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Feral Pigs and Javelinas
Native to the American Southwest, Javelinas are peccaries, not pigs, sometimes run in packs, and are some of the meanest critters you might encounter in the American wild. Fortunately, you won't encounter them very often. Although I've never had the pleasure to meet a javelina, I've been told that they are very reluctant to leave if they've treed a human, and if you've taken refuge you'd better choose a tree that's comfortable and tall enough to get you totally out of reach. If they can get at you even with their tongues they'll rasp away at whatever is in range. It sounds like an urban legend gone country, and I've never read of an actual death involving javelinas, or razorback hogs in the Ozarks, or wild pigs in the Everglades.
Naturalizing with ease in the Americas, the European pig is now well established as a wild animal in this country. Anyone who has worked with hogs knows how intelligent they are and how difficult they can be. A wild hog has curled tusks like knife blades that extend a few inches outside the sides of the mouth, and even if it isn't out to cripple you it may do exactly that if it charges in a panic and you're in the way. I'd expect most hogs to actually try and do damage.
Add to that the sheer size and weight of the animal, a couple of hundred pounds of fat and muscle moving fast and low, and this is not something you want to stand in front of if it wants to move. Fortunately, hogs are about as smart as people, and are well able to stay out of our way. They prefer wet areas and warm climates. Most people won't try to camp in a hog wallow, so encounters are not common.
If you do blunder into a group of javelinas, make a lot of noise. Don't act like you're harmless--peccaries are bad tempered, so much so that they cannot be domesticated. If you appear to be meaner than they are, they'll leave you alone.
Razorback hogs have milder dispositions, but definitely not sunny ones. These animals are very alert and prefer no contact with humans. Give them an out and they'll take it. Don't block their escape route, because they'll go right through you if need be.
Native to the American Southwest, Javelinas are peccaries, not pigs, sometimes run in packs, and are some of the meanest critters you might encounter in the American wild. Fortunately, you won't encounter them very often. Although I've never had the pleasure to meet a javelina, I've been told that they are very reluctant to leave if they've treed a human, and if you've taken refuge you'd better choose a tree that's comfortable and tall enough to get you totally out of reach. If they can get at you even with their tongues they'll rasp away at whatever is in range. It sounds like an urban legend gone country, and I've never read of an actual death involving javelinas, or razorback hogs in the Ozarks, or wild pigs in the Everglades.
Naturalizing with ease in the Americas, the European pig is now well established as a wild animal in this country. Anyone who has worked with hogs knows how intelligent they are and how difficult they can be. A wild hog has curled tusks like knife blades that extend a few inches outside the sides of the mouth, and even if it isn't out to cripple you it may do exactly that if it charges in a panic and you're in the way. I'd expect most hogs to actually try and do damage.
Add to that the sheer size and weight of the animal, a couple of hundred pounds of fat and muscle moving fast and low, and this is not something you want to stand in front of if it wants to move. Fortunately, hogs are about as smart as people, and are well able to stay out of our way. They prefer wet areas and warm climates. Most people won't try to camp in a hog wallow, so encounters are not common.
If you do blunder into a group of javelinas, make a lot of noise. Don't act like you're harmless--peccaries are bad tempered, so much so that they cannot be domesticated. If you appear to be meaner than they are, they'll leave you alone.
Razorback hogs have milder dispositions, but definitely not sunny ones. These animals are very alert and prefer no contact with humans. Give them an out and they'll take it. Don't block their escape route, because they'll go right through you if need be.
Dogs and Coyotes
Coyotes were just a rumor when I was a kid, but where I grew up they're now common. One of the species that's following warm weather north, coyotes are learning coexistence with humans. Frequently seen even in suburban areas, they show little fear of humans unless you're carrying a rifle -- animals are definitely smart enough to know when a person is armed.
Pedestrians with small dogs on leashes are common targets for harassment. The person isn't the target; the little dog is. Cats and small dogs have become part of the coyote's normal diet, and if one's on a leash it's just handier. Most people have been successful at scaring off the little wolves, but it's still a nerve wracking experience.
By far the most common dangerous animal you will encounter today, the domestic dog is everywhere. Bred to protect and defend as well as to fight for entertainment, any dog can be a threat, but few breeds are lethal threats. Fighting dogs like pit bulls have earned a reputation as thugs in recent years. In most cities they qualify as weapons, legally, and for good reason. I get along well with dogs, but pit bulls always seem like they're just about to go off. A pit bull that's loose is a genuine danger.
Coyotes were just a rumor when I was a kid, but where I grew up they're now common. One of the species that's following warm weather north, coyotes are learning coexistence with humans. Frequently seen even in suburban areas, they show little fear of humans unless you're carrying a rifle -- animals are definitely smart enough to know when a person is armed.
Pedestrians with small dogs on leashes are common targets for harassment. The person isn't the target; the little dog is. Cats and small dogs have become part of the coyote's normal diet, and if one's on a leash it's just handier. Most people have been successful at scaring off the little wolves, but it's still a nerve wracking experience.
By far the most common dangerous animal you will encounter today, the domestic dog is everywhere. Bred to protect and defend as well as to fight for entertainment, any dog can be a threat, but few breeds are lethal threats. Fighting dogs like pit bulls have earned a reputation as thugs in recent years. In most cities they qualify as weapons, legally, and for good reason. I get along well with dogs, but pit bulls always seem like they're just about to go off. A pit bull that's loose is a genuine danger.
Canine Defense
Most dogs are bluffing and are
every bit as nervous as the most
nervous human they meet. If you act
nervous, they'll get even spookier.
Be calm and act with authority, and
most dogs will react with relief that
they don't actually have to do
anything. Watch for the tail wag -- if
it's wagging, the dog is just doing
it's job. If it's tucked down, the dog
means business.
Don't Challenge the Dog by meeting its gaze directly. That's the usual advice. I always challenge the dog by meeting the gaze directly, and that has always worked for me.
Steadily Move Out of the Dog's Territory and almost always the problem is resolved to the dog's satisfaction. Bred to defend territories, dogs know their boundaries precisely and seldom exceed them.
Feral Dogs are wild cards. They probably just want a friend and a handout, but they don't trust anyone. Territorial rules don't apply to roaming dogs. If dogs form packs, a hunting mentality emerges. Hold your ground and watch your back. Circling dogs will be more tempted to take a chunk out of you from behind, and that could start trouble. Back up to a tree or a wall if possible and don't leave until the pack leaves.
Nonlethal Defenses that really work include CounterAssault bear repellant, pepper spray or Mace--even the type you'd use on a human--and noise. A dog's ears are very acute and the high decibel output of a pocket airhorn will set most of them back. Make sure you get one that actually works.
If you're being mauled one suggestion is to curl up and protect your face and neck. Against some dogs that won't be effective.
Don't Challenge the Dog by meeting its gaze directly. That's the usual advice. I always challenge the dog by meeting the gaze directly, and that has always worked for me.
Steadily Move Out of the Dog's Territory and almost always the problem is resolved to the dog's satisfaction. Bred to defend territories, dogs know their boundaries precisely and seldom exceed them.
Feral Dogs are wild cards. They probably just want a friend and a handout, but they don't trust anyone. Territorial rules don't apply to roaming dogs. If dogs form packs, a hunting mentality emerges. Hold your ground and watch your back. Circling dogs will be more tempted to take a chunk out of you from behind, and that could start trouble. Back up to a tree or a wall if possible and don't leave until the pack leaves.
Nonlethal Defenses that really work include CounterAssault bear repellant, pepper spray or Mace--even the type you'd use on a human--and noise. A dog's ears are very acute and the high decibel output of a pocket airhorn will set most of them back. Make sure you get one that actually works.
If you're being mauled one suggestion is to curl up and protect your face and neck. Against some dogs that won't be effective.
The beloved family pet pit bull may not be
so benevolent towards strangers. Photo
from Wikipedia Commons.
Peccary photo from Wikipedia Commons
Razorback photo from
Wikipedia Commons
Coyote photo by ks42day
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Copyright: All original material on this site is the sole property of the author and cannot legally be copied or used in any form without his permission. That would be me.
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We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.