I know this might sound a bit weird, but has anyone else noticed that sea creatures seem way more chill compared to land animals? I mean, sea animals don’t act the same as land animals when they come across humans or something new. Land animals either run away or go into fight mode, right? But sea creatures, from what I’ve seen, are just… curious? Is it because they don’t know what we are? I’m studying biology and have a basic idea, but I’m still wondering why we see this difference. Does anyone have thoughts on why this is the case?
I think it’s because we don’t look like their usual predators. Maybe they just stare at us thinking, ‘What on earth is that?’
Charlie said:
I think it’s because we don’t look like their usual predators. Maybe they just stare at us thinking, ‘What on earth is that?’
That makes sense. It’s just interesting how they show curiosity instead of just running or attacking. Why do sea creatures behave this way, though?
@Dara
I think it’s about our forward-facing eyes. To land creatures, that signals ‘hunter’ or ‘predator’, so they act defensive.
Sharks are usually aggressive, but most of the time, their attacks on humans are just mistaken identity. And yeah, our behavior towards animals can affect how they see us. On land, we know what to avoid, so we’re more cautious. But in the ocean, we act differently, not like natural prey. Maybe that changes things.
@Dru
That’s an interesting take. If land animals saw an unfamiliar creature behaving the way we do in the sea, would they react similarly? Or would they still choose to fight or run?
Dara said:
@Dru
That’s an interesting take. If land animals saw an unfamiliar creature behaving the way we do in the sea, would they react similarly? Or would they still choose to fight or run?
Good question. Some land predators might get curious if they sense no fear. Like with bears, when people stand their ground and act big, it makes the bear second-guess its approach.
@Dru
True, bears can act curious in those cases. I hadn’t thought about it like that. Thanks for pointing that out! It makes me wonder if certain species just react differently. Some sea creatures might have that same cautious or aggressive instinct. I guess it varies.
I feel like what we see on TV or online plays a big role in our perception. If more people explored the ocean, we’d probably hear more stories about aggression.
Sam said:
I feel like what we see on TV or online plays a big role in our perception. If more people explored the ocean, we’d probably hear more stories about aggression.
That’s a fair point. But it’s still odd to me that sea creatures seem to approach humans with curiosity. Have land animals ever shown that kind of behavior to something they’ve never seen before?
@Dara
It depends on the animal. Their reaction could be influenced by factors like age, intelligence, and environment. I’ve seen deer get curious about new structures. Animals can be inquisitive, but it varies.
Humboldt squid are no joke. They can strip down a body quicker than you’d think.
I don’t know if it’s that straightforward. My friend’s kid was bitten by a shark. I don’t know anyone who’s been attacked by a land animal.
Ari said:
I don’t know if it’s that straightforward. My friend’s kid was bitten by a shark. I don’t know anyone who’s been attacked by a land animal.
Most shark attacks happen because they mistake humans for their usual prey, like seals. Surfers in dark wetsuits look like an easy target.
@Vesper
Yeah, I’ve heard that. But what about people who get bitten while standing in shallow water? It only takes one bite to be in serious danger.
Ari said:
I don’t know if it’s that straightforward. My friend’s kid was bitten by a shark. I don’t know anyone who’s been attacked by a land animal.
You’re right, they can be aggressive. It’s not like all sea creatures are peaceful. I just find it odd how some sea animals approach humans in a way land animals rarely do. I might just be seeing selective footage, but it’s been hard to find an answer that explains this well.
They might be scared in their own way. Whales will eat moose, but they won’t touch humans. It’s like they know we’re dangerous.
Maybe it’s the vastness of the ocean that makes them cautious instead of aggressive.
Every animal reacts differently, just like people do. Water animals aren’t always more relaxed; they just show different behavior depending on the situation. For example, mosquitoes cause more harm to humans than any other creature. But if you look at it from another angle, whales or dolphins can be very aggressive when they want to. It’s all about context.
Maybe everything just feels more relaxed in water. Even the most aggressive animal might pause if there’s water involved. Imagine a bear stopping mid-charge at the sight of a kiddie pool—it’d probably jump in for a break! Same with us when we’re headed somewhere but get distracted by a nice pool.