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What animals are misunderstood?

55 replies

Soubriquet · 10/09/2023 11:48

People seem to hate certain animals due to old wives tales and other things.

What animal do you think gets undeserved hate?

I’ll start with bats and spiders.

People freak out about bats because they worry about rabies. It’s a fair worry but as long as you don’t go picking bats up, you have nothing to worry about. They won’t fly into you, they don’t aim to bite you and they are very unlikely to fly into your home. So sit outside and watch them swoop for bugs in peace.

Spiders. Ok yeah, a lot of them are not nice to look at but the majority of spiders in the Uk are perfectly harmless. Most types have fangs that can’t penetrate the skin and the ones who do, it creates a mild itching more than anything. People were panicking about false widows but most of the won’t hurt anyone. It’s only people who have an allergy to the venom that was reacting.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/09/2023 19:02

Guinea pigs don’t like being picked up
but they like being cuddled - you have to pick them up properly so they feel safe . They are very rump heavy so grabbing them under the armpits which a lot of people do scares them Also something hovering over them. They are prey animals who think everything is out to kill them.
They are not agile , cannot kick like a rabbit or climb like a rat , They can run but not very fast . They cannot turn their heads quickly ,
They do posess a fine set of teeth being rodents but they rarely bite . And if they do it's usually human error .
They are sociable and should always be kept in pairs or groups ( has to be the right group)
And the make the most endearing noises from squeaking , purring , chirruping so sometimes singing like a bird Grin.

GCAcademic · 10/09/2023 19:06

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 10/09/2023 17:40

Vultures. I used to sponsor a vulture at the local raptor centre, when I found out that they won’t mate until the male builds the nest. If the female doesn’t like it she throws it on the ground and flys off ( no nooky for rip off builders in Vulture World).

I wonder if pterodactyl had the same attitude?

Very sensible. Reminds me of the advice you see on MN not to have kids with a bloke until you're married because you need the security. But throwing the nest on the ground is next level!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/09/2023 19:10

Black Cats
I know there's a lorra lorra love on MN for them but Rescues are full of them as people overlook black cats especially shy ones .

We have 2 , brother/sister . They are amazing Not a whiff of a pedigree just your standard black moggie aka Mini House Panther

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CalistoNoSolo · 10/09/2023 19:57

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/09/2023 19:02

Guinea pigs don’t like being picked up
but they like being cuddled - you have to pick them up properly so they feel safe . They are very rump heavy so grabbing them under the armpits which a lot of people do scares them Also something hovering over them. They are prey animals who think everything is out to kill them.
They are not agile , cannot kick like a rabbit or climb like a rat , They can run but not very fast . They cannot turn their heads quickly ,
They do posess a fine set of teeth being rodents but they rarely bite . And if they do it's usually human error .
They are sociable and should always be kept in pairs or groups ( has to be the right group)
And the make the most endearing noises from squeaking , purring , chirruping so sometimes singing like a bird Grin.

I totally heart guinea pigs. I would love to rescue a couple but it wouldn't be fair because I have a terrier with a very strong prey drive for small furries.

Davros · 11/09/2023 11:26

www.cats.org.uk/support-us/events/black-cats
National Black Cat day is coming up on 27 October

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