Why Animals Attack

Whether out in the wild or on the city streets, animal attacks happen every single day to all kinds of people. 

Some attacks leave not even a scratch, whereas other attacks from larger animals in a rather aggressive mood can be dangerous and deadly to us. 

This begs the question then: why exactly do animals attack us? 

In today’s post, we’re going to break down the 3 main reasons some animals large and small feel the need to attack us. 

To watch the shocking video version of this post, click HERE now. 

You can also download the pest-free audio-only podcast by clicking on the podcast widget above. 

Reason #1: Feeling Threatened and/or Trapped

One reason some animals choose to attack humans even when it’s likely a losing battle is because they feel “backed into a corner,” threatened, and/or trapped. 

A good example of this would be if some raccoons or small animals infested your attic. 

A non-professional might just try to grab the animals and take them out, but this can actually be dangerous if the animal perceives you as a threat to them. 

How can the animal know that you plan to safely take them out to the wild? 

While stuck in your attic or other place in your home, the animal may feel restricted and trapped, like they have no option for escape. 

This is why it’s important to always provide a wild animal an escape path in the event of a confrontation as to encourage them to take that escape route instead of fighting, which can leave you injured, or worse at risk for contracting a virus like rabies. 

If an animal perceives your intentions as bad and that they have little other options, they will fight ferociously! 

Another thing that could cause an animal to feel unnecessarily threatened is if they are injured or sick. 

For example, have you ever had an injury and had a short temper with people around you while in pain? Wild animals are the same, but they can’t communicate their discontent at you; instead they prefer a bite or a scratch. 

In the case of a rabid animal, they are so sick that they might go crazy and go on an attack rampage! 

Finally, it should go without saying that one engaging in risky behavior such as chasing a wild animal or actively threatening one may be attacked because of how scared the creature is of us. 

Reason #2: Defending The Young

Adding onto the first point, an animal that has created a little home inside of your home or near it will fight extra hard if they have young nearby. 

Even if it is a losing fight, an animal would rather die protecting their young than let you take their young. 

If an animal has young ones in your home, they will fight until the death and likely not take any escape path. In these instances, it’s extra important to call a wildlife expert such as ourselves to deal with the problem! 

This can also be why some people may be “randomly” attacked while out hiking. They might think that a crazy bear or some animal just attacked them, when in reality they were encroaching on territory that had cubs or other young animals. 

Whenever you see baby animals, it’s extremely important to NOT approach them. The mother animal will fight ferociously and be unrelenting. 

Reason #3: Extreme Hunger

Finally, the least common reason an animal might attack a human is because they want to eat us. 

It’s extremely unlikely you would see some small animal like a raccoon engaging in this behavior - this behavior is reserved for larger predators such as bears, crocodiles, alligators, and in some cases packs of wolves! 

This is the least likely cause of an attack, but still it’s possible in cases where creatures are extremely hungry. 

If you are not threatening an animal or near its young, or better yet have backed off from the territory but the creature is still approaching you, then you could be in a situation where the aggressive animal views you as a tasty meal! 

Animals that attack due to hunger are likely experiencing extreme food shortages, and also may be extra aggressive due to other factors such as mating season approaching. It’s not normal for animals to attack humans for food, but it does happen!

The best advice in this situation is dependent only on the type of creature that you are dealing with. 

For example, a human could very easily out-run an alligator on land. However, running from some types of bears might actually trigger their predator instincts and encourage them to attack you. 

In the case of some bears, it’s best to look big, stand your ground while backing away slowly, and not look them in the eyes. 

That being said, even the case of bears is nuanced. The advice for black bears, brown bears, and polar bears are all different, for example. 

It’s a good idea to have a general awareness of the types of creatures that live in your area in case you are to encounter one. 

Someone living in Minnesota wouldn’t need to worry about alligators in a pond like someone in Florida might have to, and someone in Florida wouldn’t have to worry about bears on a nature hike like someone in Alaska would have to. 

Have an awareness of the types of creatures around you and how to deal with each one respectively, as what helps in one situation could harm you in another. 

Wildlife & Pest Infesting Your Home

In most cases, wildlife and pests do NOT want to attack you, but instead are just tending to their own business. Humans are rarely seen as prey, and usually attacked only in defense! 

If you think that you have a wildlife or pest infestation problem, call the experts immediately so that you don’t risk any damage to your home or health. 

We safely and responsibly remove the animals and return them to the wild where they belong whenever possible. 

Give us a call at 855-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildlifexteam.com for more information. 

Thanks for reading! 
-Wildlife x Team International 

Submit a Comment

* Required Field
Offering
  • Pest X Team Logo
  • Junk X Team Logo
  • X Team Services Logo
  • X Team Bird Control Logo
  • Gutter X Team Logo
  • Mosquito X Team Logo
As Featured on These Networks & Affiliates
  • Apple News Logo
  • Fox Logo
Affiliations:
  • Elite Service Logo
  • National Pest Management Association Logo
  • NWCOA Logo
  • If you have raccoons in your attic, garage, or other areas of your home, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today! Wildlife X Team are experts in raccoon removal and exclusion services.
  • Squirrel problems are rampant nationally. Squirrels can cause extensive damage in and around homes, including soiling floors and walls. Squirrels don't stand a chance against Wildlife X Team®'s trained professional staff.
  • Rodent problems are common for homeowners, but Wildlife X Team® can help you prevent rodents from getting in your walls or your attic. Keep rodents out of your home by calling today!
  • Removing and relocating bats is best left to professionals, as bats will bite and scratch if threatened. If you see signs of bats on your property or want to know how to get rid of bats from your attic and chimney, please call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007.
  • Although armadillos have no reason to get into houses, there is a lot of damage armadillos can cause. Their diet consists mostly of grubs and insects, but when they burrow, it can affect the very structure of buildings. Call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Whether you are facing a snake infestation on your property or just notice a single snake, call (817) 431-3007 at Wildlife X Team® today. Most snakes are harmless, some are venomous, and we can remove all kinds of snakes safely and quickly.
  • Birds can add a lot of enjoyment to the outdoor experience, but sometimes they cause trouble. If you're having an issue with problem birds like pigeons, starlings, or sparrows, give Wildlife X Team® a call at (817) 431-3007.
  • At Wildlife X Team®, we offer worry-free opossum removal and trapping. We can also repair any opossum damage.
  • Infamous for their defense mechanism, skunks are smelly creatures. This unique critter releases a scent to ward off predators and stay safe, and it smells offensive and can be dangerous.
  • Coyotes, a relative of the canine, are known for terrorizing livestock, and even household pets. Coyotes are often active at night, and homeowners often report the howling cries of these medium-sized creatures.
  • Badgers are notorious for having a bite that rivals their bark — despite their less-than-formidable size! Badgers have been known to fight animals as large as a bear!
  • Beaver damage is primarily to landscapes like riverbeds and lakesides. If you discover beaver damage in your property, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 to help relocate beavers and repair any damages caused by these flat-tailed critters.
  • Nocturnal creatures, bobcats will take down any prey necessary, especially livestock. Bobcats are territorial and will often return to the property they have claimed as their own, especially if there is a steady food source.
  • Chipmunks can be annoying and clever creatures, but they're no match for Wildlife X Team®. We offer chipmunk removal, and chipmunk damage repair services, plus we know how to keep chipmunks from coming back!
  • Fox landscape damage and feeding behaviors can affect homeowners' safety, so it's important to not approach a fox if you see one in the wild or on your property. Wildlife X Team® offers fox removal, fox trapping, and fox prevention. Call today!
  • Lizards, similar in appearance to snakes, can be frightening if you spot one in the wild or in your home, and although they don't typically attack residents, it's still good to not approach lizards.
  • Mole damage is most commonly found on landscapes, and sometimes humans don't even come into contact with them, but they definitely experience mole damage.
  • If you have discovered scorpion(s) in your garden or on your property, call us today for scorpion removal services.
  • Voles are not often spotted by humans, but vole damage is visible. For vole trapping, vole removal, and vole damage repair services, call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Infestations of bugs are common, so if you are facing an insect infestation, don't panic—we can help kill insects and get rid of them inside and outside your home.
  • Wild hog trapping and wild hog prevention are the most effective means of wild hog removal. Due to the aggressive nature of wild hogs, we do not recommend DIY wild hog trapping.
  • Termite infestations are common inside homes and on properties, so if you are dealing with insects, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today to get rid of your termite problem fast and effectively!
  • Bee and wasp infestations are common, so if you are facing a stinging insect infestation, don't panic — we can help get rid of them inside and outside your home.
About
Wildlife X Team is rapidly becoming the leader in the nuisance wildlife control industry. We lead the way in the development of technology, education, products and services in Wildlife Management.
Read More About Us
100% Financing
SuperMoney offers 100% financing up to $100,000 and 30 second approvals. You'll fill out one easy form and get competing pre-approved loan offers back in real time.
Apply Now
Wildlife X Team offers an exclusive Wildlife Inspection Report® which includes commonly overlooked areas where wildlife can enter and infest your home.
Project: Pest Control - Bugs & Insects
Great service, very thorough! This was my first time to use them and I signed up for the yearly service. They were extremely polite and had excellent follow up through the entire process.
Amy O., Haslet, TX