Surviving Encounters with Dangerous Wild Animals (Part II)
09-21-2015
Author: Blog Editor in Outdoor Adventures 101
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If you spend a good amount of time out in the wilderness, like wilderness camping, hiking or RVing, you’re probably worried about what will happen if you come across a rattlesnake, a pack of wolves, or suffer a bite from a black widow spider. Have no fear! One of the most recent entries to Outdoor Adventures 101 on MobileRVing covers information that you need to know about each of those beasties. But now let’s talk about some of the deadliest animals in North America: lions and alligators and bears.
The Basics of a Mountain Lion Encounter
Just like the advice I gave about wolves in Part I, you should also never run from a mountain lion (cougar/puma), as they can hit speeds of up to 50 mph. When it comes to mountain lion attacks, though, it is important to get big, make eye contact, shout and fight back as hard as you can. Mountain lions can get up to 300 lbs., but are not interested in a struggle and will back down if challenged hard enough.
If you live in an area that has a high presence of these massive house cats, it is a good idea to be on high alert at dusk and at dawn, as they are more likely to attack at those hours. Keep an eye on children, especially, and keep your pets close or your animals locked away somewhere.
Swamp Encounters (and not with the Swamp Thing)
The first question when it comes to these remnants of the dinosaur era is generally “where do alligators live?” Next is: wait, where do crocodiles live? Alligators are natives of the rivers and swamps of the Southern United states, stretching from Texas to North Carolina. Crocodiles, on the other hand, can only be found in tropical environments such as Puerto Rico or south Florida.
Pro-tip about surviving encounters with these guys? Don’t get into an encounter with one. If you do and you’re on land, you should definitely run, as most adult humans can outpace an alligator. If you don’t have the choice to run or are in the water, strike the eyes, the head, or the valve in their throats (hopefully you won’t have to do this) that prevents water from choking them.
Good avoidance strategies are to stay on paths and be aware of bodies of water where crocs or gators live. Keep children and dogs away from such bodies of water, never approach a nest of eggs, and never ever attempt to feed alligators or crocodiles. Lastly, be aware of alligator mating seasons, as they are more volatile during such times. For the United States, breeding generally occurs in May and June, which is different than other areas of the world.
The Royalty of Dangerous Wild Animals: Bears
Everyone wants to know what to do about bears, and for good reason. Well, no beating around the bush; surviving a bear attack is 100% about being prepared, chiefly by carrying bear pepper spray. Bear spray is over 98% effective, contrasted with the 76% success rate of firearms, and should be carried whenever you’re in bear territory.
For all kinds of bears you should never run, as even the smallest bear can run at least 30 mph. Black bears, which can also be a lighter blonde, should be fought, much the same as mountain lions. Grizzlies, a type of brown bear recognizable by a hump of muscle on their shoulders, should never be fought as they are very territorial and will not back down.
If you encounter a grizzly bear and do not have bear spray, you should immediately lower your eyes and back away. If it attacks, drop to the ground, cover your head and neck, and play dead. Even if it stops knocking you around, you should “stay dead” as they will often wait to make sure that their victims are actually down for the count.
Lastly, if you’re an arctic dweller/plan on visiting any time soon, take a look at “What Scientists Say” about polar bear attacks.
As a parting tip, remember that dangerous wild animals don’t always have to be big, scary, or full of venom. Statistically, deer are the most dangerous animals in the United States as they caused an average of over 25,000 car crashes in both 2001 and 2002. So pay attention to DEER XING signs, drive slowly, and keep your seatbelt buckled!
And even simpler, always remember that wild animals are just that: wild. They should always be admired from a distance, because even the smallest of squirrels, raccoons, bats, etc. can lash out, rabid or not. Get informed and stay smart, and you’ll be able to survive even the most deadly of animals out there on the prowl.
Photo Credit: David Lim
The Basics of a Mountain Lion Encounter
Just like the advice I gave about wolves in Part I, you should also never run from a mountain lion (cougar/puma), as they can hit speeds of up to 50 mph. When it comes to mountain lion attacks, though, it is important to get big, make eye contact, shout and fight back as hard as you can. Mountain lions can get up to 300 lbs., but are not interested in a struggle and will back down if challenged hard enough.
If you live in an area that has a high presence of these massive house cats, it is a good idea to be on high alert at dusk and at dawn, as they are more likely to attack at those hours. Keep an eye on children, especially, and keep your pets close or your animals locked away somewhere.
Swamp Encounters (and not with the Swamp Thing)
The first question when it comes to these remnants of the dinosaur era is generally “where do alligators live?” Next is: wait, where do crocodiles live? Alligators are natives of the rivers and swamps of the Southern United states, stretching from Texas to North Carolina. Crocodiles, on the other hand, can only be found in tropical environments such as Puerto Rico or south Florida.
Pro-tip about surviving encounters with these guys? Don’t get into an encounter with one. If you do and you’re on land, you should definitely run, as most adult humans can outpace an alligator. If you don’t have the choice to run or are in the water, strike the eyes, the head, or the valve in their throats (hopefully you won’t have to do this) that prevents water from choking them.
Good avoidance strategies are to stay on paths and be aware of bodies of water where crocs or gators live. Keep children and dogs away from such bodies of water, never approach a nest of eggs, and never ever attempt to feed alligators or crocodiles. Lastly, be aware of alligator mating seasons, as they are more volatile during such times. For the United States, breeding generally occurs in May and June, which is different than other areas of the world.
The Royalty of Dangerous Wild Animals: Bears
Everyone wants to know what to do about bears, and for good reason. Well, no beating around the bush; surviving a bear attack is 100% about being prepared, chiefly by carrying bear pepper spray. Bear spray is over 98% effective, contrasted with the 76% success rate of firearms, and should be carried whenever you’re in bear territory.
For all kinds of bears you should never run, as even the smallest bear can run at least 30 mph. Black bears, which can also be a lighter blonde, should be fought, much the same as mountain lions. Grizzlies, a type of brown bear recognizable by a hump of muscle on their shoulders, should never be fought as they are very territorial and will not back down.
If you encounter a grizzly bear and do not have bear spray, you should immediately lower your eyes and back away. If it attacks, drop to the ground, cover your head and neck, and play dead. Even if it stops knocking you around, you should “stay dead” as they will often wait to make sure that their victims are actually down for the count.
Lastly, if you’re an arctic dweller/plan on visiting any time soon, take a look at “What Scientists Say” about polar bear attacks.
As a parting tip, remember that dangerous wild animals don’t always have to be big, scary, or full of venom. Statistically, deer are the most dangerous animals in the United States as they caused an average of over 25,000 car crashes in both 2001 and 2002. So pay attention to DEER XING signs, drive slowly, and keep your seatbelt buckled!
And even simpler, always remember that wild animals are just that: wild. They should always be admired from a distance, because even the smallest of squirrels, raccoons, bats, etc. can lash out, rabid or not. Get informed and stay smart, and you’ll be able to survive even the most deadly of animals out there on the prowl.
You might also like these related articles!
- Surviving Encounters with Dangerous Wild Animals (Part 1)
- Heat, Altitude Sickness Signs & Treatment for You & Your Pet
- All You Need to Know About Wild Camping with a Motorhome
Photo Credit: David Lim
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