How to survive encounters with these 10 animals-ProgrammingStorm

Spend a lot of time outdoors and you’re spending a lot of time in the domain of the animals. Unless you are inordinately unlucky, though, you probably won’t be on the receiving end of a hungry lion upon stepping out your front door! Depending on where you live, however, your likelihood of being threatened by some of the animals on this list will likely go up. While arm-wrestling a shark might not happen to you tomorrow, potentially dangerous animals like snakes, bears, or even dogs live in all parts of the world. Learning how to react to these encounters might just save your life.

Here’s our list of 10 dangerous animals you may encounter, and the best ways to ensure your safety:

How to survive encounters with these 10 animals

1. Dogs

Dogs are Man’s Best Friend, but if you encounter a feral stray with no one around, you could very easily become threatened. Dogs react to movement , as it triggers a chase instinct. This means that you’re more susceptible if running, jogging, or on a bike. Like some of the other animals on this list, dogs are territorial, and if you tread on what they consider to be their property, they may act defensively. First and foremost, do not try to run. It’s almost a guarantee you will lose a race against a dog, and even trying will just trigger their natural instinct to give chase.

If you slow your pace, avoid eye contact, and then stand still (preferably with your side facing the dog, as you’ll look thinner and less threatening), you’re no longer as imposing to him. Next, try not to look or act afraid ; it’s not that dogs can ‘sense your fear’ as some people think – it’s that if they can get a rise out of you, they’ll be confident enough to keep pushing the attack. If you appear confident and in charge, the dog will reconsider attacking you, considering you too tough to mess with.

Distracting the dog is also a good bet – throw something away from you that the dog might consider a toy, or even just pretend to pick up and throw something. That way you’re taking the attention away from yourself. If you do get bitten, immediately rinse the bite area with cold water and wrap bandages around the open wound to stop the bleeding. Then see a doctor, even if you don’t think you need to; stray dogs can be rabid, and you may need shots.

2. Jellyfish

If you’re stung by a jellyfish, you’re due for a long period of discomfort. While there’s little way to prevent being stung (other than not venturing into the ocean), it’s a good idea to talk to lifeguards on duty before venturing in the water. They should be able to tell you how frequent jellyfish attacks have been lately. If you are stung, there’s an urban legend claiming that urinating on a burn will lessen the pain. This is not true.

Rather, salt water is actually the best thing for it . In all likelihood, you’re pretty close to salt water already! Avoid applying fresh water to the burn area, however, as it will actually make the situation worse. Lastly, you need a way to remove the jellyfish parts from your wound. Tweezers are best, but if you don’t have them, opt for a stick or even a seashell.

3. Snakes

Snakes may be the most dangerous animal on this list since they’re found all around the world and are very easily camouflaged. They are responsible for more than 100,000 deaths a year , but it’s largely because people don’t know how to act around them. The good news is that most snakes are not poisonous and 80% of bite incidents with snakes occur as a result of foolishly trying to catch them. Please don’t be that guy.

Stomping your feet will help as the vibrations in the ground will confuse the snake, while slowly stepping away from it. If you’ve been bitten, definitely don’t try to suck the poison out of the wound like they do in the movies; if you’re not a professional, you’ll likely end up ingesting the poison yourself. Instead, immediately call in an emergency . They’ll tell you to wash the bite with running water . Do so and if you know how to apply a tourniquet, do so and by the time you have it on, the ambulance will hopefully already be there.

4. Bees

Bees are dangerous because they can build a hive without you even knowing they did so. Most common in the spring and summer, keep your eye on wood crevices, low-hanging trees, old buildings, or abandoned cars as they are often good nesting grounds for these insects.

If you do find yourself near a bunch of bees DO NOT ATTACK THEM . Not only will it make them angry, but honeybees are in serious jeopardy of becoming extinct. Rather just run away from them, shake any baggy clothing to make sure they haven’t gotten trapped inside. Bees are also attracted to black, so try and wear white clothing if you’re going on walks through the meadows in spring or summer. And stay off that island from “The Wicker Man.”

5. Bears

Bear attacks are rare, but if you’re extremely unlucky they may still happen in some wooded areas. If you do encounter a bear, reading body language is vital to your survival. Do not try to run. First of all, you won’t be able to outrun it (bears can run up to 30 miles per hour), and second of all, it will only make you look like prey, similar to with the shark or lion.

It may be counter-intuitive, but your best bet is actually to play dead . Fall to the ground and curl into a ball, using your hands to cover your neck. The bear might try and play with your body for a little – it’ll be scary, but just let it. As long as it thinks you’re dead it won’t do any further harm.

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6. Sharks

If you watch Shark Week you might already know that out of 150 species of shark only 20 will actually attack humans . The odds are in your favor, as of all the animals on this list, it’s actually least likely that you’ll encounter a shark. If you do and if it’s one of the 20 species that attacks humans, even then they won’t acknowledge you unless they perceive you to be food.

To avoid seeming like food, do not bleed or urinate in the ocean , and you should remain out of their range of interest. Should you meet a shark face to face, don’t turn and swim away; you’ll just look like prey. Rather stay as motionless as you can , and if you are attacked aim for the shark’s eyes and gills, as they are the most sensitive areas.

7. Crocodiles (or alligators)

Alligators boast the strongest jaws of any animal on the planet. As the Crocodile Hunter exploited time and time again, however, that only accounts for when they’re biting down . If you can manage to keep their mouth closed, they won’t be able to get it open in the first place. Obviously, though, we hope it doesn’t come to you wrestling down an alligator!

Crocodiles (and lizards in general) are capable of extremely fast movement over very short distances, but they won’t be able to outrun you at length. They’re also not unable to consistently make sharp turns while pursuing, so running in a zigzag is a good way to keep them far away. If you’re swimming when you notice the crocodile, keep down the noise and movement as much as you can; splashing or shouting will just draw their attention.

8. Elephants

Elephants are generally friendly, but if a female elephant thinks you’re a danger to her young she can mess you up pretty bad. As with any animal on this list, reading body language is important – if the elephant has her ears pulled back and her trunk curled , she may try to trample you.

Running from an elephant is difficult given their massive size, so if it comes to it you’ll need to find something to put between the two of you , like a rock, log, or fence. Try and keep it between you and the angry elephant until she loses interest, grows tired, or help arrives.

9. Lions

As with sharks, maintaining eye contact is equally important when dealing with lions. Never turn your back on them. Remember that lions are essentially big cats , so if they perceive that they could get a sneak attack on you they’ll be enticed to try and do it. Like cats, lions also have a heightened fight or flight mechanism.

If you make yourself look big and loud , they’ll be confused and will generally want to avoid dealing with you. Lions (being cats) are also easily frightened by dogs. If you have a more vocal, protective dog with you, the lions won’t come close.

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10. Gorillas

While it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter a gorilla, accidents at the zoo could potentially happen. Gorillas are prideful creatures who are highly protective of their territory and their families. The best way to avoid confrontation with a gorilla is to play the obedient passive : Sit down to make yourself seem less large, and avoid eye contact and speak in a whisper to seem less of a challenge.

If the gorilla is provoked to hostility, however, do the same approach you did for the bear – drop, curl into a ball, and do not fight. Remember that gorillas are prideful and won’t attack someone who’s defenseless and weak.

Hopefully, this list will help you prepare should you find yourself in any of these scenarios. Be careful out there, and if there’s a chance you’ll run into a particular animal we covered, plan accordingly!

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