Don't Look Like Food

When I swim in the ocean, my mind inevitably wanders to the topic of sharks.  Dumb. Well, likewise, on a particularly dense and wilderness-y part of last Sunday's group trail run I began thinking about things like bears and cougars (are there cougars here?) and wondering what other large carnivores habitate the Santa Monica mountains. 

So I asked my running partners "ok what are you supposed to do if you encounter an animal that looks like it wants to eat you?"

One guy laughed and said (you got it) "Just don't look like food".

Apparently the proper response depends on the way the encounter happened, i.e. whether you happened upon each other accidentally, or whether you are being stalked. 

If you suddently realize you are in the proximity of something dangerous, like a bear, you want to avoid presenting yourself as a threat or a challenger. 

• Do not make direct eye contact
• Do not make any sudden moves
• DO NOT RUN AWAY
• Identify yourself as a person by talking in low tones and slowly waving your arms
• Back away slowly, give it a chance to leave

If the animal is predatory:

• Make yourself look BIGGER - arms in the air and stand on something if possible
• Try to appear dominant - scream, shout, wave your arms, jump up and down
• Fight back - do not be submissive - defend yourself with whatever means possible
• Concentrate your efforts on the face, eyes, and nose

While I'm on the subject, if you happen upon a Rattlesnake:

• They only strike in self-defense - not predatory
• Just try not to frighten or threaten it
• Back away slowly, give it a very wide berth, and move on