Just when you thought it was safe to go camping this weekend…
Despite the fact that Canada’s ranked as one of the best places to live in terms of health care, technology, world class cities, sometimes we forget that we’re actually 80% wilderness, and if you’re not careful, something in that wild north will get you.
Here’s a list of animals to watch out for.
Wolverine
There’s a reason why one of the best X-men is Canadian and named after this animal.
The Wolverines a badass animal. They are short and compact, with powerful paws capped with curved claws. They’re well suited for life in Canada, as their jaws are strong enough to bite through frozen meat, and are incredibly fierce and aggressive. They’ve been known to drive bears away from their kills, and fortunately for us, attacks by a wolverine are few and far in between. But we still wouldn’t recommend getting close.
Lynx
Smaller than the cougar, but no less vicious, the Lynx is more agile and it tends to go after small mammals, but has also been known to go after pets. Humans that try to defend their pets find themselves being attached by the Lynx.
Killer Whale/Orca
If you haven’t seen the documentary Blackfish, go watch it now.. we’ll wait.
Watched it? Good, now you see what they’ll do to humans in captivity. In the wild, they’re long, five ton killing machines, with no natural predators. They’ll go after fish and squid primarily, but have been seen taking sea turtles, penguins, seals, sea lions and even the occasional small blue whale as a meal.
They hunt in packs and their sharp teeth will rip into anything. They’re also not afraid of shallow water and have been known to slide onto the beach for a meal and have even been seen taking down unsuspecting deer and moose.
Fiddleback/Brown Recluse Spider
Do we even have to mention how creepy spiders are? This guy is one of the worst. The Brown Recluse is venomous and can be recognized by the violin shaped markings on their heads. This is important because they live and hide in dry, undisturbed places such as baseboards, cellars, furnaces, bookshelves and even infrequently worn shoes. When you come into those areas, they’ll bite you, causing a rash, nausea, fever and even death. So be careful, cause this guy isn’t out there, he’s probably in here with you.
Moose
Another one of Canada’s mascots, the Moose is easily one of the most dangerous animals in Canada, and not for the reason you think. Moose are dangerous to motorists, over 700 Moose-vehicle collisions occur every year in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Once you go onto their turf, their 600 kg will charge at you, and you can have your pick of what’s going to turn you into jelly; the huge antlers, or their hoofs. Moose are known to kick with their front or back feet.
Black Bear
Generally, due to it’s relatively small size, the black bear usually isn’t regarded as dangerous as it’s cousins the Grizzly and the Polar bears, but don’t be fooled. They’re still in the top ranking of dangerous animals, as at least 1-2 Canadians lose their life per year to a Black Bear. They weigh over 600 pounds and have been known to wander into settlements in search of food.
Cougar
The urban and suburban cougars can be dangerous at the local, but it’s the wild cougars you should worry about. Even the news lately have had reports of cougar attacks in neighbourhoods on the west coast. Nearly 40% of all cougar attacks take place in BC. These guys will stalk they prey and then launch themselves at their target. Usually children and crouching adults are the preferred targets due to their size and ease of attack. Their large paws and sharp claws will start a process that their sharp teeth will finish, as the cougar likes to go after the throats, to suffocate it’s victims.
Grizzly Bear
The biggest, meanest bear in the Canadian woods. They’re the most aggressive of the bear family and will attack and kill if threatened. Luckily enough, they tend to avoid human contact, but many have unwittingly stumbled between a mother and her cubs, with tragic results. 70% of human/Grizzly fatalities are due to this. The best way to avoid becoming bear food is to be wary and steer clear if you even think you’re near one.
Massasauga Rattler
There’s a rattlesnake in Ontario and if you’re lucky, you’ll never have to meet it. As Canada’s only poisonous snake, it’s got a distinct colouring and a unique rattle, that if you’re prone to camping in this province, you should be familiar with.
The Rattler generally goes after small mammals with it’s paralyzing venom, but will attack humans if startled or threatened. Bites are treatable, but there have been at least two Canadians that have been recorded as dying due to a Massasauga Rattler bite.
Polar Bear
Another animal that we see in zoos and we think “aww how cute and cuddly.” That’s wrong.
Living in the arctic means surviving in the harshest climate in the world. They prey on seals and small mammals, but have been known to go after wolves, and if the occasional human get’s close, they will attack. In 2003, while sleeping, a man in Nunavut was attacked by a Polar bear that ended up tearing his scalp off and jumping on his chest (to tenderize him, perhaps). With the arctic slowly melting, these guys are finding their way into civilization and it’s only a matter of time that they get hungry enough to chase after someone in a parka.
Elk
Generally, because we see the Elk every day on our quarters, we take this guy for granted as a majestic animal. But he’s a majestic animal that will rip you open and crush you. One of the largest mammals in North America, the Elk aren’t afraid of human beings.
Parks Canada has a longstanding warning not to approach Elk at any time. This animal is aggressive and will charge on a regular day. Once you get into the mating season, the males will chase you, and during calving season, the females take any excuse to pulverize you.
Greenland Shark
Bet you didn’t know that there were sharks in Canada. There’ve been sightings of some Great whites off the pacific coast, but the Greenland Shark lives in the Arctic Ocean. This guy generally is a slow moving, bottom dwelling scavenger, but when hungry enough, it’s gone after seals, squid and other sharks. It’s also been seen going after moose, caribou and polar bears that get too close to the water, and it’s been known to gorge itself to the point of suffocation.
So, all we’re saying is that when you’re in Canada’s gorgeous nature this weekend, just be careful. You never know what’s going to come after you.
via – thechive
