Welcome to Australia

[1.21GW]

Reading about redbacks on wikpedia.  Found this:

"Historically, victims were often bitten on the genitalia, though this phenomenon disappeared as outhouses were superseded by plumbed indoor toilets."

Yikes! Yet another reason to be thankful for indoor plumbing.

[koko64]

While we have plenty of Red Backs down here in Melbourne, I'm glad we don't have the Sydney Funnel Web spider, the most venomous in the world.

Putting it in perspective, we don't have Grizzly Bears, Moose or Mountain Lions.

[1.21GW]

I'd take big loud & ferocious over tiny stealthy & deadly every time.  Up here, we generally don't find cougars popping out from behind a dusty ol' box of DVDs in the garage.

If I lived in Australia I'd never reach behind anything ever.

[koko64]

 

[Howie]

While we have plenty of Red Backs down here in Melbourne, I'm glad we don't have the Sydney Funnel Web spider, the most venomous in the world.

Putting it in perspective, we don't have Grizzly Bears, Moose or Mountain Lions.

Never came across these critters in the Bronx, well, we do have grizzly bears at the zoo.

[Blackout]

I read those funnel web spiders can bite through a finger nail.

[koko64]

Very prominent fangs and a mean looking spider.

Lately there have been quite a few shark attacks. It's been a bad summer for shark attacks, drownings and boat accidents.

[Stella]

  IMG_2235 by Tony Kokonis, on Flickr 

Eff no!  And this is the one that's visible. 

My skin is crawling.

[koko64]

https://www.facebook.com/reel/615202967327421?mibextid=VqkefZtyiaKY4pB6

[Monsterlover]

I read those funnel web spiders can bite through a finger nail.

What

[Howie]

Your kangaroos are going to mixed martial arts school?

[1.21GW]

https://www.facebook.com/reel/615202967327421?mibextid=VqkefZtyiaKY4pB6

Ok, so then what is generally accepted Aussie wisdom when a kangaroo is approaching?  Run?  Stand still?  Curl in a ball?  Fight back?

If you live near grizzlies in USA/Canada there are best practices (don't run, try to look big, if it attacks then curl up and protect your head, etc.).  I'm not sure how effective they are, but that's what the park rangers tell you.

[ungeheuer]

Ok, so then what is generally accepted Aussie wisdom when a kangaroo is approaching?  Run?  Stand still?  Curl in a ball?  Fight back?

I mean.... I've been in the proximity of 'roos (but much more often wallabies) and never once felt threatened.  Approaching kangaroo?  Do nothing.  I wouldn't run nor turn my back on the animal.  Fight back, no way.  You can't outrun a 'roo.  You certainly can't outfight a 'roo (if it feels like it, it'll have you dismembered with one lunge of it's back legs before you even realise that's your insides spilled on the ground).  Also "fight back" suggests that you've been met with aggression or attacked... but mostly they're just curious or interested in any food you might have.  If you have food might be a good idea to not have a debate as to who's food it is now... 

[koko64]

Goannas have been dangerous in some parks, eg Croajingalong National Park. Very aggressive and intrusive around campsites, using standover tactics to get food. Had to sleep in the car with all the gear and rations. These were bigger and bolder than the ones from my home town and around two metres long. Snakes don't worry me but these things were nasty. Two metre monitor lizards

When I was 19-20, my mates were camping in Garriwerd National Park and drinking. One mate was hammered and drinking with the adolescent Kangaroos giving them beers. We warned him not to as it could make them ill. He was corrupting the youngsters. The roos at this park were used to people and he was sitting with them sharing beer and didn't believe us when warned of the dominant male approaching from behind.  Dad Roo tapped him on the shoulder and we ran for it.  One of the funniest memories of my foolish youth .

Fortunately he was sitting with the young roos and I reckon he would have copped a kick if he was standing over them.

[koko64]

Your kangaroos are going to mixed martial arts school?

More Muay Thai.