Rats do get a bit of an unfair rap though. Starting with the black death. It's now considered most likely that it was humans that spread that. Sewers and rats are not a happy combination but most of the diseases that humans catch are still spread by humans. Not all, I know, but heck of a lot.

I don't even mind sharing food from my garden but I've gotten sick while working in my vegetable garden because of diseases likely deposited in the feces and urine of tree rats, racoons, opossums, skunks, etc. Zoonotic diseases are no joke.

and yet Daria B, people are willing to adopt stray cats & dogs & bunnies & hamsters & guinea pigs etc..... Same premise (don't know where they're from, or if they have disease), yet a totally different reaction (ie their first thought isn't to kill them out of fear of the unknown)

It's like seeing your Doctor in WalMart. Too hard for the brain to compute.

Porcupine, simple hand washing will not prevent the spread of some diseases WillemPenn mentioned. Just look up hanta virus for an example. If zoonotic diseases were so easy to avoid, there would not be cities under quarantine in China right now.

Wash your hands...?

actually its proven hippos are omnivores

That is not the same as how we think of our properties. You're talking about a totally different thing between the same species. I'm sure they don't step on any little creature that they see in their territory.

Alpha puck, she did say something similar to you, but she said it politely. She wasn't rude about it.

That's not the same. Animals fight over territory because in the wild it's really harsh. You have to keep your area safe to keep the food and water for yourself. A majority of humans don't have this problem.

Alpha puck, what do you mean on the same level as animals? If you look at the food chain, you may realize we are animals. We may be smarter, but I doubt you could survive in the desert for a week without water like a camel. Respect the animals.

Kathrine Rux, well how about that, I did not know thank you.

Tiny Dynamine they do not just attack their own species. I have seen videos of hippos attacking a crocodile, buffalo, baby elephant, lion, rhino and an antelope. They have even attacked and killed humans.

@Tiny Dynamite, Hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. They intentionally capsize boats passing in the rivers they live in for one. Hippos, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants kill more people than lions do. They attack other animals too.

This. But there's even no need to go so far into the kingdom of exotic animals. Just take a look at cats. They're very territorial.

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I like how Foxxy said the same thing I did, but I got voted down. Lol

Keri, there are other insects that I prefer such as Praying Mantises to keep the nasties away such as spiders. Just because I don't like spiders and have a real fear of them (I was bit by a black widow when I was younger) doesn't mean I don't find other life precious. It's not an all or nothing type of thing. I do agree with the OP, just not with you.

Mama panda - I can hear that. I catch and release spiders myself, but I've never had a bad interaction with one. However I have a particular fear of maggots (yes I know everyone hates them in general) but I cry and freak and run away I can't breathe...if that's how you feel about spiders I totally get it :( praying mantis, Venus fly traps, lots of alternatives to spiders ^-^ I must say spiders do a good job though. I do catch and release once they get big, but babies can stay

@Kerry DA humans drew the food chain because we can draw. I dont see mice drawing and sending people to the moon. Being a human I get whatever tools I can personally make at my disposal. But if you want to play your stupid game, then the lion doesnt get thousands of years of evolution to have sharp teeth or claws or the muscle mass that it has.

Humans drew the food chain and drew us at the top because we've given ourselves ability to kill everything. I'd like to see you have a stand-off with a lion with no man made tools at your side and see what nature thinks of you being "at the top"

We (humans) are animals....

You sound like you need a safe space.

I usually try to as well but dear lord if there is a spider or large bug somewhere and it surprises me (ex. Once I pulled a tissue out of a box and held it up to my face for a few seconds before I realized there was a large wolf spider on it) I'm sorry but they are usually smacked out of reflex :(

What about bedbugs? Or lice? Or fleas? Or ticks?

I'll kill flies no problem, but I never kill spiders.

Oh no need to relocate the nests! Just your home....... lol I am so scared of wasps