I know what you mean. I live in Florida and people always mention alligators. Truth is you can go a decade and never even see a gator. When you finally do, it’s probably in a zoo or something. I mean you do hear stories and it’s no surprise because you live in Florida. That’s where they are.
But Australia sounds like a whole nother level. I mean you guys have a venemous ant for crying out loud AND it’s aggressive. I mean the shear concentration of things that can kill you down there is off the charts. Crocs, box jellyfish, snakes, spiders even friggin kangaroos! Am I wrong?
Truth is you can go a decade and never even see a gator.
… How? I grew up near Orlando, and seeing a smaller alligator next to an apartment complex retention pond or just in a random lake was extremely common. The week I moved away from Florida, some kids was killed by an alligator in the lake I learned to water ski in, although people being killed by alligators is extremely uncommon, they’re generally pretty chill and don’t go after animals that are bigger than them.
Kids mess with those ants when they’re 5 and are fine. Sure it hurts but not really different to a bee.
The only one I’d say the average Australian has above average exposure to is jellyfish, assuming they go to the beach even semi regularly. But I mean, they just float around, they aren’t coming for you on the attack.
Spiders there’s only 2-3 anyone actually worries about, they’re rarely seen and even more rarely bite anyone. Same for snakes. You also won’t die even if you do get bit unless you can’t make it to a hospital/contact help for a very long time.
Crocodiles are barely a concern outside select areas (eg think whether the average American would be concerned about alligators at all).
Kangaroos can theoretically attack but generally want to keep to themselves. But also to give you an idea how much of a non issue they are there are zoos that don’t even have them in pens, they just roam around with the people.
Edit: one thing I probably didn’t make clear, the average Australian probably does see a high amount of spiders, what I meant is the average Australian doesn’t typically see the actually dangerous spiders. I’ve seen them maybe 2-3 times in almost 40 years.
Nobody mentions the bush flies that molest you. It’s not injurious, but bugs that are addicted to human sweat is just a super gross concept, and that’s the one you actually invented a hat to keep away.
But people regularly find bears in their yards and driveway. Lots of people open their doors in the morning and find a bear within meters from where they’re standing. And the vast majority of those encounters don’t end up with anyone getting hurt.
Source: live in BC, Canada, tons of bears around urban areas.
As long as it’s not Australia you’re probably safe
I am really not worried about my safety at all. Just curious.
But if you were in Australia, you SHOULD be worried about your safety with something like that on your ceiling
Nah here it would be a huntsman spider. Not dangerous at all
Are you sure? In Australia from what I’ve heard, I’m pretty sure it could bite through your skull and lay it’s eggs in there.
Apparently Australians feel the same about North Americans living around bears. Either way, you just learn to be cautious and mind your own business.
I know what you mean. I live in Florida and people always mention alligators. Truth is you can go a decade and never even see a gator. When you finally do, it’s probably in a zoo or something. I mean you do hear stories and it’s no surprise because you live in Florida. That’s where they are.
But Australia sounds like a whole nother level. I mean you guys have a venemous ant for crying out loud AND it’s aggressive. I mean the shear concentration of things that can kill you down there is off the charts. Crocs, box jellyfish, snakes, spiders even friggin kangaroos! Am I wrong?
… How? I grew up near Orlando, and seeing a smaller alligator next to an apartment complex retention pond or just in a random lake was extremely common. The week I moved away from Florida, some kids was killed by an alligator in the lake I learned to water ski in, although people being killed by alligators is extremely uncommon, they’re generally pretty chill and don’t go after animals that are bigger than them.
TIL. I thought you guys must just avoid lingering near shallow water bodies.
Kids mess with those ants when they’re 5 and are fine. Sure it hurts but not really different to a bee.
The only one I’d say the average Australian has above average exposure to is jellyfish, assuming they go to the beach even semi regularly. But I mean, they just float around, they aren’t coming for you on the attack.
Spiders there’s only 2-3 anyone actually worries about, they’re rarely seen and even more rarely bite anyone. Same for snakes. You also won’t die even if you do get bit unless you can’t make it to a hospital/contact help for a very long time.
Crocodiles are barely a concern outside select areas (eg think whether the average American would be concerned about alligators at all).
Kangaroos can theoretically attack but generally want to keep to themselves. But also to give you an idea how much of a non issue they are there are zoos that don’t even have them in pens, they just roam around with the people.
Edit: one thing I probably didn’t make clear, the average Australian probably does see a high amount of spiders, what I meant is the average Australian doesn’t typically see the actually dangerous spiders. I’ve seen them maybe 2-3 times in almost 40 years.
Nobody mentions the bush flies that molest you. It’s not injurious, but bugs that are addicted to human sweat is just a super gross concept, and that’s the one you actually invented a hat to keep away.
I’ve never had a bear move into my house or take up residence in one of my boots.
But people regularly find bears in their yards and driveway. Lots of people open their doors in the morning and find a bear within meters from where they’re standing. And the vast majority of those encounters don’t end up with anyone getting hurt.
Source: live in BC, Canada, tons of bears around urban areas.
Yep. And if for whatever reason you do have a problem with a bear out in the open, it’s a bit harder to escape than a spider or snake.
Source: Knew a guy growing up who got eaten by a bear.
(Although moose actually scare me a lot more, since they’re territorial as opposed to just wanting your pic-i-nic basket 99.9% of the time)