Throughout history an average wild animal has had the ability to kill an average human being so how did we as a species not only survive but ended up on the top of the food chain?
In: Biology
OP, ELI5 what is an average wild animal?
Great question!!!
One on one sure.
Humans ability to work in concert has to be a paradigm shift.
Not to mention our evolution to opposing thumbs was exponential
Weaponizing.
Tiger kills villager, village takes arms and make sure said Tiger dies. Repeat. Wild animals generally tend to avoid humans.
Because we can think better. 1v1 tiger vs person? Tiger wins. 1v1 tiger vs person with an M2 browning? Person wins
As an animal we’re really well adapted to kill other animals.
We are the only animal which can throw well enough to kill prey (though technically there are fish which shoot water at insects, and chameleons throw their tongues etc, but talking to larger animals here):
https://theconversation.com/how-humans-became-the-best-throwers-on-the-planet-131189
We are the best animal at running long distances:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23231031-300-humans-are-better-endurance-runners-than-any-other-animal/
Though we don’t hunt with biting, our bites are one of the most infectious, so probably not an ideal target for other animals of prey:
https://medicinetoday.com.au/mt/2017/november/feature-article/human-and-animal-bites-managing-and-preventing-infection
This is before you add in our social structures and intelligence, which means we’ll likely be in groups, create weapons and design traps.
Add it all together and we’re very dangerous. For example, tigers and bears are very strong and will kill a human 1v1 if they want to. But other humans will later track the dangerous tiger or bear. The tiger and bear won’t be able to outrun the humans. The humans will follow them, throw weapons from a distance, and/or create traps. Even if the tiger or bear kills several more people, they’ll be killed before they are able to kill a whole tribe.
Notice how pit bull fatalities are usually old people and children. The average man can fight off a pit bull. He might have some injuries but he’ll survive
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