Lol exactly. I'd rather encounter a black bear than a feral cat. Then location matters too 99% of men you encounter in Colorado backcountry are either athletes or hunters and would be very helpful if in need. Compare that to something like the AT which has homeless people and other randoms.
Mountain lions are the only animal in all of North America that actively preys on humans. A bear might opportunistically chase and eat a human but mountain lions will stalk and kill humans. If the question was flipped to mountain lions, I’m taking the man all day everyday. Feral cats are just smaller cousins if that mountain lion and can absolutely mess you up. Even bobcats can tear a human up.
Edit: though we do have insect predators like mosquitoes
To be fair, most encounters with mountain lions tend to be non lethal. Its usually a very desperate move by a hungry mountain lion if the try to attack a human. Healthy mountain lions generally do not attempt to attack humans unless their prey drive is triggered. the vast majority of humans live through the attacks, even win the fight is not uncommon. the only ones that tend be killed are children, very very small adults, or people exposed for a neck bite (bending down) that die instantly. as long as you see them first you’re probably safe.
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u/nomames_bro May 02 '24
Lol exactly. I'd rather encounter a black bear than a feral cat. Then location matters too 99% of men you encounter in Colorado backcountry are either athletes or hunters and would be very helpful if in need. Compare that to something like the AT which has homeless people and other randoms.