that have antlers will use them to battle with other males in order to claim territory or a particular mate.

Do Deer Threaten People?

They can, though this is thankfully rare. A male that is fiercely territorial might see a person as an interloper and challenge them, or just act uncharacteristically aggressive toward anything it sees as a challenger or threat.

Those impressive antlers are not just for show! Likewise, a female protecting her babies might attack if she feels that they are in danger, and especially if surprised at close range.

In either case, the potential for injury is real and it should be taken seriously. In order to avoid any trouble with deer, it is best to give them plenty of space and not approach too closely.

It is also wise to make some noise if you are in an area with a lot of deer during the rut, so that they can hear you coming and, hopefully, avoid you.

Have There Been Recorded Deer Attacks on People?

Yes, quite a few, though they are few indeed if you remove “encounters” between people and deer as a result of automobile accidents.

There are around a dozen or so such encounters recorded yearly, and on average a little less than one death per year occurs as a result of direct interaction between people and deer.

What Will Trigger a Deer Attack on a Person?

As a rule, getting too close to any deer, or moving into the territory of an aggressive buck.

Every single year there are still a handful of deer attacks on humans that are on foot, usually as a direct consequence of hunting activity that sees people place themselves in relatively close proximity to a deer by choice.

In some other instances, people misguidedly try to feed or pet deer that might appear curious or friendly.

This is a mistake: deer have unpredictable reactions and should be left alone to go about their business in peace.

Deer that appear tame are almost certainly not, and some deer that seem friendly might be suffering from illness or injury that sees them act in ways counter to their typical behavior.

Again, these animals can and will react unpredictably.

Just How Strong is a Deer?

Surprisingly strong. Deer are amazingly athletic creatures, capable of running at speeds of up to 35 mph (56 kmh), jumping heights of over eight feet and distances of nearly 30 feet, along with being adept swimmers.

Their antlers, as already mentioned above, can cause serious injury if a deer was to thrash you with them, and deer are also known to deliver powerful kicks. If you come to grips with a deer, you will find it easily able to overpower you.

Can Deer Bite?

Yes, they can, though they do not rely on their teeth for defense in the same way as other animals do.

Deer can bite, but are only likely to if they are taking food from you, or if they have no other means of defense.

What Does a Deer Attack Look Like?

A deer that attacks a human will typically charge in, either with its head lowered and antlers roughly parallel to the ground, or by rearing up on its hind legs to head butt or “flog” a person with repeated front kicks.

It might also kick with its hind legs if it has an opportunity, lashing out with its sharp hooves.

Being repeatedly thrashed by the strong, sharp antlers of a deer will rapidly inflict both blunt and penetrating trauma, and kicks or swipes from an adult deer can easily break bones.

Again, people have died from tangling with a deer, and they are not to be taken lightly!

How Do You Respond to a Deer Attack?

The single best thing you can do is just to avoid getting close to the deer. If you notice any deer, and bucks especially, making coughing sounds and pawing at the ground, they are agitated.

Keep your distance, and in all cases keep something between you and the deer that will keep it from reaching you.

If the deer is charging, prepare to defend yourself, and take care to guard your head and neck especially. An antler tine to the throat or eye socket is going to put an end to you quickly!

Fight back if you can to prevent damage, and try to ward off the deer or else find an opportunity to make your escape.

Will a Deer Eat a Person?!

No. Deer are entirely herbivorous, and will not eat people, even dead people.

Can People Catch Diseases from Deer?

Yes. Deer carry a variety of germs that can infect people, and also several parasites that are problematic.

The most known and most distressing of these diseases is Lyme disease, itself actually transmitted by ticks that infest deer.

If you come into contact with deer or are just in deer country take care to avoid any ticks and check yourself thoroughly afterwards.

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Raccoons: Are they Dangerous?

There is hardly an animal out there that is more entertaining, and more charming, then the raccoon. Or rather, there are plenty charming as long as you aren’t the one enduring their attention!

Raccoons are notorious for breaking into garbage cans, outbuildings and sometimes even homes in their never-ending quest for food and nesting areas.

Amazingly intelligent, and capable of intricate and dexterous problem solving, raccoons can be one animal pest that is very difficult to control without resorting to lethal measures.

They can also get surprisingly big, and many of them are mean! This raises one obvious question: are raccoons dangerous to people?

Yes, raccoons are considered to be dangerous to people. A menace to our homes and animals alike, they can inflict a fairly significant bite and potentially carry the rabies virus.

They sure look cute and cuddly, and who can resist that black mask they have, but you’d be wise to leave raccoons well alone wherever you encounter them.

Even raccoons that hang out near cities and suburbs cannot be trusted and do behave unpredictably.

A good-natured handout might result in you getting a nasty bite with an accompanying infection. There is lots more to learn about raccoons, and particularly how they interact with people. I’ll tell you all about it down below.

Raccoon Overview, Temperament and Habitat

Raccoons are mammals that are native to North America. They are known for their distinctive black masks around their eyes and bushy tails with black and white rings.

Raccoons are typically found in forested areas, but they’re also quite common in urban and suburban environments.

This is because human activity and habitation provides raccoons with easy sources of food rather than true habitat loss.

Speaking of food, raccoons are omnivorous, eating animal and plant matter alike. They will also readily eat human and pet food that is left out or found in garbage cans.

Raccoons are primarily active during the night and they are quite agile, able to climb trees and swim adeptly. This makes them a particular nuisance in the wee hours of the morning!

Raccoons are also famous, or rather infamous, for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities.

They’ve been known to use tools, such as rocks, to help them access food, and they can open complex locks and latches or negotiate obstacle courses to get at food or shelter.

It’s the quest for the latter than commonly sees raccoons invade homes and other structures, since they are looking for nesting sites.

Female raccoons typically give birth to litters of 2-5 cubs, and they are protective of their young.

It’s common to see family units or tight-knit bands of females living together, though most sexually natural males stay solo unless mating.

Because raccoons are so bold, invasive and adaptive, this regularly brings them in to close contact with people, sometimes with unfortunate results!

Do Raccoons Protect Their Territory?

Generally no, though mother raccoons will ferociously try to protect her babies and nesting area.

This is one of the most common reasons raccoons wind up attacking people; humans try to displace or relocate the raccoons, and the captured critters go on the offensive!

Do Raccoons Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Yes. Male raccoons, particularly those who are not sexually mature yet, sometimes form bands to hunt and forage together.

They can act aggressively toward each other in areas of competition such as food supply. Female raccoons with young will also be very aggressive toward any male since males often engage in infanticide.

Do Raccoons Threaten People?

Yes, but usually only when people are encroaching on their nest or young, when the raccoon is trapped, cornered or injured, or when raccoons have gotten so bold that they have lost their fear of people.

The latter is especially likely for raccoons that reside fulltime in a neighborhood or city.

Have There Been Recorded Raccoon Attacks on People?

Yes, there have been. Although rare, it is believed that a couple dozen people each year might be attacked by a raccoon and bitten, not including incidents associated with professional pest control or wildlife removal.

Most of these attacks are due to encroachment, although rabies is not out of the question.

Luckily, there has only been one known case where a person has died as a result of a raccoon attack, and that was due to rabies.

What Will Trigger a Raccoon Attack on a Person?

Three things, generally speaking:

• a person has cornered a raccoon or posed a physical threat to the raccoon or its young. In these cases, the animal will lash out in defense, and might fight ferociously rather than abandoning its kits.
• the animal is trapped or injured. Raccoons don’t know that people might just be trying to help, and will attack out of fear.
• the raccoon has lost its fear of humans for one reason or another. The most common reason is due to living around and among people in a built-up area, and especially due to people feeding them.

This is dangerous behavior as it can make a raccoon unafraid of humans faster, and more likely to act aggressively if confronted or denied food.

Another possible reason for a raccoon’s loss of fear is rabies. Raccoons can carry this disease, though not as often as popularly thought.

They also die quickly once they are contagious, so the rabies threat from raccoons is minimal. However, if you are ever bitten by any raccoon it’s important to seek medical assistance and get tested at once.

Are Raccoons Strong?

Not really. Raccoons are strong enough to climb and scurry around, and strong enough to deliver a pretty mean bite, but physically they are not threatening compared to a human.

Can Raccoons Bite?

Yes, and they will when called for! Biting is a raccoon’s only meaningful way of defending itself. They are actually very capable biters, with teeth adapted to crushing and tearing food.

And this means they can be dangerous when provoked or cornered, though overall they are much more of a nuisance animal than a true threat.

What Does a Raccoon Attack Look Like?

A raccoon attack consists of a charge or sometimes a mock charge followed by biting any part of their foe that is within reach.

Raccoons are pretty quick on the ground, so if you’re unable to move quickly (say, because you are under a deck) then the raccoon will be on you before you can escape. They will then bite repeatedly and sometimes claw the target…

As always, be especially vigilant when you must get close to a raccoon, and double your caution if one is acting erratically since it might have rabies!

How Do You Respond to a Raccoon Attack?

The best defense is escape and evasion. If it’s possible, back away slowly, and avoid eye contact prior to the raccoon actually charging.

If impossible, protect yourself with whatever items you can put between you and the raccoon like a coat or a broomstick. Raccoons are not very big or strong, and easy to overpower with a sturdy shield or weapon.

In a worst-case scenario, you may need to stomp the raccoon to dispatch it. Don’t dry to grab it without sturdy gloves and gauntlets: they are wriggly, and have loose skin to help them avoid being snagged by predators, so the raccoon will be able to twist and go to work on your hands instead.

Do what you can to avoid being bitten, and get away when you can.

Will a Raccoon Eat a Person?!

Yes, if they found a dead body, anyway. No raccoon would be so crazed or desperate as to attack a human as food. But they are scavengers, and they do eat meat, so a raccoon will likely take a bite from your body if you perish.

Can People Catch Diseases from Raccoons?

Yes, and quite a few! The most severe and notorious is rabies, and raccoons do carry this virus.

But raccoons can also spread other parasites and illnesses like salmonella, roundworm, leptospirosis, canine distemper, and more.

So it’s important to take care when dealing with a raccoon as even contact without bites or scratches can leave you open to infection.

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Owls: Are they Dangerous?

All birds of prey are majestic. Whether it is a hawk, a falcon, an eagle or some other species there is just something about the image of a predator taking prey on the wing that stirs the spirit.

However, as capable as these birds are all of them play a distant second fiddle to the owl during hours of darkness.

Owls are supremely adapted to night-time hunting, with superb night vision. They even fly silently!

They also happen to have incredibly strong feet tipped by long talons and sharp beaks that are ideal for snipping meat off of their prey. Amazing birds, but pretty scary if we’re being honest! That begs the question: are owls dangerous?

No, owls aren’t usually dangerous to humans, although attacks do occur and injuries from larger species can be quite substantial. Most attacks on humans are provoked by people being in the owl’s territory or too close to its home tree or nest.

If you catch a glimpse of one of these amazing birds gliding silently through the nighttime sky, give thanks because it is quite a spectacle.

But, you should definitely be aware of what owls can do to you if you happen to inadvertently transgress on their territory or nesting site.

They could give you some nasty injuries! I will tell you everything you need to know about owls and their interactions with humans down below.

Owl Overview, Temperament and Habitat

There are many owl species in the world, and they can be found all over the globe in every kind of biome.

Owls are also highly variable in their size, with some being tiny and others, like the great horned owl, being absolutely massive.

As you probably already know, owls are predominantly nocturnal but it isn’t unheard of to see them moving around and even hunting during the day.

Generally speaking, most people are totally beneath the notice of owls unless they have reason to.

Owls generally want to hunt for food, sleep, find a mate, build a nest, and then raise their chicks and that’s pretty much it. If you don’t fit into that plan, they don’t care about you.

However, it is possible to antagonize owls into attacking, and attacks have rarely, though regularly, been recorded for at least the last century here in the United States.

This can be highly troubling and even cause for concern if you have an aggressive owl on your property.

All owls have razor-sharp talons on their powerful feet, and equally sharp beaks that are designed to dismantle meat from their prey, and they work just as well on defense…

Do Owls Protect Their Territory?

Yes. Owls are territorial concerning their nests. Generally speaking, an owl doesn’t really care if you are in their broader territory, because their nest is either tucked away in a safe place up in a tree or in a barn, or else securely secreted away underground.

If you can’t come close to the nest, an owl is unlikely to bother you though the longer you hang around the more likely it is that an owl will have a problem with you.

Do Owls Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Yes, they do. Owls don’t have a “live and let live” policy except as it concerns their mates and chicks.

Owls will readily threaten or attack strangers of their own or different species that come into their territory.

Do Owls Threaten People?

Yes, they do, at least sometimes. Owls will issue a threat display by hissing, making eye contact and dipping their head before fluffing up their wings and feathers to make them appear far larger than they already do.

In the case of the larger species of owl such as the great horned owl mentioned above this can make them appear truly immense! Anytime an owl is issuing such a display, watch out!

Have There Been Recorded Owl Attacks on People?

Yes, there have, including a few highly publicized ones. Since about 1900, there have been around 100 owl attacks recorded in the United States. This is a little less than one a year.

Out of all of these attacks, there was only one confirmed fatality, but many serious injuries.

Many victims suffered minor cuts and puncture wounds, but severe injuries in the form of lacerations, deep penetrating injuries, and even maiming to include the loss of eyes, ears and noses also occurred.

I’m not kidding folks: most owls are large and capable predators that can easily inflict substantial injuries on you if they attack you! Treat them with respect!

What Will Trigger an Owl Attack on a Person?

In all cases, except the most exceptional instances of rogue, hateful owls, attacks were provoked because people came too close to the owl or to its nest or area of habitation.

Unfortunately, much of the time this is inadvertent because owls tend to be quite stealthy and build their nests up on high perches in trees, on top of utility poles, in or on tall buildings, etc.

This typically leads to people being attacked with zero warning and zero indication by the aggressive owl. Considering how stealthy these birds are, most victims never see it coming!

Just How Strong is an Owl?

Very strong! Surprisingly strong, in fact. Owls are remarkably powerful, and pound for pound they tend to be even stronger than other birds of prey.

Many owls can exert tremendous pressure with their feet, and considering how long, strong and sharp their talons are this makes them devastating piercing weapons that can easily puncture you.

The same goes for the beak, which can neatly snip off pieces of your anatomy that they are able to lay hold of.

Sure, the owl itself is generally as light and delicate as most birds are, and if you’re able to actually come to grips with it you shouldn’t have much difficulty, but this is much easier said than done.

Can Owls Bite?

Absolutely, you had better believe it! Owls use their beaks to take apart prey and also when defending themselves.

What Does an Owl Attack Look Like?

Owl attacks look pretty much identical to the attacks of other birds of prey that are trying to fend off larger animals. They will flog, kick, scratch and bite.

As mentioned above, this will easily inflict substantial puncture wounds and lacerations, and even being flogged by the wings of a large owl might be enough to break smaller bones in your body, and will definitely inflict bruising.

This isn’t like a songbird pecking at you, or even an attack by a small parrot. An owl attack is very serious and can inflict dreadful injuries or even maim you!

How Do You Respond to an Owl Attack?

If you are attacked by an owl, your best option is escape. Protect your head, eyes, ears and neck as best you can and put as much distance between you and the owl as possible, preferably heading back the way you came as quickly as you can.

Once you get far enough away, the owl should break off.

However, if for whatever reason the owl is continuing the attack or is repeatedly attacking despite your attempts to withdraw, you should defend yourself.

A few good strikes from any sturdy object or, if required, even your fists and feet should be enough to severely injure and eventually kill the owl.

Will an Owl Eat a Person?!

Typically no. Owls eat meat, of course, but there are no recorded instances of an owl eating a person, even if they have found a person’s dead body.

It isn’t out of the question that an owl might scavenge some fresh meat from an equally fresh corpse, but it seems that human beings just aren’t on the menu for these magnificent predators.

Can People Catch Diseases from Owls?

Generally no. Owls are not known to carry any diseases that are routinely transmitted to people, but you should keep in mind that owls are meat eaters and will regularly be coming into contact with all sorts of dead animals.

This can naturally set the stage for secondary bacterial or parasitic infection if you should come into contact with the owl, and especially if it attacks you.

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Foxes: Are they Dangerous?

The fox is regarded as a trickster, a livestock predator and a symbol of cleverness and cunning in virtually every culture around the world where these animals are found.

That’s for good reason, and there are few wild animals that are as evasive as foxes. But as human settlements expand, foxes are seen in increasing numbers in many urban and suburban areas.

They continue to pray on small animals and pets, and this has plenty of people worried. Are foxes dangerous?

Foxes aren’t typically dangerous to people. Though foxes have long, sharp teeth and can inflict nasty bites, fox attacks on people are exceedingly rare and typically only occur if the animal is rabid, or if it was cornered or captured.

As troubling as a fox might be for your livestock and your pets, you hardly ever have to worry about a fox attacking an adult human being you should never, ever trust them around small children.

Foxes will only press an attack when truly desperate, when captured or when out of their mind because of the rabies virus.

Otherwise, you can bet on a fox running away every time. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about foxes and their potential interactions with people below.

Fox Overview, Temperament and Habitat

There are several species of foxes to be found all around the world, from the iconic red fox of North America to the tiny and peculiar bat-eared fox of Africa.

Although these foxes typically inhabit brushy areas and forests, they can be found virtually everywhere because they’re so adaptable and intelligent.

In the wild, foxes live alone or in small family or companion groups, and they include multiple generations.

Foxes spend pretty much all of their waking hours looking for food, and can be found hunting, foraging and investigating other sources of food at all times.

Unless you’re dealing with an urban or suburban fox, it is unlikely that you will see a fox before it sees you when out in the wilderness.

Foxes are cunning, and as soon as they get wind of something moving into their territory they will lay low or hide and observe from a covered position. If they have any suspicions whatsoever, they will slip away almost silently.

But it is this tendency for flight rather than fight that makes fox attacks on humans so very rare, thankfully!

Do Foxes Protect Their Territory?

Not really. Even in the case where you should blunder right into a fox’s territory it is all but certain that it will retreat.

Even in a case where you approach a den where fox kits are, their young, it is highly likely that the parents will evacuate the little ones to a secondary den or a previously selected safe area.

This isn’t to say you should try such a thing, because any cornered animal will try to protect its young, but outright aggression from foxes is exceedingly rare in all but the most exceptional cases.

Do Foxes Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Yes, they do, at least some of the time. Foxes will act aggressively towards strangers that are entering their territory, and they’re highly food possessive.

Most confrontations between foxes do not end in bloodshed, but fights are hardly unheard of.

Do Foxes Threaten People?

Very rarely, if ever. Most foxes that resort to attacking people do so for misguided reasons, sheer desperation or in case they have rabies and are mentally compromised.

Foxes will rarely spend much time posturing in any of these circumstances, and are likely to attack straight away.

Have There Been Recorded Fox Attacks on People?

Yes, but again these are quite rare, and usually only result from one of three circumstances. See next section…

What Will Trigger a Fox Attack on a Person?

Several things. The first is that the fox has been truly cornered or has been captured, in which case it will attack by biting.

Professional trappers run this risk all the time, as does anyone who inadvertently corners a fox under their own deck, porch or other structure around their home.

The second instance in which a fox might attack is a predatory one. It’s terrible to think about, but large, mature foxes (and red foxes in particular) have made passes at small children and pets, leading to injuries for both and occasionally for adult guardians who try to intervene.

The final instance in which a fox might attack a person is if it is rabid. The later stages of rabies will badly degrade a fox’s mental faculties and they will then act very out of character.

There was even a recorded video a couple of years ago that showed a woman being blindsided by a fox that attacked her in broad daylight when she was at the end of her driveway and the attack went on for some time:

Any fox that is acting suspiciously or is deliberately coming closer to people is an immediate red flag.

Just How Strong is a Fox?

Foxes are strong all right, about as strong as a dog of similar size. More than strong enough to inflict a severe bite injury.

Can Foxes Bite?

Yes, they can! Foxes are more than capable of biting, and they will readily bite when attacking or defending themselves. A fox’s teeth are its only means of defense aside from evasion.

What Does a Fox Attack Look Like?

Foxes attack by biting, and possibly scratching. That’s it. If a fox is attacking live prey, they will try to dispatch it and then carry it away to be broken down for consumption, or else they will stash it to be eaten at leisure, especially if they have kits back in the den.

Now, because of the rare nature of fox attacks, and their overwhelming tendency to run away rather than confront or fight, there is not a whole lot of data concerning true pre-attack behavior.

Most people know they are under attack from a fox when they actually get attacked, or if they see the fox attack a child or pet and then move to intervene.

How Do You Respond to a Fox Attack?

If a fox attacks you all you can do is fight back. If a fox is rabid it might be quite a fight, because chances are the animal will have no thoughts of self-preservation or retreat when so afflicted.

A fox that is cornered will likely bite and attack in order to buy itself an opening to escape. Any fox that is after a child or pet for food is likely to give up once a larger, meaner predator intervenes – that’s you!

However, for whatever reason if a fox does not give up the attack you must continually fight back until this fox is disabled or dead, or else try to reach a safe place they can keep the fox from getting to you. Easier said than done when a fox is chewing on your leg like a cob of corn!

Will a Fox Eat a Person?!

Yes, it will. Although it’s borderline unthinkable that any fox would attack a grown human being as prey, a fox will definitely eat a dead human body. They are partially scavengers and opportunists after all.

Also, keep in mind it is far more likely that a fox could go after a small child as prey, so never turn your back on a fox if you have your little ones around.

Keep a very close eye on them if you are in fox territory or any other area or foxes are known to be.

Can People Catch Diseases from Foxes?

Yes, they can, but the most concerning by far is rabies. Foxes are not the most common vectors of the rabies virus, but they are a significant one, more than dogs if that tells you anything.

Also, most alarmingly, rabid fox attacks have been on the rise in recent years.

This means you must keep a close eye on any foxes you see in the area and wash them for uncharacteristic behavior.

This is far more difficult than it used to be thanks to the preponderance of suburban and urban foxes that now live comfortably in human settlements.

These foxes are regularly seen active during the day, which is itself not uncharacteristic.

But, if you notice them acting very aggressive, or if they seem completely uninterested or unnoticing of anything going on around them, be cautious. Rabid foxes can attack with great swiftness and without warning, so be on guard.

If you have any close encounter with a fox, and definitely if you are bitten or scratched by one, you must seek medical attention immediately to rule out rabies.

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Black Bears: Are they Dangerous?

Out of all the bears that you might encounter in North America, it is the black bear, the smallest of the North American bears, that you are likely to run into. Black bears are crafty, curious, and commonly encountered in and around towns and homes when searching for food.

Although their antics can be amusing, we need to know if black bears are a risk to people. Are black bears dangerous?

Yes, black bears are quite dangerous and responsible for more attacks on humans than other bears. Although not as large as brown bears, they can still be massive, fast, and strong.

Black bears have a reputation for shyness and curiosity rather than sheer ferocity, but make no mistake: they weigh several hundred pounds, and have claws and teeth that can easily strip the bark from trees, and can do serious damage.

You’d be wise to treat black bears with the respect that they deserve. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about them, and how to stay on their good side, in this article…

Black Bear Overview, Temperament and Habitat

Black bears can be found across much of North America, and they’re quite common throughout the eastern half of the United States, particularly around the Appalachian Mountains.

Black bears, like pretty much all bear species, would much rather avoid people if given a chance and are only concerned with finding food, sleeping, mating and protecting their babies in the case of sows.

But, because black bears are so curious and so many compared to other bears, you’re far more likely to run into them in areas where their territory butts up against human settlements.

Black bears can be surprisingly bold, and they lose their fear of people quickly. This results in them routinely raiding dumpsters and trash cans, and even convenience marts and grocery stores to find easily-gotten food.

This, naturally, sets the stage for bad outcomes as far as people are concerned. A bear that is not afraid of humans and will willingly come close to groups of people is eventually going to result in an attack, and black bears are also more likely to attack people for food in extremis when out in the wild.

For both of these reasons, you must be alert to the presence of black bears in any areas where they are found, and have a response plan in mind for fighting them off if required.

Do Black Bears Protect Their Territory?

Yes, they can be. Black bears as a rule will retreat from people, but if close to a den area or with cubs, they can be surprisingly territorial.

When this happens, it’s common for a black bear to stand up on its hind legs or claw at the ground while making snuffing sounds and growling.

If you see this behavior, it’s time to go the other way, but don’t take your eyes off the bear!

Do Black Bears Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Yes, they can. Black bears will display territorial tendencies, act protective of food, ward off unwanted attention from suitors and generally keep all other bears at a distance when with cubs.

Do Black Bears Threaten People?

They can, though this is still unlikely. When confronted with people, particularly when in the wild, black bears typically prefer evasion to confrontation.

Assuming a person is not in the bear’s territory or threatening a mother with cubs, a black bear attack is most likely to result if the bear is starving or has not enjoyed a meal of mostly animal protein in some time.

Have There Been Recorded Black Bear Attacks on People?

Yes, many. Black bear attacks on people stretch back through the ages into distant history, and there are recorded attacks by black bears on people but European settlers and by the Indians alike.

In fact, you are far more likely to be attacked by a black bear than by a grizzly bear or polar bear in North America.

This is because black bear populations are much larger, they are more commonly found near human settlements, and also because they are significantly more likely to come into close contact with people voluntarily or otherwise.

What Will Trigger a Black Bear Attack on a Person?

Anything, including doing nothing, may trigger a black bear attack. Wild animals are unpredictable, and black bears are no different.

However, should you surprise a bear at a close distance, come too close to a mother bear that has cubs or encounter a bear that is starving, then an attack is highly likely.

Also, it is possible to trigger an attack simply by being in a black bear’s territory, or too close to their “inner territory” or nesting site.

This type of attack can certainly result without any warning at all, and for this reason it is best to stay on your toes and stay alert whenever you are in black bear territory, whether or not you are in town!

Just How Strong is a Black Bear?

Black bears are very strong, although we don’t exactly have testing protocols that we can conduct on wild or captive black bears to accurately gauge their strength.

However, we do know that black bears can easily haul their multi-hundred pound bodies straight up trees, rip bark off of trees like it is a plastic wrapper, and easily maul and dismember a human being.

Suffice it to say black bears are plenty strong enough to kill you with ease!

Can Black Bears Bite?

Yes, and they absolutely will bite! Black bears bite to process food, obviously, and also when on the attack or on defense.

They have large teeth designed for dealing with meat, and can produce immense bite pressure.

What Does a Black Bear Attack Look Like?

A black bear attack will sometimes, but not always, be preceded by a threatening posture and vocalization.

Watch for the bear to stand up straight on his hind legs, growl, bark, huff, puff and stomp or claw at the ground. This is an obvious message that the bear is preparing to attack.

If that doesn’t work, the bear will close in and slam into its antagonist or prey, swiping and tearing with its claws, biting, stomping and generally using its size and strength to its advantage.

Victims are typically eaten afterward if the bear is victorious.

How Do You React to a Black Bear Attack?

If the bear is engaging in a threat display, you only want to back off if the bear is at a considerable distance as this is usually a territorial response.

However, at a near distance you should not run away: instead, try to “get big.” Raise your arms over your head and gather with other people if they are nearby.

Make lots of noise, and swing and raise any objects that you have at hand to increase your visual profile.

In short, you want to look big, mean and terrifying. With just a little bit of luck, the black bear should decide that you are nothing worth messing with and disengage.

If that doesn’t work, be prepared to fight back with everything you have. Bear spray is almost always ideal to a charging bear, and most firearms are adequate to stop or repel a bear attack if you can land a good shot or two.

Whatever happens, be prepared to fight and don’t give up! Remember that a black bear will kill you and eat you as food, whereas some other bears will stop attacking you once they think you aren’t a threat.

Will a Black Bear Eat a Person?!

Absolutely, yes! Black bears are one species of bear that will eat you if they kill you for any reason, and a black bear is more likely than most to deliberately attack you as food.

Can People Catch Diseases from Black Bears?

Yes, though this is hardly an issue to worry about unless you’re in direct contact with a bear or eating bear meat.

Bears play host to the usual assortment of external parasites, including mites, ticks, and so forth, and they can also transmit canine distemper and a variety of other internal parasites.

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Mountain Lions: Are they Dangerous?

Every once in a while, you’ll hear someone talking about how they caught a glimpse of one of the United States’ most elusive inhabitants.

Preternaturally quiet, stealthy and extraordinary hunters, the mountain lion is the largest wild feline on the continent, and rarely encountered even in its natural range.

They are magnificent animals, no doubt about it, but are mountain lions dangerous?

Yes, mountain lions can be very dangerous. Mountain lions rarely approach humans and attack even more rarely, but these big cats are well-equipped with long fangs, sharp claws, and excellent ambush instincts.

Probably the spookiest thing about the mountain lion is that you wouldn’t necessarily even know it was around prior to an attack.

These big cats have an absolutely blood-chilling growl, but they are such stealthy and elusive predators that you might not know you are in trouble until it’s on top and clawing your guts out.

There’s a lot more you can and should know about mountain lions if you’re going to be anywhere in their territory, and I’ll tell you all about it below.

Mountain Lion Overview, Temperament and Habitat

Mountain lions are the largest wild felines in North America, and can be found here and there in pockets across the country, though they’re invariably found in wooded areas.

Mountain lions are true big cats in the tradition of the panther, and can weigh more than 210 pounds (95 kilos).

Even so, they’re highly stealthy and very reclusive, rarely preferring to attack or confront directly.

Typically, these felines live alone inside a vast territory that they claim as their own, and there are most often active when they have a major sensory advantage, typically during the night after dusk and all the way through dawn.

Every now and then you might spot a mountain lion on the hunt or traveling during the day. These big cats, like all cats, are apex predators armed for the task.

They have extraordinary senses of vision, hearing and smell, hooked claws that can open up flesh like a scalpel, and long, penetrating fangs inside powerful jaws that can exert tremendous pressure.

But these cats don’t prey on mice and little birds: Mountain lions are huge predators, and usually bring down deer and other similarly large mammals for food!

And when they do, you better watch out, because mountain lions are notoriously protective of their kills and their territory.

They might try to scare you away, or they might not. Be sure to keep an eye out for the markings they leave behind, typically shredded trees, and other vegetation along with pungent, nasty mounds of feces and urine markings.

Do Mountain Lions Protect Their Territory?

Yes, and aggressively. But, these cats can be mercurial they might be just as likely to observe you from a distance if you are passing through their territory as they are to confront you.

If you’re in an area where mountain lions are known to be relatively common, or have been known to frequent in the past, you must be on guard.

Do Mountain Lions Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Yes. Mountain lions are largely solitary animals, and also highly territorial towards one another. The only time you’re likely to see a couple of mountain lions together is if it is a mother with her kittens.

Males in particular have very short tempers for one another, and fights between males and females, even during mating season are common.

Do Mountain Lions Threaten People?

Usually no, but aggression has been displayed in the past and there are many verified stories of mountain lions stalking people for miles.

That is what makes them so particularly dangerous: a mountain lion is just as likely to follow you silently or set up an ambush along your path as it is to confront you and try to give you a scare.

Also, the age of the mountain lion makes a big difference. Much younger mountain lions, and juveniles in particular, are known to be bolder and more aggressive, attacking people and other animals more often and with greater abandon.

On a similar note, mountain lions that are too old, sick or injured to tackle their usual prey might go after people seeing them as something of an easier meal compared to a giant, antlered deer.

Have There Been Recorded Mountain Lion Attacks on People?

Yes, and for a very long time. Mountain lion attacks have been recorded as far back as when the settlers first came to America from Europe, and they have continued ever since.

Since attack incidents started being verified at the turn of the 20^th century, there have been more than 125 mountain lion attacks on people in the US, with 27 fatalities attributed to that period of time.

Historical attack numbers are likely to be quite higher, though there is significant uncertainty regarding some historically mentioned attacks.

These attacks are quite rare in the grand scheme of things, especially when compared to other land-bound predators like bears, but they do happen.

Thankfully, deaths are even rarer, but it is unsettling to know that mountain lion attacks have also been increasing sharply since the early 1990s. Always be on your guard in mountain lion country!

What Will Trigger a Mountain Lion Attack on a Person?

Coming into a male mountain lion’s territory is one way to trigger an attack, as is coming anywhere near a mother that has kittens, or coming into the territory of said mother.

Similarly, coming too close to any mountain lion, anywhere, for any reason usually results in a bad outcome if the cat does not retreat.

Mountain lions can also prove to be quite protective of their kills, so if you happen upon a carcass of any larger animal, double your caution.

Also, it must be said that mountain lions will, from time to time, pursue people deliberately as prey.

Many folks who have had close encounters with mountain lines reported a feeling of dread or being watched, in the daytime or in the dark prior to actually spotting the mountain lion or being attacked.

Just How Strong is a Mountain Lion?

Quite strong. Like all cats, mountain lions are highly athletic, and capable of some genuinely amazing feats of athleticism.

They can scale vertical surfaces faster than you can run, leap anywhere from 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters) while on the ground, and can jump straight up 20 feet (6 meters) or higher.

Also, their sheer strength means they can use their claws and teeth to devastating effect when bringing down a target, though they try not to make a messy fight out of things…

Their usual MO is to try and dispatch an animal quickly with one good bite to the back of the neck or the head, which kills or cripples instantly.

Can Mountain Lions Bite?

Absolutely! Mountain lions have a tremendously powerful bite and long, strong fangs that they use to deliver a killing strike to any animal they can bring down.

What Does a Mountain Lion Attack Look Like?

As mentioned above several times, mountain lions are supremely skilled ambush predators though full frontal attacks are not unheard of.

Generally, a mountain lion attack begins by leaping at or on top of the prey from a concealed position which might not be anywhere nearby since these cats can jump dozens of feet in a single bound.

Once they have tackled the prey, the cat will scramble for position and attempt to deliver one fatal bite to the back of the neck or the head of the targeted animal, including people, in order to snap the spinal cord and kill or cripple quickly.

They will also use their claws in a head-to-head fight, though these are primarily for hanging on to and manipulating prey in order to deliver the bite.

How Do You Respond to a Mountain Lion Attack?

If you’re lucky enough to spot the mountain line before it attacks, make eye contact with it, don’t crouch down, and keep moving, preferably away from the cat.

Make yourself look as big as possible. Bunch together with other people, and pick up your children if you have any with you, although you shouldn’t kneel down as previously mentioned.

Staying big, keeping eye contact, and staying on the move are likely to discourage a mountain lion from attacking. Remember, they do not want a head-to-head fight if they can avoid it…

If the attack cannot be discouraged or if you’re blindsided by an ambush, then fight back with absolutely everything that you have.

Most mountain lions will disengage when the targeted creature puts up a stiff fight. Use weapons if you can bring them to bear, but lacking that, grab a rock or even use your fists and attack the cat back.

Also, do everything you can to protect your head and neck because the mountain lion will be targeting them.

Will a Mountain Lion Eat a Person?!

Yes. Any mountain lion that kills a human being for any reason is highly likely to eat the body.

Mountain lions are also notorious for dragging away a kill over a long distance to stash it and eat it at leisure over the course of several days or weeks.

Can People Catch Diseases from Mountain Lions?

Yes, though these are obviously not your biggest concern if you are being attacked by one! The most worrying disease that mountain lions are known to carry is trichinosis, but they’re also hosts to a variety of internal and external parasites.

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Grizzly Bears: Are they Dangerous?

It’s hard to think of an animal that is more charismatic than the grizzly bear. Something about that big, pudgy body, those perfectly fuzzy round ears, inquisitive expression, and all of the antics that we see them get up to in various national parks that makes them undeniably charming.

However, something tells me that those good looks are probably concealing a bad attitude. What we need to know is this: are grizzly bears dangerous?

Yes, grizzly bears are very dangerous. Grizzly bears are huge, fast, and can tear a person limb from limb with ease. You should avoid grizzly bears at all costs, and always stay alert for them when in their territory.

This should not come as a surprise to anyone. As cute as they are, these bears are never cuddly. Luckily, grizzly bear attacks on people are quite rare but they can and do occur. When that happens, death is likely.

You’ll definitely want to steer clear of these massive and majestic bears anytime you are in or around their territory. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about them down below…

Grizzly Bear Overview, Temperament and Habitat

Grizzly bears are pretty rare throughout the United States, although they are significantly more common in parts of Alaska and Canada. In the continental US, they’re most commonly encountered in Montana.

Grizzly bears, despite their immense size, sometimes topping 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms), they tend to be cautious and careful as far as people are concerned.

The sight of people, or picking up their scent, is usually enough to send them running away towards safety.

Considering these bears are so skittish, how do they come into contact with people at all?

The answer, of course, is food. Grizzly bears are huge and have truly gargantuan calorie requirements.

These bears have a tremendous sense of smell that they use to sniff out any and all possible sources of food over a wide area.

People provide food for the bears via handouts at parks, hastily abandoned cookouts or picnics and, of course, the leaving of scraps and trash in the wild or in garbage cans and dumpsters.

Hunters, similarly, tend to have run-ins with grizzlies when they bring down another animal. In all cases, the stage is set for disaster when a grizzly is attracted to food and people are still nearby.

Do Grizzly Bears Protect Their Territory?

Somewhat. Grizzly bears aren’t as truly territorial as black bears, but they might have a home patch of ground they want to keep all to themselves.

In these cases, a grizzly bear might decide to stand and posture or mock charge instead of running away when encountering people.

Do Grizzly Bears Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Sometimes. Grizzly bears tend to get along, but scuffles over food, mating, and defensive behavior on account of cubs are all common.

Do Grizzly Bears Threaten People?

Yes, they do, although truly close encounters and attacks are rare. As a rule of thumb, once a grizzly bear detects a human being, it will run away.

However, aggression is hardly out of the question…

Have There Been Recorded Grizzly Bear Attacks on People?

Yes, many. There have been lots of recorded grizzly bear attacks on human beings stretching back to before the time of the settlers’ arrival in North America.

Those attacks continue today, although they are quite rare in comparison with bygone eras.

Each year in the US, there are about 12 brown bear attacks on people, and on average one attack per year is fatal.

Since the 1970s, there have been around 60 such attacks on humans by bears in the wild, and the vast majority have occurred in Alaska where most brown bears live, though Montana and Yellowstone National park in particular are also relative hotspots.

Your chances of being attacked by a brown bear in any circumstance are surprisingly low, but in historical and modern attacks alike commonly result in the death of the victim: grizzly bears are truly humongous, incredibly strong and well-equipped to take a human being apart piece by piece, and in brutal fashion.

Those who do survive are always maimed, and often crippled for life.

What Will Trigger a Grizzly Bear Attack on a Person?

As mentioned, grizzly bear attacks on human beings are rare, but they can and do occur.

Though these huge bears would much rather run away in mind their own business, if they’re surprised at close range, confronted while feeding, feel jealous over a nearby food source or if they have cubs with them then an attack is highly likely.

Just How Strong is a Grizzly Bear?

Stupendously strong. A scientific term, I know. In seriousness, there is no great way to precisely measure the strength of a grizzly bear, either one in the wild or in captivity, but modern estimates place their sheer brute physical strength at several times that of an extremely fit and mature man.

This is easily evidenced by watching the behavior of a grizzly bear in the wild…

They can rapidly excavate hard, rocky soil at a rate that would put heavy equipment to shame, rip branches and bark from trees (with no more effort than you would scratch your leg), and easily dismember large and sturdy animals when feeding.

Grizzly bears are no joke, folks, I promise you!

Can Grizzly Bears Bite?

Yes, they can and they will. One of the most immediately apparent features of a grizzly bear is its large set of jaws, lined with equally large, sturdy teeth that are designed for eating a variety of foods. Some of these foods include bucket-loads of meat and bones!

You are basically bones wrapped in meat, and that means that grizzly bears are perfectly designed to break you apart and eat you. Keep that in mind.

What Does a Grizzly Bear Attack Look Like?

Whatever the situation, a grizzly bear will invariably begin an attack by charging. Now, it is important to realize that sometimes this is a false charge, a bluff designed to get an antagonist or other bear to back off.

Other times, the charge is entirely real and the bear will slam into its target which is bad enough in itself, and it will follow up by swiping with his claws, biting, thrashing trampling and pressing the subject of its higher until it is well and truly dead, or at least convinced so.

Without getting too far off track into the gory details, you can leave those to your imagination, suffice it to say that victims of a grizzly bear attack are well and truly mauled: bones are broken, digits and limbs amputated, skulls are cracked, and much worse.

Many grizzly bear victims die during these attacks or immediately afterwards, and people who do survive are invariably maimed and plenty are crippled.

I can tell you in the strongest possible terms this is one animal you do not want to tangle with.

How Do You Respond to a Grizzly Bear Attack?

If you encounter a grizzly bear that is not running away, but it is not yet charging, you don’t want to treat it like a black bear and make a threat display of your own. This will definitely provoke an attack.

Instead, keep still, avoid eye contact and back away carefully, slowly and cautiously but do keep an eye on the bear in case it charges.

If you’ve got bear spray or a gun, it might save your life: Bear spray will regularly stop the charge of a grizzly bear, and a gun might prove to be your very best defense if it is sufficiently powerful and you can keep your nerves about you to land a shot.

If none of this works or if it just isn’t an option and the bear attacks, do not fight back. Do what you can to protect your head and your neck and endure the attack.

Don’t move: the vast majority of the time when the grizzly thinks you are no longer a threat it will leave you be.

Be doubly sure that the bear is gone before you get up and escape, assuming you can get up.

Will a Grizzly Bear Eat a Person?!

Yes, though this is uncommon. Typically, grizzly attacks on humans result from the bear being surprised at close range, being with cubs or protecting food.

Grizzlies typically don’t want to eat people, and though they will, an attack will only be prompted for that reason if the bear is starving.

Can People Catch Diseases from Grizzly Bears?

Yes, though this is highly unlikely unless you’re in direct contact with a grizzly or eating bear meat.

Grizzlies carry all sorts of internal and external parasites, namely a variety of worms internally and the usual fleas, ticks, and mites externally.

Grizzlies are also known vectors of canine distemper and various canine corona-viruses. So if, however it occurs, you are in close contact with a bear, make sure you wash up thoroughly afterward assuming you are in a state to do so.

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Koalas: Are they Dangerous?

Most people instinctively understand which wild animals are dangerous. Precious few people need to be told that a moose, bear, lion or snake can hurt you, and most folks only need to learn their lesson with bees or wasps once!

But not all animals are dangerous, and to make things even trickier some animals that don’t look dangerous are dangerous. You can’t afford to make any mistakes when you’re in the middle of a survival situation or just enjoying time in the great outdoors.

So how about cute, cuddly koalas? Are koalas dangerous?

Koalas aren’t particularly dangerous, but they can still hurt you, and hurt you pretty badly. They are unfriendly, even aggressive when in the wild, and they have large teeth and claws that can inflict injury. They’re surprisingly nasty animals, and carry diseases that people can catch.

I know it seems almost cruel that an animal so cute and so charismatic is actually something of a nasty little gremlin, but it’s true. You never want to get close to koalas in the wild, as they’re unpredictable and surprisingly mean.

Attacks on humans are very rare, but they do occur. I’ll tell you what you need to know about koalas and any potential danger they pose to people in the rest of this article…

Koala Overview, Temperament and Habitat

Koalas, sometimes called koala bears, are not bears at all, and don’t even have a similar diet to bears.

Unlike bears, which are omnivores, koalas are strict herbivores and subsist entirely on a diet of plant matter, primarily eucalyptus leaves taken from the trees of the eucalyptus forests where they typically dwell.

Koalas are usually not active during the day, and they tend to move around only slowly and cautiously at night.

Koalas spend much of their life, and most of their time, alone unless it is a mother with young or the annual joining of males and females for mating purposes.

Every once in a while, small bands of koalas might hang around together in friendly relationships. In any case, a koala is unlikely to show aggression unless people come too close.

You’ll be happy to know that the supposedly mythical ferocity of koalas, and their tendency to drop on the heads of people who pass under their trees, is a made-up urban legend that native Australians are entirely too happy to propagate.

Do Koalas Protect Their Territory?

Not usually. A koala that is run up a tree, with no other tree within easy reach, might become aggressive but as a rule they are not terribly territorial.

Do Koalas Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Yes, definitely. Most koalas don’t want anything to do with other koalas unless it’s a mother taking care of her young, or males courting females during mating season.

Even then, mating rituals between koalas are typically brutal. There’s plenty of combat, submission, injury, and mayhem.

At other times koalas are known to protect their preferred trees and sources of food from interlopers. As mentioned above, you generally will not see too many koalas hanging around together.

Do Koalas Threaten People?

Yes, although this is rare. Koalas might growl and make pseudo-barking sounds if people come too close, or if a mother is attempting to protect her young.

In almost all cases, koalas will only threaten people when people are encroaching on their territory or antagonizing them.

Have There Been Recorded Koala Attacks on People?

Yes, although these are very rare and fatalities virtually unheard of. Attacks have occurred as recently as the 2020s, though most of these resulted from people getting too close to koalas in the wild.

In a few instances, though, koalas that were injured or stranded either in the wild or in swimming pools attacked their rescuers in panic.

What Will Trigger a Koala Attack on a Person?

Getting too close to a koala in a tree or on the ground, especially when it has no other avenue of escape can provoke aggression.

Koalas have been videotaped going on the offensive when they’re pushed too far, charging toward people and slashing or biting their leg and latching on.

Another great way to get a koala enraged to violence is by antagonizing a mother with young, or messing with a young koala that has been separated from its mother.

Males are also highly aggressive and amped-up during mating season, and might fly off the handle for seemingly no reason at all.

Just How Strong is a Koala?

Koalas are stronger than you might think, although they lack the brute force that other, larger wild animals have.

Koalas can easily haul themselves and their babies straight up trees, and hang from branches, so they’ve got some muscle. That means they can easily hurt you with their claws or teeth.

Just because they look like lazy little sacks of fluffy fur doesn’t mean they can’t put the hurt on you!

Can Koalas Bite?

Yes, and they will! Although koalas eat nothing but plants and most of their teeth are optimized for the purpose, they have a set of larger frontal teeth that are basically incisors.

These teeth can easily inflict a nasty puncture wound, and in several recorded encounters between koalas and people the koalas have been shown to bite people and basically hang on.

That’s no good, and you definitely don’t want to risk a bite from one of these nasty little critters.

What Does a Koala Attack Look Like?

Koalas attack by charging and then clawing or biting. That’s all they can really do, and most victims that aren’t trying to reach out and touch them suffer wounds on their legs and lower extremities.

Contrary to the urban legend, koalas do not lurk out of sight in the treetops waiting for people to walk underneath them before dropping on top of them.

Fortunately, or I guess unfortunately if you love cryptids, the tale of the “drop bear” is just that: a tall tale.

How Do You Respond to a Koala Attack?

The very best thing you can do to respond to a koala attack is simply run away. Any human being that isn’t crippled is going to have an easy time getting away from a koala on the ground.

The only time they’ll be able to effectively outmaneuver a human being is if you were climbing through the treetops with them.

But, if for whatever reason, you’re unable to get away from a koala or it is already on you before you can react, use any object you have at hand to shield yourself from the animal and try to fend it off.

Use a branch, backpack, tent pole, or anything else and if necessary strike the koala in order to drive it off.

More importantly than anything, avoid being bitten by a koala. Bites from pretty much every wild animal are highly prone to infection, and koalas are shockingly nasty. More on that in a minute.

Will a Koala Eat a Person?!

No. If, for whatever reason a koala came upon a dead body or was, unbelievably, able to kill someone, it still wouldn’t eat you.

Koalas are strict herbivores, and they only eat plant matter, not meat.

Can People Catch Diseases from Koalas?

Yes, indeed they can. Koalas are surprisingly nasty animals, even compared to all of the many dirty creatures running around out in the wilderness.

In fact, koalas carry one surprising, but truly nasty disease that people already catch all the time – Chlamydia!

As gross as it sounds, it is true. Koalas give no outward signs of being symptomatic, but the vast majority of the koala population carries this germ.

And before you ask, yes, it is the same kind of Chlamydia as the STD you learned about back in sex ed.

And, before some of you ask, no, it is not contracted by sickos forcing themselves on these creatures: it is transmitted via simple contact and especially through injuries.

Koalas typically transmit Chlamydia through their urine, and since koalas aren’t very clean, you can assume they have urine on their bodies.

Any open wounds or sores on your skin will be highly vulnerable to infection from Chlamydia.

In all cases, if you have close contact with a koala in the wild, whether or not it actually bites or scratches you, you’ll want to visit a doctor pronto in order to get tested, and receive preventative treatment.

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Skunks: Are they Dangerous?

I don’t think it is any great assertion to say already that pretty much every single adult alive, at least in North America, knows what a skunk is and what it can do to you.

I also don’t think it’s any great stretch to say that there is no person on Earth who wants to be subjected to that hideous, gag-inducing odor of skunk spray.

That’s bad enough, it really is, case closed. But aside from the spray, can skunks hurt you? Are skunks actually dangerous?

Skunks aren’t truly dangerous to people. Their nasty spray is bad enough and can cause severe irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes, but this is temporary. It is possible for a skunk to bite you if it is cornered or handled, but this is an extremely rare occurrence.

It turns out that the number one thing that people worry about concerning skunks is pretty much the only thing you’ve got to worry about. Skunks are definitely unique animals, and their attitude about defense is equally unique.

Pretty much all a skunk will try to do in defense is spray, and you’d have to work pretty hard to get one to bite you. Even so, this is a possibility.

Keep reading and I’ll tell you more about skunks and their interactions with people below.

Skunk Overview, Temperament and Habitat

Skunks are a surprisingly common animal in North America. Although usually most active in hours of reduced light, particularly dusk and dawn, some individual skunks do show tendencies to remain active at night or in full daylight.

Most skunks are not gregarious, and tend to live by themselves unless it is a female raising her babies.

And skunks also have a territory, or home range, that they usually inhabit for the vast majority of their lives. For males this range is about 6 six square miles, although larger ranges are not uncommon.

Females tend to have smaller ranges than males. Skunks spend their time wandering their home range looking for food and often digging for it.

But, in any area where skunks are common it is equally common to see them wandering around, including right out into traffic.

This is because skunks have two things going against them: first, they have terrible eyesight.

They have a great sense of smell, and very good hearing, but horrendous eyesight and are usually completely unaware of anything that is farther away from them than 15 ft or so.

And second, most troubling for us, skunks move through the environment showing very little fear of predators, including people.

This is because skunks have very few predators that will consistently make a pass at them thanks to their secret weapon!

This means it is hardly uncommon to encounter a skunk at close range or even see one heading straight for your house or towards your pets.

Pets which are usually more than eager to investigate the skunk in kind – with disastrous results!

Do Skunks Protect Their Territory?

No. Skunks rarely show any territorial instincts, and are completely content to be left alone if some other animal is moving through their turf.

A skunk’s territory, or home range, is really just an area that it is comfortable in, one that it will inhabit for most of its life.

Do Skunks Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Sometimes. Skunks tend to be highly solitary, although females will sometimes den together during cold winter weather.

Skunks might issue challenges or try to run off interlopers, but most notably, skunks will never spray each other: the disgusting malodorant that is their “ace in the hole” weapon is reserved only for predators and genuine threats.

Do Skunks Threaten People?

Yes! Skunks will threaten people, and usually show an intricate defensive display prior to spraying.

Skunks will growl, stomp, hiss, and then elevate their tails in a bold, dramatic warning to any creature that might be foolish enough to push their luck.

If you see a skunk engaging in this behavior, it is time to get as far away as you can as quickly as you can unless you are in the mood for a really rough week!

Have There Been Recorded Skunk Attacks on People?

Yes, many! Dozens and dozens of people get sprayed by skunks each and every year in the United States, and many more get secondary contacts thanks to their pets or animals that either get sprayed themselves or trigger the skunk to spray and are too close to the event.

Skunk bites are not entirely unheard of, but extremely rare except in cases of the skunk being cornered or handled, or in the case of a rabid individual skunk.

What Will Trigger a Skunk Attack on a Person?

Skunks generally don’t want to mess with anyone, and they don’t want you to mess with them.

The one thing that will surely trigger a skunk attack is you being too close to the skunk, and startling it particularly.

That’s really all there is to it. Skunks that are afraid or feel threatened will posture in order to back you off, or sometimes they will spray immediately and ask questions later.

But because skunks have such horrendous eyesight, if you aren’t moving or making noise they might not even know you are there.

There are plenty of videos of skunks coming right up to people on trails and then moving on without spraying.

Just How Strong is a Skunk?

Skunks are not very strong in the grand scheme of the animal kingdom. They are strong enough to do a lot of digging and roam all over the place, and they do have fairly powerful jaws with sharp teeth that could give you a good bite.

Can Skunks Bite?

Yes, they sure can! Skunks tend not to bite, preferring to spray and then run. But if you were to lay hands on a skunk, corner it, or trap it then it is possible that they will bite you.

What Does a Skunk Attack Look Like?

A skunk “attack” is basically a comedy of errors, unless the skunk is rabid. It usually looks something like this: the skunk perceives a threat, or what it thinks is a threat, and then it will begin its elaborate threat display as described above, growling, hissing, stamping the feet, raising the tail, etc.

If you don’t back off immediately, the skunk will spray. Sometimes, a skunk gets startled and is a little quick on the trigger, aiming and spraying right away.

Note that skunks are surprisingly accurate, and can hit targets precisely out to 10 or 12 feet!

After this, the skunk will usually run, although they might hold their ground, depending upon it’s a nasty odor to drive off the attacker.

However, if a skunk is rabid it might be mindlessly aggressive, charging and attempting to bite and scratch.

How Do You Respond to a Skunk Attack?

There’s only one way to respond to a skunk attack, and that is by getting away as quickly as possible and preferably without startling the skunk. Getting sprayed is awful, but you’ll recover eventually.

However, if a skunk is charging you and trying to bite or scratch, you must assume that it is rabid, and should get away as quickly as you can.

If you can’t, shield yourself with any object you have handy and do everything you can to avoid being bitten.

Is There Anything that Works on Skunk Stink?

Let’s get real for a moment. Chances are if you have a bad interaction with a skunk it is going to result in you getting sprayed, not bitten.

When that happens, the following days, and maybe as long as a week or two, are going to be a nightmare of horrendous odors that will haunt you and your home like a ghost.

Is there anything that can be done to truly eliminate skunk smell?

I won’t get too off topic, but basically forget about all of those home remedies you’ve heard of, tomato juice, lemon juice, vinegar and the like.

They don’t work on people, and they don’t work on dogs. You’re very best bet is a commercially produced skunk odor eliminator, or else mix up a blend of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap.

A quart of hydrogen peroxide to a cup of baking soda and a couple of teaspoons of dish soap will make a paste that is surprisingly effective at eliminating skunk odor, although it will take multiple applications. This works on dogs, too!

Will a Skunk Eat a Person?!

No. Skunks are omnivores, and they do eat animal protein. A skunk isn’t going to attack you with the intention of eating you, although it isn’t out of the question that it might take a few nibbles off of a dead human body.

Can People Catch Diseases from Skunks?

Yes. And most importantly, skunks can carry rabies although they are not prolific carriers of rabies.

However, and a few specific regions skunks are actually the most commonly encountered rabid animal, so keep that in mind.

Rabid skunks are most common in California and a few places throughout the Midwest.

Remember, if you come into contact with a skunk that you think is rabid you must get checked out before the virus can truly take hold.

Seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten by any skunk. Rabies is treatable if caught early, but terminal and invariably fatal in later stages.

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Wild Boars: Are they Dangerous?

A growing concern in the United States, Europe and elsewhere in the world, wild boars are a known menace on farms and other agricultural installations.

They cause untold damage, and have resulted in the collapse of a local ecosystems. They eat a ton, root up all kinds of plants, reproduce quickly and have basically no natural predators.

Most containment and control efforts have turned out to be either only holding actions, or are simply losing against the porcine menace. These nasty creatures definitely look the part, but are they dangerous to people?

Yes, wild boars (feral pigs) are quite dangerous. Adults tend to be large, powerful and quite temperamental, and the males particularly have oversized teeth that they use to gore their targets. Most people that are attacked by wild boars come away with significant injuries.

Wild boars have become such a massive problem that many states and countries actually fund hunting expeditions for the purposes of eradication.

This naturally incentivizes many people to get closer to these animals, or at least close enough, for encounters to happen and that’s when things tend to go wrong.

But even those that don’t hunt them are encountering them more and more often in cities that border their habitats. There’s a lot more you’ll need to know about wild boars, and I’ll tell you about it down.

Wild Boar Overview, Temperament and Habitat

Wild boars, also known as feral pigs, are indigenous wild descendants of domestic pigs, or else are escaped domestic pigs that have turned back to their wild roots.

In some cases, they are hybrids resulting from a mingling of the two. They are found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Wild boars are well known for their strength, agility, intelligence, and toughness.

These pigs are omnivores and have a varied diet that includes roots, tubers, fruits, insects, small reptiles, and mammals.

This has led to their well-deserved reputation for crop destruction and ecosystem collapse. Wild boars are infamous for the damage they cause to crops, pasture lands, and forest habitats.

They’re also infamous for their aggressive behavior when threatened or approached, and will attack humans if they feel threatened or cornered.

This is especially concerning since the size of an adult wild boar can vary drastically; depending on the individual they can range from 90 to upwards of 700 pounds!

Adults also have tusks, which can be used as nasty weapons for defense and fighting.

Because wild boars can reproduce quickly, they’re becoming a major threat to agriculture, and also increasingly intruding into areas of human habitation, including cities.

This means that close encounters with humans are on the rise, and likely to stay that way for some time!

Do Wild Boars Protect Their Territory?

Yes. Wild boars are fiercely territorial and will defend their territories, which can range from 5 to 100 acres, with a great deal of aggression.

Though they might withdraw from contact, they may attack anyone or anything that enters their space, and are especially dangerous if they have young nearby.

Do Wild Boars Act Aggressively Toward Each Other?

Yes. Feral pigs are gregarious, generally, but they can be aggressive and territorial even with others not of their immediate group.

These animals are hierarchical and the strongest pig in a group will establish itself as the alpha, fighting off challengers to maintain dominance.

Fights between two boars can get quite violent, even during mating, so it’s wise to stay away from any such altercation.

Do Wild Boars Threaten People?

Yes, and they do so regularly in the wild or elsewhere. Wild boars are increasingly encroaching into urban and suburban areas bordering areas where they are plentiful, and it’s becoming more common for these animals to enter cities and towns looking for food.

Attacks that result from these meetings typically end in severe injuries for people.

Have There Been Recorded Wild Boar Attacks on People?

Yes, and sadly there have been many such attacks, provoked or not. There have been numerous reports of feral pig attacks on humans in the US, particularly in areas where feral pigs are prevalent.

Feral pigs are known to be particularly aggressive when they feel threatened or cornered, and can cause serious injury or death to humans in certain cases.

According to a study published in the Wilderness & Environmental Medicine journal, there were more than 660 reported wild pig attacks on humans between 1825 and 2012 in the US.

The majority of these attacks occurred in the southern states, particularly in Texas and Florida.

What Will Trigger a Wild Boar Attack on a Person?

Being in the pig’s territory, or being too close to the pig, or for no reason at all. Wild boars are very territorial and will attack to protect their space.

They can also be unpredictable and may even attack seemingly without provocation.

It’s best to stay well away from these animals if you encounter them in the wild, and be on guard in dense terrain since they are hard to spot until it is too late.

The above mentioned WEM study also found that most of the attacks occurred when humans were hunting, feeding, or trapping feral pigs.

Children and elderly individuals were found to be more vulnerable to feral pig attacks than young to middle-aged adults.

Just How Strong is a Wild Boar?

Extremely. These are stout, powerfully built animals. Many attacks result in significant injuries, such as deep cuts, puncture wounds, and broken bones. In some rare cases, feral pig attacks even resulted in fatalities.

Can Wild Boars Bite?

Yes, and they will, although their preferred attack is to gore with their larger, exposed teeth or “tusks” and slam into attackers.

What Does a Wild Boar Attack Look Like?

Wild boar attacks are invariably sudden, and in many cases unexpected. One way that wild boars can attack people is by charging at them head-on across open ground, using their speed, mass and sharp tusks to inflict injury.

This is a common offensive tactic among pigs, and is particularly dangerous if the boar is on the large side for obvious reasons.

Another way that wild boars can attack people is by bursting out of the brush or another concealed position with no warning when people draw too close. This may occur if the boar was startled from sleep or rest.

In addition, wild boars may counterattack humans who are hunting them, and this is a common occurrence when the boar has been injured, but not mortally, by gunfire, arrows or other weapons.

How Do You Respond to a Wild Boar Attack?

The single best thing you can do to protect yourself from a wild boar attack is simply to keep plenty of distance between yourself and the boar.

If you do encounter a wild boar, try to back away slowly, and don’t make any sudden moves that may scare or provoke it.

If you cannot avoid it, get in a car or building, or climb on top of something tall and sturdy to keep the hog from reaching you; they cannot climb well or jump very high.

If the pig charges you, use whatever means necessary to kill it or drive it off: weapons are your best bet, but you must be swift and sure on defense or else the pig will be on you.

Entangled fights with feral pigs lead to injuries for obvious reasons, but also from “friendly fire” from people trying to help and self-inflicted wounds from your own weapons.

Will a Wild Boar Eat a Person?!

Yes. Although they will not attack people as prey per se, unless starving, wild boars can and will eat people that they have killed in self-defense.

Any person killed and eaten by wild boars will likely have been attacked first and then dismembered after death.

Can People Catch Diseases from Wild Boars?

Yes, several. Wild pigs are known carried of several nasty bacterial and viral diseases, and a wide assortment of harmful parasites.

Trichinella and Toxoplasma gondi are two of the most common, and serious, diseases that feral hogs can transmit to people, and should not be taken lightly. Other nasty bugs include hepatitis and tuberculosis!

If you’re attacked by a wild boar, you must seek medical attention immediately, and it is best to stay far away from them in all cases.

If you are harvesting meat from a wild boar, make sure it is cooked thoroughly to prevent any potential contamination from harming you.

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