Halloween thoughts: some heartwarming, nonthreatening facts about four "scary" animals

     In present day and extending far back into human history, there are certain species which inspire fear.  This fear is often rooted in predation and scavenging; an animal that may eat you or that scavenges dead bodies seems a lot more threatening than say, that bunny hopping around the yard.  Although fear serves an important evolutionary purpose in keeping us alive and away from predators, it has unfortunately often led humans to hate and kill "scary" animals without probable cause.  Infamous examples include efforts to eradicate Gray Wolves in the lower 48 states from the late 1800's to mid-1900's, trophy hunting of sharks following the 1975 release of Jaws, and annual Rattlesnake Roundups (which involve the killing of thousands of snakes) that began in the 1950's and continue today.  We also see this fear represented in culture through legends, fairy tales, media, and more.  Falsities surrounding these animals maintain fear and hate, while hindering compassion. This blog replaces a few incorrect myths with true, heartwarming facts about four "scary" animals- ravens, wolves, sharks, and rattlesnakes, in attempt to build appreciation and admiration in place of apprehension and disdain.

Ravens (and Crows):
     Ravens and crows, members of the family Corvidae, are often disliked because of their large size, loud, harsh calls, and proclivity towards thievery.  They are frequently powerful figures in mythology; representing wisdom but also mischief, death, war, and misfortune depending on the culture (note that a group of ravens is called an unkindness, and a group of crows a murder).  However, ravens, crows, and other members of their family are highly intelligent and social animals, arguably having a culture.  New Caldonian Crows not only build tools from twigs and leaves, but learn how to make these tools from each other. The tools have even become better over time and generations!  The most eerie thing about these birds is their perceptions of us; they recognize human faces.  A human that has hurt or killed a flock member will be met with alarm calls, while there are other anecdotes of humans that treat crows or ravens kindly being brought gifts of buttons, coins, and such.  Moral of this story: be nice to corvids; they do not forget.

New Caldonian Crows using tool.

(Source: http://www.sciencemeetsadventure.com/greetings-from-new-caledonia/)

Wolf:
     The wolf is perhaps the most controversial animal in human history; it has given rise to dogs, but is also the inspiration for scary fairy tales and monsters like Little Red Riding Hood and the werewolf.  Common false facts spread about wolves include that they have razor sharp claws, kill for fun, and howl at the moon.  To the contrary, wolves live in family groups and hunt in order to survive.  Wolves often mate for life, and a wolf pack is typically a nuclear family (parents and one or more generations of pups).  Wolves communicate through a diversity of facial expressions, postures, and vocalizations.  They howl to find other pack members, rally the pack together, and warn non-pack members to stay out of their territory.  Each wolf has a unique voice that others may recognize it by.  A wolf's howl can be interpreted as a beautiful sound and associated with wilderness rather than something scary.

(Source: http://wolf-fanfiction.wikia.com/wiki/File:Wolf-pack-howling-med.jpg)

Shark:
     Sharks are often misunderstood, being thought of as unthinking killing machines.  Researchers say sharks are actually extremely curious (a sign of intelligence), citing examples such as a Great White Shark sticking its head out of the water to look at each person on a research vessel in turn.  Sharks have a social dominance hierarchy communicated through body slamming, gaping, and light biting.  Captive sharks are able to learn commands such as "Roll over"from keepers.  Most shark species give live birth (rather than lay eggs), and are often long-lived.  The Greenland Shark may be able to live over 400 years!  Sharks take a long time to grow and reproduce, much like our own species.

Captive Leopard Shark receiving a belly rub.

(Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3090731/That-s-spot-Leopard-shark-rolls-like-dog-BELLY-rubbed-aquarium-technician.html)

Rattlesnake:
     Like the shark, this is another animal thought of as an unthinking, cold-blooded killer.  However, rattlesnakes give live birth and also maternal care.  Young Arizona Black Rattlesnakes stay with mothers for up to 12 days.  Often the mothers form groups, possibly increasing care for their young.  Baby rattlesnakes cannot see well during this time; adults alert the young to threats by rattling, upon which they may seek shelter.  Rattlesnake venom has evolved to subdue prey.  Individuals do not bite humans because they are ill-tempered, they bite humans because they feel threatened.  The rattlesnake's rattle and hiss serve to warn larger animals of its presence.  Even when these warnings are not heeded, 20-25% of bites are dry (do not contain venom).  Listen to the rattlesnake's warning, and leave it be.  It wants to avoid you as much as you want to avoid it.

Timber Rattlesnake with young.

(Source: http://snakesarelong.blogspot.ca/2015/11/snakes-that-are-good-parents.html)

     Fear of an animal is no reason to kill it.  Not only do ravens (and crows), wolves, sharks, rattlesnakes, and other "scary" animals serve important regulatory roles as predators and scavengers in ecosystems, they are living, feeling creatures like us.  The most scary species is perhaps our own, as we take up more and more resources and continue to struggle to coexist with other species.  Be part of the solution, not the problem, by showing compassion and respect to the other creatures we share the planet with.

Jess

Sources: 
Ravens and Crows:

• Mythology- http://www.perspectivesmagazine.sk/news/ravens-and-crows-in-mythology-folklore-and-religion/ 
• Tool usage and evolution- http://www.news.ucsb.edu/2015/015831/something-crow-about 
• Remembering faces- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/science/26crow.html
• The girl who receives gifts from crows- http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31604026

Wolves:

• Howling- http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130730-wolves-howling-science-animals-environment/
• Family groups- http://www.wolf.org/wolf-info/wild-kids/wolf-families/

Sharks:

• Curiosity and intelligence- http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/forget-jaws-now-its-brains-48249580/?webSyncID=c6913d54-9bea-1db2-8138-d64873543720&page=2
• Training- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5428522/Sharks-can-be-cuddled-like-dolphins-say-scientists.html
• Greenland Shark- http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/08/greenland-shark-may-live-400-years-smashing-longevity-record
• Shark finning- http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-news/shark-finning-sharks-turned-prey

Rattlesnakes:

• Maternal care- http://precedings.nature.com/documents/6671/version/1/files/npre20116671-1.pdf
• Venom and bites- http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/venomous_snake_faqs.shtml 
• Rattlesnake roundup- http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/controversial-texas-rattlesnake-roundup-nets-largest-catch-date-180958575/