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Australia - sharks; spiders and snakes - yikes

Trekker954
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Trekker954

Trekker954

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I leave Saturday for land down under. I'm am so excited. Looking so forward to seeing all the different type of wildlife native to Australia.

 

Should I be nervous?

 

This morning this article about a Japanese tourist who died after being bitten by a shark off Shelly Beach.

 

We'll be getting in the water in Airlie Beach snorkeling and of course, Cairns where I will snorkel and my daughter will scuba dive.

 

Then there is the issue of snakes and spider. I mean seriously Australia does have some of the deadliest. We'll spend land time in Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney doing various tours in each.

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wally_bushy

wally_bushy

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I leave Saturday for land down under. I'm am so excited. Looking so forward to seeing all the different type of wildlife native to Australia.

 

Should I be nervous?

 

This morning this article about a Japanese tourist who died after being bitten by a shark off Shelly Beach.

 

We'll be getting in the water in Airlie Beach snorkeling and of course, Cairns where I will snorkel and my daughter will scuba dive.

 

Then there is the issue of snakes and spider. I mean seriously Australia does have some of the deadliest. We'll spend land time in Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney doing various tours in each.

 

Without being too sombre, you have more chance of being injured driving your car in the USA.

If you abide by rules and heed advice you will be fine.

Most of the "nasties" avoid you as much as you avoid them:)

Edited by wally_bushy
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cremes

cremes

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I would be more worried about the government in Australia than any sharks or deadly snakes or spiders.

By the way watch out for the poisonous cane toads in Queensland, they are as big as footballs and twice as ugly as footballers.

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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I leave Saturday for land down under. I'm am so excited. Looking so forward to seeing all the different type of wildlife native to Australia.

 

Should I be nervous?

 

This morning this article about a Japanese tourist who died after being bitten by a shark off Shelly Beach.

 

We'll be getting in the water in Airlie Beach snorkeling and of course, Cairns where I will snorkel and my daughter will scuba dive.

 

Then there is the issue of snakes and spider. I mean seriously Australia does have some of the deadliest. We'll spend land time in Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney doing various tours in each.

 

We may have some deadly stuff but we do not have wolves, bears, mountain lions etc. You will be fine.:D

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the_bings

the_bings

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I lived in the US for 12 months in 2002.

I am Australian born and bred - lived in most states and territories due to my father (a medical specialist) taking different posts when I was growing up, sometimes in different remote areas for months at a time.

I've seen a lot of Australia, but honestly even in the remote areas, have never felt that the wildlife would "attack" me.

I knew to be cautious in the waters in the northern parts of Australia for crocs, Sharks in the east and south, jellyfish - well, everywhere!

On land, look out for snakes and spiders - but snakes and spiders don't actually go after you as such... just don't get close and leave them alone!

 

I was more terrified of the bears when we lived in Denver.

I mean seriously, they just roam the wooded areas in some parts and there were a lot of areas like that... they can wind up in your yard and bear control would come. It was a common thing. Seal your trash cans so the bears don't come. That was new thing for me!

 

At least in Aus, our deadly animals (besides Sharks & crocs - which the US still has around some parts as well as Gators) don't spot you and then actively come at you to attack/kill you...

 

I find Australia's "Scary animals" persona quote hilarious actually... So much more to worry about in the US (In my experience anyway).

 

In the suburbs in Australia, it's barely even a concern.

 

You will be fine, just like anywhere else in the world - know the dangers, be cautious and listen to the locals.

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GUT2407

GUT2407

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We Aussies are relatively safe from drop bears. This research published at the beginning of April demonstrates they can distinguish our accents from tourists'.

 

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2013/03/drop-bears-target-tourists,-study-says/

 

And they spent research dollars to figure than out doh!

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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We Aussies are relatively safe from drop bears. This research published at the beginning of April demonstrates they can distinguish our accents from tourists'.

 

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2013/03/drop-bears-target-tourists,-study-says/

 

The timing of this research is very important for all who read it.:D

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GUT2407

GUT2407

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Have fun, and make sure you wear sunscreen. You have more chance of getting sunburn than of getting injured by our wonderful wildlife.

 

 

Ain't that the truth [says he with the bright red legs and I was in the shade and had sun screen].

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aronde

aronde

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Will never forget one of my first overseas trips as a young lad with some Aussie mates on a safari through Africa telling all the Americans with us about the drop bear menace. To this day I doubt any of them have ever set foot in our great country!! :D

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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Will never forget one of my first overseas trips as a young lad with some Aussie mates on a safari through Africa telling all the Americans with us about the drop bear menace. To this day I doubt any of them have ever set foot in our great country!! :D

 

Yeah, I am surprised that the ones that do come here still want to hold the Koalas.:p

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dizzy1948

dizzy1948

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I leave Saturday for land down under. I'm am so excited. Looking so forward to seeing all the different type of wildlife native to Australia.

 

Should I be nervous?

 

This morning this article about a Japanese tourist who died after being bitten by a shark off Shelly Beach.

 

We'll be getting in the water in Airlie Beach snorkeling and of course, Cairns where I will snorkel and my daughter will scuba dive.

 

Then there is the issue of snakes and spider. I mean seriously Australia does have some of the deadliest. We'll spend land time in Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney doing various tours in each.

 

Read and take notice of the signs/warnings near the waters edge, and no matter how hard you look - there is nowhere on a sign/warning, that says "except me" - some have tried that - and paid the price. :eek: Hope you have a wonderful time...............if not..............we'll send snakes and spiders after you :p

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avalon007

avalon007

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We've all survived to adulthood living here so that about says it all! :D

 

I agree the bears are more scary in the USA than anything Australia has to offer on land at least! I was looking over my shoulder on many a bush walk in Alaska especially.

 

After visiting Yellowstone & camping at Grand Tetons NP we read the next day that a tourist had been killed by a grizzly. Eek! Give me snakes & spiders any day. :D

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