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Original poster

To ask what is the largest wild animal you could fight off?

263 replies

Tsham · 04/08/2026 09:14

You’re walking in the countryside. An animal resents your presence and it goes for you.

One simple question.

What is the largest wild animal you think you could successfully fight off?

It doesn’t have to be a British wild animal. Feel free to choose a Koala or a Baboon, etc. if you wish.

OP posts:
cantsleepneedsleep · 05/08/2026 07:56

Oreosareawful · 04/08/2026 15:41

I’m an equestrian and will happily face off a 600kg horse, so I’m going to say I could take on a zebra 💪

Zebras are pretty wild

FOJN · 05/08/2026 07:51

InOverMyHead84 · 04/08/2026 09:40

You must be near me, keeping an eye out for Samba too. Imagine he would give quite the nasty nip.

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How dare you? Samba is a she. 😂

Capybara's are very chill so I think it unlikely they'd want to fight anyone but they do look substantial enough to do some damage if they wanted to and honestly I think there could be worse things than death by capybara.

Empress13 · 05/08/2026 07:49

A little field mouse

Katemax82 · 05/08/2026 07:43

Frikadelle · 04/08/2026 09:25

Nothing bigger than a guinea pig for me. I was once charged down by a wild boar and did not for a nanosecond contemplate taking it on! I was (attempting to) climb a tree when fortunately it changed direction.

That used to be my biggest fear when woodland walking!

InterestedDad37 · 04/08/2026 23:27

O reckon I could get one over on a labrador 🦮 👊
But not a similarly sized pit bull 🤔
Possibly a sloth, or a beaver.

faithfultoGeorgeMichael · 04/08/2026 23:20

@RestlessSnail as you say, they have different personalities. I have some in my field which are mad for chickens and can dig like a JCB but it's ok. My dad had a large sett on his land and they were vicious lunatics. My Dad is a very tough hard faced man and the only time I have ever seen him scared was he accidentally caught a badger in a trap he set for a stray dog that had been attacking our sheep. He was terrified, it was wildly angry and on the attack 😂he had to stand on the roof of the car and release the trap with a stick 😂the TERROR as it charged around snarling. A fav childhood memory 😂

CarrieMoonbeams · 04/08/2026 23:16

We rescued a rabbit that the previous owners wanted to be PTS because he was attacking everyone in the household, adults and kids. We've had many rabbits over the years so I was confident that we'd get along just fine, so I said we'd happily take him.

They handed him to me in his (stinking 😢) cage because they wouldn't even risk lifting him out. I clearly remember the look on his face when I got him home - head drawn back, ears flat, like "Go on then Mrs, let's see if you can handle me". Bloody hell, that was a sore bite 😲

He did eventually turn into a lovely boy, but to those of you thinking you'd be ok with a rabbit, I wouldn't be so sure!

mumumental · 04/08/2026 23:06

DinoLil · 04/08/2026 09:18

A hamster.

They can be extremely vicious, I seem to remember.

faithfultoGeorgeMichael · 04/08/2026 23:03

Bifflepants · 04/08/2026 11:45

I think I could take on an anteater.

Don't be ridiculous, this like those American men that think they can win a fight against a gorilla!

IHateShein · 04/08/2026 22:38

A lamb kept ramming me once as I walked through a field. I probably could have kicked it in the face but just would never do it.

An animal would have to be seriously biting or ripping at me to be lashed out at.

Maybe a buzzard if it attacked my face?

Magicpaintbrush · 04/08/2026 22:34

Aardvark...?

HelpMeGetThrough · 04/08/2026 22:27

Evasmissingletter · 04/08/2026 22:07

……or could you?

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You’d be fine if you have the Holy Hand Grenade.

Mrstawnyowl · 04/08/2026 22:26

I’m going to brown/grizzly bear country soon. I’ll arm myself with bear spray.

Evasmissingletter · 04/08/2026 22:07

corblimeymlud · 04/08/2026 09:35

I think I could take on a rabbit 😂

……or could you?

To ask what is the largest wild animal you could fight off?
Barney16 · 04/08/2026 21:38

A deer, one of those small ones, they come into my garden so I am experienced. Although realistically I'm more herding them than fighting them. But I think I could take one on.

cardibach · 04/08/2026 21:26

Actually, I had an encounter with a bear (didn’t ask for credentials) in California in the early 90s. I was camping and it came into our camp. Me and my friend scared it off with flashing lights and noise (banging saucepans). It left. So on that basis, I can take a really quite large bear.

MilkBreadToiletroll · 04/08/2026 20:55

My teen DS said with some certainty a black bear. I like that he backs himself, and I hope he holds onto this confidence.

JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 04/08/2026 20:28

SummitWrong · 04/08/2026 19:15

Polar bear.

I wouldnt fight it though, I'd befriend it. I bet they love a good belly rub.

Mmm me thinks you'd be polar bears tea.
Agreed they look cuddly fluffy etc but it ends in looks

corblimeymlud · 04/08/2026 20:14

TutTutTutSigh · 04/08/2026 19:39

I would have a go against a flamingo. They are a ridiculous shape so if I can tackle it to the ground and sit on it I'd have the upper hand.

👏👏👏😂😂

SummitWrong · 04/08/2026 20:11

BestZebbie · 04/08/2026 19:21

Possibly a penguin? Not a maximum size one, and the beak would inflict nasty wounds, but they might be lighter than they look (being birds) and could be toppled by kicking and they sat on?

I reckon a penguin could give a pretty good slap

RedRosie · 04/08/2026 19:39

Great question. DH says "Emperor Penguin". For me, dunno. Small animals can be very fierce! I wouldn't mess with a fox either. Fast and bitey.

TutTutTutSigh · 04/08/2026 19:39

I would have a go against a flamingo. They are a ridiculous shape so if I can tackle it to the ground and sit on it I'd have the upper hand.

PermanentTemporary · 04/08/2026 19:38

A wasp.

I was born prey.

Abra1t · 04/08/2026 19:37

TwoBad · 04/08/2026 09:22

Badgers are solid muscle. Add in their claws, powerful jaws and the diseases they carry and you'll probably need some serious medical treatment

Me vs badger = probable victory for badger

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I pulled my terrier away from two young badgers who were fighting one another. It wasn’t pretty and I didn’t want her joining in.

I don’t like them much.

LakieLady · 04/08/2026 19:34

Theworldsgonemadagain · 04/08/2026 09:29

A fox, I wouldn't mess with a badger or a swan (got bit by one as a child). Certainly not a kangaroo those things are hard as nails.

Edited

I think a fox would be about my limit, too.