Which animals are true man-eaters?

[AxxisPhoto]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

Ex Girlfriends...

[buddy4344]

I have also seen video where a group of African Wild Dog suddenly attacked a cameraman. this is supposedly unusual. Individual dogs aren't the issue, as much as the pack seems to communicate when they hunt

[damonb]

Any large predator can attack a human being. I'm always surprised that human beings look at themselves as being separate from the animal kingdom.

While certain animals may not look at us as "natural food" sources, there has been a number of cases where big cats that may have had health problems (tigers, etc.) did take a liking to killing human beings (the Sunderban region in India, for example).

[Matt-l]

Hippos are dangerous yes, but they dont stalk and hunt humans.

A lot of the animals mentioned are getting a bad rap for instinct, a mother Black bear and cubs. shes just protecting them. She will not hunt you down and kill you and feast on you.

stalking and protection/territory are different. any animal can be considered dangerous if put in the wrong position and blown all over the media. Animals that will hunt/attack humans most times do not do it on a regular basis, its desparitey mostly, no food around, but a nice human.

Some animals do hunt humans and like mentioned above me in regions of Africa some villages are targeted. Those are the true man-eaters. Not born to hunt humans, but forced for ease of food.

The real answer to the question i believe is right is no animal is a man-eater until forced to be.

[Ephily]

The only large predator that actually considers humans natural prey is the Polar Bear. All other predators will rarely attack humans and only old and sick ones that cannot hunt their regular prey might hunt humans.

[alt4852]

Originally Posted by Matt-l

The real answer to the question i believe is right is no animal is a man-eater until forced to be.

i think you're giving too much credit to animals. i'm pretty sure they hunt out of convenience and availability. i don't think a cougar has it's hand forced if it decides to hunt and kill a hiker. we're just like any other food source. i doubt it's thinking, "golly, i really don't want to do this, but there's just no other way!" before pouncing.

[krb]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned leopards yet.

What I've seen of the siberian tiger leaves me thinking I'd rather not be too close to one.

[_aravena]

Humans...

[RikWriter]

Originally Posted by _aravena

Humans...

The title is man EATER not man killer. Cannibalism isn't THAT common.

[_aravena]

Hey! Been awhile Rik.

Depends on where you. The OP didn't specify. Assuming this isn't some pointless grade school convo, they could be inquiring on certain exotic areas. Even ants have been known to attack and devour humans. Rare, but none the less it happens.

[nuffi]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

hippos are extremely dangerous if you get close. they hate people.

Well... Truth be told I don't think it is just people. They are jsut seriously grumpy creatures. And move like greased lighting, even on land. And have a propensity to kill and eat anything that gets too close.

Even though their main diet is herbivorous.

But they won't go out of their way to hunt a human. Does it still count?

[cjeff]

Originally Posted by buddy4344

I have also seen video where a group of African Wild Dog suddenly attacked a cameraman. this is supposedly unusual. Individual dogs aren't the issue, as much as the pack seems to communicate when they hunt

Quite surprised at this one - will have to be more careful in future. Have often photographed wild dog and have actually had them sniffing my back while I was getting the pictures. Though a couple of weeks ago I took photographs of wild dog while a film crew was filming and the dogs were very suspicious of the camera man.

[sparker1]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

Ex Girlfriends...

The voice of experience, Jay?

[nebula_42]

Pigs and wild hogs will eat people.

[Whippeticious]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

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ex boyfriends