Forest Service Road No. 345, better known as 鈥淪nake Road,鈥� winds for roughly two and a half miles through southern Illinois鈥� Shawnee National Forest, a region home to nearly 60 percent of the state’s reptile species.

And for over 50 years, it has intermittently closed to protect a massive snake crossing.

Each fall, between September 1 and October 30, and every spring, from March 15 to May 15, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) closes the road to vehicles and bicycles. During this time, around two dozen species of snakes slither from their winter dens in high limestone cliffs to their summer feeding grounds in LaRue Swamp.

And a road divides the two habitats.

Because the snakes aren鈥檛 traveling far, the phenomenon is more precisely called a 鈥渕ovement鈥� rather than a 鈥渕igration,鈥� local wildlife biologist Mark Vukovich told the . 鈥� To mitigate vehicle collisions with snakes, the road closure began in 1972 and has been an annual tradition every year since.

Today, however, the movement has become a major attraction for amateur wildlife enthusiasts and herpetologists alike.

鈥淭housands of people each season come here to see it, and just walk,鈥� Vukovich said. He adds the best time to see the snakes is October, as this is when the serpents are 鈥渕ost active in their movement when high temperatures are around 70 to 80 degrees and the low temperatures at night hover in the 50s.鈥�

If you鈥檙e planning a trip to Snake Road, be sure to watch where you step and manage your snake-viewing expectations.

鈥淚t鈥檚 possible you could see zero snakes on your hike, though that鈥檚 more likely if you鈥檙e moving too quickly. You can better your chances of spotting snakes by walking slowly and keeping a close eye on the grass in the center of the road, as well as both edges of the road,鈥� said Vuckovich.

On a very active day, however, Vukovich said he鈥檚 managed to spot up to 44 different snakes in just two hours.

It鈥檚 not just a snake hotspot, either. The USFS describes this area, LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Natural Area (RNA), as one of the 鈥渕ost unique areas in the world.鈥� It鈥檚 also home to over 1,350 species of plants and animals.

“LaRue-Pine Hills鈥� unique physical characteristics dictate and support a rich biodiversity not found anywhere else in the country. In all, the area covers about 4.5 square miles (3,547 acres) and contains 14 natural communities, including forests, wetland, prairie, glade, and barren ecosystems and geologic features,” the USFS.

In addition to snakes, the area is home to 66 percent of Illinois‘ amphibians and over 90 percent of the state鈥檚 mammals.

If you鈥檙e a snake-lover and want to visit LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond RNA during the 鈥渕ovement,鈥� be sure to check out the 聽group on Facebook, where over 6,000 serpent lovers offer insight on trail conditions and share snake sighting experiences. Visitor questions can be directed to 鈥淪nake Sentinels,鈥� special volunteers trained by the USFS to collect data and identify various species crossing the road each year.

Just don鈥檛 try to pick up the snakes yourself鈥攊t鈥檚 prohibited by federal law鈥攁nd be sure to watch your step. Many of the snakes that travel across the road are quite small.

By far the most common species, which accounts for over 90 percent of all sightings, is the venomous northern cottonmouth. Also known as a water moccasin, this darkly colored鈥攗sually near-black or olive brown鈥攕nake isn鈥檛 aggressive, but its bite is fatal without rapid administration of an antivenom.听础 cottonmouth is easily identifiable by its bright white inner mouth, which it flashes at potential predators. Cottonmouths are often patterned and born with bright yellow tail tips to attract prey, but as the snakes age, the tail tips and discernible patterns usually fade to a dull blackish color.

Other snakes seen during the biannual Snake Road movement include nonvenomous plain-bellied water snakes, rough green snakes, and Western ribbon snakes, as well as venomous species like the northern copperhead and timber rattlesnake.

The post Midwest Road Closes Annually for a Massive Snake Crossing. Here鈥檚 How to Spot It. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Bill Hamilton鈥檚 chest freezer probably looks a lot different than yours. While most of us pack ours with groceries, Hamilton stores pounds upon pounds of bison dung in his.

, a professor of biology and research science at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, studies the role bison and other large herbivores play in ecosystems. In a new study published this month, Hamilton explains how bison, and their poop, are the key to a healthy environment in some parts of the U.S.

鈥淗umans have been applying dung as a fertilizer for millennia, so we know it鈥檚 an important fertilizer. Bison are a restoration story, and allowing their grazing in places like Yellowstone provides a 鈥榬eawakening鈥� of the landscape,鈥� Hamilton told 国产吃瓜黑料.

According to Hamilton鈥檚 study, freely roaming bison in Yellowstone National Park鈥攖he only place in the lower 48 where bison have continuously free-ranged since prehistoric times鈥攑lay a pivotal role in the ecosystem. Bison contribute to a healthier landscape by adding nitrogen to the soil, which supports the growth of nutrient-dense plants. The bison鈥檚 impact on the soil, in turn, supports the many animals that call Yellowstone home.

国产吃瓜黑料 of Yellowstone, most bison are domesticated and kept in confined areas, such as in zoos and conservation parks. The in the American West and Midwest could be healthier if bison were allowed to roam freely.

The study is the latest wrinkle in a simmering debate over whether bison herd size should be managed, and whether or not bison should be excluded from certain areas due to concerns about overgrazing. Hamilton鈥檚 research suggests that the eating habits鈥攁nd pooping鈥攐f large bison populations may actually help the landscape in ways previously not fully understood.

鈥淎nimals need to be able to move,鈥� Hamilton told 国产吃瓜黑料 in a phone interview. 鈥淔ree-roaming bison restore ecological processes across a long-distance migration.

A Keystone Species Returns

North America was once home to approximately 30 million grazing bison that ranged across the continent. By 1889, after being hunted nearly to extinction, that number dropped to under 1,000. In 1902, there were just 23 animals. Recent recovery efforts in areas like Yellowstone National Park have focused on returning the giant ungulates to specifically managed areas.

Bison are to Yellowstone National Park what African wildebeest are to the Serengeti, their influence on the land essential, says Hamilton. And like the wildebeest, bison dung packs a nutritional punch when deposited across the landscape.

In areas with heavy bison grazing, Hamilton found plants were denser, shorter, and more nitrogen-rich. Not only did these plants grow as much as they would have if they weren鈥檛 grazed, Hamilton’s team found them to be 150 percent more nutritious than plants growing in areas with no bison.

Weighing more than 2,000 pounds, one bison will poop enough in a typical day to fill a 3-gallon bucket. Annually, each Yellowstone bison will migrate around 1,000 miles, making back-and-forth movements over their route.聽The animals graze on grasses and other plants as they move, which the research team found helps speed up an area鈥檚 nitrogen cycle.

Nitrogen is one of the most essential nutrients found in fertilizers, and it鈥檚 also considered to be a fundamental building block of life. As bison graze, they speed up the nitrogen cycle by consuming plants and eventually returning nitrogen to the soil through their feces.

As bison contribute to the broader ecosystem of Yellowstone, Hamilton’s research team suggests these benefits might be seen elsewhere. With its diverse, largely undisturbed ecosystem, Yellowstone National Park serves as a living laboratory, providing researchers with a unique window into how North American landscapes appeared before the influence of western hunting efforts.

鈥淭his version is a glimpse of what was lost when bison were nearly wiped out across North America in the late 1800s,鈥� said Hamilton. 鈥淲hen we lost bison, we lost a different way that large grazers moved across and used landscapes.鈥�

According to Hamilton, Yellowstone grasslands are functioning better now with large herds of bison than they were in the animals鈥� absence.

The Latest Discovery From Yellowstone Living Laboratory

Since its establishment in 1872, Yellowstone National Park has served as a living laboratory for the examination of natural processes. Its preserved ecosystem allows researchers to study unique opportunities in a relatively undisturbed environment, including reintroduced species once on the verge of extinction. These population shifts can cause what鈥檚 known as a trophic cascade, an ecological process in which a change in the population of a top predator affects other species lower in the food chain, triggering a chain reaction.

Wolves are one such case. After wolves were exterminated from the Yellowstone region in the 1920s, the elk population more than doubled, causing significant damage to the area’s grasses, shrubs, and trees. Following the reintroduction of wolves in 1995, research suggests that elk populations have declined to a more sustainable level, thereby improving the overall health of the ecosystem.

Similarly, beaver populations dramatically declined in much of the park by the mid-20th century due to trapping. Without beavers in the watersheds, streams and river beds eroded. Upon their return鈥攑rimarily after the reintroduction of wolves鈥攂eavers built dams and ponds, slowing water flow and restoring river ecosystems.

鈥淵ellowstone has been a success story and example for ecosystem restoration, and the return of bison is another step towards bringing it back to what it may have been in the past. When bison are given room to roam, they reawaken the Yellowstone ecosystem,鈥� said Hamilton.

The bison study contributes to a growing body of evidence that population control, whether by humans or through natural processes, is a complex and nuanced task.

For researchers like Hamilton, the next challenge lies in finding suitable locations large enough to reintroduce bison, which can then migrate in large numbers.

The post The Key to Yellowstone’s Ecological Health? Bison Poop. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This winter a woman in Steamboat Springs spotted an elk on her property. When she went out to take a picture, the animal startled and ran into a gully where it got stuck in snow up to its neck. Convinced the , she called game wardens, who told her to leave the animal alone. By morning, she鈥檇 gathered friends to dig it out, but it died before they could help.

The story illustrates a longstanding ethical dilemma. Many people, guided by truly good intentions, can鈥檛 stand to see an animal die, especially if their own actions鈥攍ike approaching the elk to take a picture鈥攁re what led to its predicament.聽 Even land managers will occasionally try to rehabilitate an animal that鈥檚 been hit by a car. However, this way of thinking is a slippery slope. A reasonable person could make the case that most frontcountry animal injuries are in some way caused by humans鈥攚hether that鈥檚 due to our encroachment on habitat, or climate change applying new and deadly pressure. But regardless of the cause of injury, wildlife professionals鈥攊ncluding rangers and wardens鈥攁re pretty firm about letting nature take its course, even if that means the animal dies. After all, when one beast falls, another is fed.

It鈥檚 tempting to set such a black-and-white rule. It鈥檚 even more tempting to Monday-morning quarterback. Take one infamous case in which a do-gooder came across a lone shivering baby bison in Yellowstone. He loaded it into the back of his SUV and brought it to the rangers. As it turned out, the baby wasn鈥檛 actually abandoned. But now that it had taken a joyride in a Toyota Sequoia, its mother wouldn鈥檛 take it back, and given the near certainty of its violent death in the jaws of a predator, rangers instead chose to euthanize it. The good Samaritan was fined $119 for his efforts, and his empathy got the bison killed. Critics decried the driver. They also called the case clear-cut, even though it may not have been to the do-gooder at the time.

Other cases are much murkier. My wife worked for years as a field biologist. On one gig, her team was installing small sections of fence around young aspen trees in the backcountry of a national park to cage them off and test how much elk were browsing. But one day a rutting elk scooped up the metal fencing with its antlers where it got entangled. When the cage then flopped onto the elk鈥檚 back, it started, and sprinted out, thinking it was being attacked by some beast it could not see.

What to do? Obviously this was a case where human activity had put the elk in danger. It had no hope of removing the cage from its antlers. The researchers dropped their work and ran after the elk, also radioing game wardens to explain the situation. By the time the wardens arrived with their tranquilizer darts, the elk had wisely waded into the middle of the river鈥攖his is how the animals escape predators. To tranquilize the elk in the river would cause it to drown. So everyone sat down and waited an hour or so. Finally when the elk emerged, they tranquilized it, and were able to remove the metal cage and let the elk go on its merry way. A successful outcome. And yet one might wonder how many federal dollars were spent on this single mission, and astutely note that this kind of treatment must be the exception, not the rule.

So here鈥檚 another case from my wife鈥檚 annals of animal rescue. She and her partner were live-trapping mice for another experiment. But somehow two ground squirrels found their way into the traps. In the cold Montana summer night, they鈥檇 gone into torpor, a sort of short-term hibernation from hypothermia and dehydration. Left to the elements, the squirrels would probably have died. So these young wildlife-lovers took action: They unzipped parkas and each placed a squirrel against their belly to warm them up. It seemed sensible enough. But as they hiked on to the next trap her friend began to wonder aloud. 鈥淚 think there鈥檚 something dangerous about squirrels, but I can鈥檛 quite recall what it is.鈥� He snapped his fingers. 鈥淣ow I remember: They carry bubonic plague!鈥�

The thought of a sharp-fanged and sharp-clawed rodent coming back to life in immediate proximity to their internal organs made the two rethink their plan. So they returned to their truck, and lay the two squirrels on the driver鈥檚 seat where the early morning sunlight through the windshield heated the torpored furballs. They shut the door and went back to work. Returning a few hours later, the creatures were. . . gone? Later when they returned the truck to the yard, the mechanics discovered the squirrels had somehow found their way out of the cab and into the undercarriage. While the mechanic was able to dislodge the animals, it鈥檚 safe to say that this intervention may not have served the squirrels well.

I think it鈥檚 worth discussing how these rescue attempts affect humans, too. Compared with a century or two ago, humans now have virtually no contact with non-domesticated animals. (We have very little contact with farm animals, either.) And I think if we believe that other species have a right to exist, then it might be useful鈥攅ven profound鈥攖o once in a while brush up against them. I don鈥檛 accept the view that 鈥渢he environment鈥� is entirely separate from civilization, or that humans should never disturb or visit it. I tend to think humans can鈥攁nd should鈥攈ave some sort of connection to other species besides donating money to some group that will protect them. Practicing kindness to another species is important. And while I get that it鈥檚 possible that our kindness may actually harm that species, it鈥檚 important to try (within reason), nonetheless. It reminds us that we, too, are part of creation.

Here鈥檚 an analogy. In the modern welfare state, citizens basically agree to pay taxes in order to distribute their wealth to those who need it. This approach has in many European nations. But it also relieves many individuals from the ancient act of charity鈥攐f offering an actual hand to the poor, tired, and downtrodden. So while this technocratic approach produces better results (look at the in the United States compared to Europe) something immeasurable is lost when so many people no longer feel the need to give personally to those in need. When such contributions are just deducted from your paycheck, we become disconnected from the act of charity. We lose the opportunity to give back in the way that that is taught by most world religions, as well as the sort of social-class intermingling that might, in theory, make for better democracies.

To bring the analogy back to animals: wildlife professionals have determined that regular humans should leave nature alone. Let the rangers and wardens figure it out, they say. And yet, some basic part of our humanity is lost if, coming upon a bird with a broken wing, we just walk past, thinking, I must not meddle with the environment. But always deferring to the government professionals can place us in an ethically dubious position. We may end up feeling powerless, unable to perform an instinctual act of kindness. At some level, training ourselves to turn a blind eye to pain has to be bad for the soul.

As for the woman who watched the elk die in the snowdrift near her house: I understand why the warden advised her to leave the animal alone. Elk can be dangerous if they feel they are in danger, striking with their huge hooves and potentially endangering their human rescuers. In any case, the agencies decided to let the elk die, and it did. My point isn鈥檛 to say the agencies made the wrong decision, just that their decision doesn鈥檛 appear to be ethically superior to that of the woman who eventually (and unsuccessfully) attempted to save it.

I also feel that her instinct to try to gather her neighbors to dig out the elk would likely have forged a connection to the nonhuman world that is rare and precious. Remember that humans lived for millennia in intimacy with wild animals, both as hunters and as prey. Maybe we are safer if we stay away from injured animals. But surely something has been lost by rupturing that connection.

Finally, most people who鈥檝e been watching the state of the planet for the past decades are feeling a strong sense of guilt. Humans are causing the extinction of hundreds of other species. It may be easy to ridicule the man who packed a baby bison into his car. It may not have been an educated decision, or even necessarily the right one. But let鈥檚 not belittle his motives.

Mark Sundeen teaches environmental writing at the University of Montana. Got an ethical question of quandary of your own? Send it to sundogsalmanac@hotmail.com.

The post When Is It OK to Rescue a Wild Animal? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Following a trio of moose attacks in Colorado, state officials are asking dog owners in mountain towns to keep their pets on-leash.

The three incidents occurred successive days this past week, in three different Colorado mountain towns. In all three, the people who were attacked were walking dogs when they encountered female moose.

On Friday, May 30, two women walking four dogs off-leash in the town of Fairplay came across a cow moose, which charged and stomped the women, who were able to escape without serious injury by climbing onto a roof. According to a , a neighbor was later able to chase the moose away using a fire extinguisher.

The following day, in the community of Grand Lake, a man and woman walking their dog on a leash were also charged by a moose, which knocked the woman to the ground and attempted to stomp on her.

The man eventually grabbed a firearm and shot and killed the moose. “The moose was shot in self-defense while actively posing a threat to human health and safety,鈥� CPW said in a release.

Give moose PLENTY OF SPACE AND RESPECT, especially during the spring. Female (cow) moose w/ calves can be very protective of their young, they may charge, kick or defend themselves if they feel you鈥檙e too close.

鈥� Colorado Parks and Wildlife (@COParksWildlife)

This moose was subsequently found to have been protecting a calf, which officials euthanized.聽聽鈥淭he decision to euthanize the calf was not easy to make,鈥� said the CPW鈥檚 area wildlife manager, Jeromy Huntington, in a release. 鈥淲hile rehabilitation can be successful in some cases, it’s not a guaranteed solution. In the case of this moose calf, taking it to a rehab at such a young age would not be in the best interest of the animal鈥檚 long-term survival in the wild.鈥�

The CPW release noted that 鈥渨ildlife taken to a rehabilitation facility is primarily intended for the purpose of returning the wildlife to the wild,鈥� and that legally, wildlife may not be held for more than one year.

Grand Lake has been the site of serious moose attacks in the past. In 2006, the town鈥檚 former mayor, Louis Heckert, suffered fatal head injuries after being attacked by a moose while walking to church.

A third moose attack occurred on Sunday, June 1, in Steamboat Springs. A woman was returning from a walk with two leashed dogs in River Creek Park, near the Steamboat Ski Resort, when she was attacked and trampled by a cow moose. The woman was saved by a passing paddleboarder, who was himself injured while scaring the moose away.

According to a local report, the paddleboarder was released with minor injuries, but the woman was in critical condition after the attack, and was later airlifted to a hospital in Denver. Investigating CPW officers later found a moose with twin calves in the area. They believe the moose was startled by the woman and her dog.

This moose and her calves were later relocated out of the park and outside city limits. 鈥淎fter monitoring the moose and her young over the last 48 hours, we determined they were very comfortable in the area and not going to move on their own,鈥� Justin Pollock, assistant area wildlife manager,. 鈥淲hile this area is perfect habitat for moose, the risk not only to their safety in a populated area, but to the safety of people, was too high, which is why we chose to relocate them.鈥�

Moose encounters in Colorado are fairly common, but historically attacks and injuries are rare, particularly inside city limits. CPW has reported only 22 injuries from moose attacks in the state since 2019. Most of these occur during calving season鈥攆rom mid-May to early June鈥攚hen cow moose are giving birth to their young, and behave more aggressively than normal. Another time of increased risk is the breeding season, late September through November. Bull moose often become more territorial and aggressive during this period.

CPW maintains a webpage, , offering advice for staying safe while recreating in moose habitat, particularly during calving season. Cow moose often hide their offspring to protect them from predators but remain nearby, so even if an adult moose appears to be alone, it could very well be protecting a calf out of sight. CPW recommends choosing a trail with good visibility, and making lots of noise when recreating through thick vegetation to avoid startling a moose.

Signs of moose aggression included laid back ears, raised hairs on the neck, a lowered or cocked head, swaying back and forth, licking of the snout, and rolling eyes and ears. But in general, if a moose has reacted to your presence, CPW says, you are too close. In the event of a charge, attempt to place obstacles, like trees or boulders, in between you and the moose.

Walking with dogs off-leash raises risks. The scent and appearance of a dog is often similar to that of wolves, one of the only natural predators of a moose. CPW鈥檚 release says 鈥渕ost moose conflicts involve dogs,鈥� and recommends, particularly when hiking near riparian or willow habitats, where moose are often found, that all canines remain leashed.

鈥淥ff-leash dogs can venture off-trail, surprising hidden moose calves or cows. Cows will, in turn, chase retreating dogs, which can bring the moose in contact with humans,” the agency warns.

While many wild animal attacks occur as a result of human provocation and irresponsibility, CPW public information officer Rachel Gonzalez told The Steamboat Pilot that in some cases, a moose attack can simply be bad luck, and can occur even if an individual is following all recommendations.

鈥淭hings happen even when we follow all of the rules,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n places like Steamboat, it鈥檚 important to be extra vigilant when you鈥檙e recreating. Maybe that means keeping your dog on a shorter leash 鈥� maybe don鈥檛 walk or jog with headphones. I know we all want to listen to our favorite playlist, or that audio book we鈥檝e been sucked into, but you are probably going to hear an animal before you ever see the animal. Moose are really big, but they can blend in so well.鈥�

The post A Flurry of Moose Attacks in Colorado Prompts a Warning to Dog Owners appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Animals are awesome. Not only are they cute and furry, but interacting with four-legged creatures has major health benefits. Just petting a dog can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Interactions between people and animals can boost levels of oxytocin, the same feel good hormone that鈥檚 present in mothers bonding with their babies.

Not all of us can take care of a pet 24/7, but we still long for interaction with them. That’s why these resorts and sanctuaries that help save animals are so magical鈥攖hey want you to come hang out with them.

These are my five favorites where you can interact with different species, from alpacas to kittens, in serene settings, helping to further the cause of animal rescue while boosting your own spirits.

1. Ojo Santa Fe

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Puppy Patch might be the happiest two words in the English language, and you can visit this wonderful place at , a full-service spa and resort on 77 acres, located 15 miles southwest of downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition to early-morning yoga and thermal-pool soaks, Ojo partners with Espanola Humane, a local animal shelter, to foster rescue puppies, and you can frolic with them in the resort鈥檚 grassy Puppy Patch (open daily from 9:30-11 A.M. and 5-6 P.M.). All of the puppies are up for adoption.

Ojo is also home to a flock of silkie chickens, a breed of hen that is known to be particularly soft and playful. The resort hosts a daily Chicken Chat in the outdoor coop, where you can learn about the birds and feed them fresh greens and veggies. Rumor has it that the chickens actually purr like cats when you pet them.

The 77-acre property also offers some solid high-desert hiking, with two miles of trails traversing arroyos and rock outcroppings while delivering views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (overnight start at $298).

2. Red Robin Song Sanctuary and Guest House

New Lebanon, New York

You don鈥檛 know charisma until a 700-pound pig sidles up to snort hello. That鈥檚 what happens at , a rescue outfit for domestic and farm animals on 85 acres bordering the Berkshire Mountains of upstate New York. Red Robin Song鈥檚 impressive array of 鈥済uests 鈥� also includes yaks, rabbits, goats, a donkey, and a mini horse.

鈥淢ost people have never seen animals like these in person before,鈥� says Red Robin鈥檚 founder, Lisa Robinson. 鈥淲e rehabilitated orphan beavers for a while. So many animals need to be rescued and need a forever home.鈥�

Currently, Red Robin houses almost 50 different animals. Guests to the farm get a full tour that includes education about the drawbacks of a meat-based diet and commercial animal farming, while also spending time with many of the friends on site.

鈥淵ou get a chance to meet the animals you might normally eat,鈥� Robinson says. 鈥淎nd we respect the animals and the kind of interaction they want.鈥�

For instance, some rabbits are skittish and only want to be admired from afar, and a few Tibetan yaks that were rescued from a meat farm aren鈥檛 quite ready to mingle with guests. But the goats are super social and many of the dogs are psyched to hike with you on the sanctuary鈥檚 85-acre property.

Visitors can come for the day or stay overnight at the , a three-room vegan bed and breakfast (from $162 a night), where proceeds directly support the rescue endeavor. In addition to the property鈥檚 immediate 85 acres of ponds, pastures, and woods, the adjacent 447-acre offers more than two miles of hiking trails.

3. Atlanta Alpaca Treehouse

Atlanta, Georgia

The packs a mighty punch in a small space. The property, which sits in East Atlanta in the midst of the South鈥檚 largest city, is only 3.5 acres, but it鈥檚 loaded with four alpacas, four llamas, and two guanacos. (A guanaco is a South American camelid similar to a llama, but typically only found in the wild.) All of the animals were rescued and on hand to interact with guests at the property鈥檚 treehouse, made from reclaimed wood and tucked into a lush bamboo forest.

鈥淲e started with chickens, and they were the gateway livestock to these other animals,鈥� says Kara O鈥橞rien, owner of the Alpaca Treehouse. 鈥淟lamas and alpacas are so smart. They鈥檙e just under dolphin intelligence. They communicate clearly with me and each other. They鈥檙e like big, teenaged smart cats. They鈥檙e hilarious. Each has radically different personalities.鈥�

Stay at the treehouse and you can watch the herd of llamas and alpacas from your window, feed them baby carrots out of your hand, or take a yoga class with them. 鈥淥ne of our llamas, Figgy, actually goes into the yoga room and does yoga. She鈥檚 obsessed with it,鈥� O鈥橞rien says.

All of the proceeds from the one-bed Treehouse (from $385 per night) go to rescue more llamas, which O鈥橞rien then works to place in permanent homes.

4. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Kanab, Utah

in Kanab, Utah, is the largest no-kill sanctuary in the country, housing more than 1,600 animals, ranging from cats to parrots to pigs, on a 3,000-acre property in Utah鈥檚 canyon country 45 minutes south of Zion National Park. Visitors can take the free daily Grand Sanctuary tour to learn about the ins and outs of caring for and rehabilitating the animals, or download the to go on a self-guided tour. You can also volunteer to work in one of the care centers, hanging out with cats, picking up after bunnies, or tending to pigs.

If you feel a connection with a particular dog, you can even schedule a hike together on the sanctuary鈥檚 three miles of trails, which traverse red rock canyons and creeks, where you鈥檒l find overlooks, Pueblo ruins, and a cave filled with water on adjacent BLM land. A stream runs through the property, making for a fun and splashy adventure.

The sanctuary has a welcome center, cafe, and store, and a variety of overnight lodging if you want to spend more than an afternoon. is a 40-room hotel in downtown Kanab with a fenced-in dog park, splash zone, and slide-out pet beds (rooms from $133), and the sanctuary just updated its 18 on-property (from $61 a night).

If you score a room or RV site, you can even host a sleepover, giving a dog or cat a night away from communal living and you an opportunity to see if you鈥檙e compatible for full-time adoption. Proceeds from lodging help support the rescue mission.

5. Animal Place

Grass Valley, California

This 600-acre sanctuary in Grass Valley, California, which focuses mostly on farm animals, has rescued or re-homed almost 30,000 hens alone, not to mention numerous roosters, goats, turkeys, pigs, dogs, and even pigeons. Currently, more than 300 farm animals live at , which sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills in an area that鈥檚 most famous for its gold-mining history.

Guests can take a guided 1.5-hour tour of the facility ($20 donation, in advance) to learn more about the animals and the rescue process, while also spending time with some of the more social residents, like goats, sheep, bunnies, and pigs. Drop-in visitors can embark on a self-guided tour of the sanctuary on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. (but that does not allow contact with the animals). Keep an eye out for special events, like a Paint 鈥檔鈥� Sip, where you drink bubbly and paint one of the cute farm animals.

Animal Place runs a with enough bedrooms to host six to 10 people for stays up to a week. It鈥檚 a single-family home with three bedrooms and a central kitchen and living room. You can rent it by the bedroom (from $75 a night) or the entire house ($750 a night). Each stay comes with a free 30-minute tour where you鈥檒l meet up to two species of animals. The guest house is currently being renovated, but is expected to be open for bookings in October.

6. Golden Dog Farm

Jeffersonville, Vermont

is not an animal rescue, and has no overnight option, but if you like hanging out with adorable dogs in a beautiful setting, put this small farm on your list. The place is a family-owned maple-syrup facility (also producing honey and fruits) in Vermont鈥檚 Green Mountains 10 miles from Stowe Mountain Resort.

If you book a visit in advance at Golden Dog Farm, you can interact with the dogs. Yes, the dogs are popular and you need a reservation. There are two options; sign up for the Golden Retriever Experience ($80), which is essentially a playdate with at least 10 doggy cuties in a pasture on the farm where you can play ball, frolic, or just snuggle (while getting your share of social-media images).

Or book a slot for the Friday and Saturday night Wines and Wags, where a Master Sommelier discusses grape growing in Vermont while guests sample local wines鈥攁nd then you get to play with the dogs. Yes!

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national-parks columnist. The best part of his day is walking his own rescue dog every morning.

For more by Graham Averill, see:

The 10 Best Bike Towns in America, Ranked

8 Surf Towns Where You Can Learn the Sport and the Culture

The Best Ways to Get 国产吃瓜黑料 in West Virginia

The 10 Best National Parks in Canada

The post You Can Stay On Site at These Animal Sanctuaries appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

An intrepid spirit is all a good adventure dog truly needs鈥攂ut having the right gear can help pups and their guardians enjoy the journey. Canine hikers can鈥檛 always advocate for themselves, so we prioritized products that put safety, comfort, and function at the forefront. For all the joy they give us, our favorite companions deserve the best.

At a Glance

• How to Shop for Your Dog
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers (and Pups)

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

NiteIze NiteHowl Max Rechargeable Safety Necklace – Disc-o Select

Sizes: One size (fits 12- to 27-inch neck diameter)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great visibility at night
鈯� Rechargeable
鈯� Once you cut to size, there鈥檚 no adjustability

The best pet products give loving owners peace of mind, and this luminescent collar accomplishes that. Whether your dog likes to explore the campsite after dark or stroll the neighborhood before bed, the NiteHowl Max allows you and others to see your pet from a distance.

Whereas smaller collar lights might get lost in your dog鈥檚 fur or be invisible from certain angles, the NiteHowl Max鈥檚 wide band is designed to stay on top of especially fluffy fur, completely encircling your dog鈥檚 neck in colorful light. Set the light to one of three glowing colors, or turn on Disc-o mode if you want to get the campground party started. The 10-hour runtime was sufficient for weekend trips, and the light is rechargeable via micro USB.

The cut-to-fit band is durable, weather-resistant, and can accommodate dog necks from 12 to 27 inches in diameter. But if your pup is still growing, take note: Once it鈥檚 cut, the collar鈥檚 size can no longer be adjusted.

Orvis RecoveryZone Couch Dog Bed

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Pros and Cons
鈯� Supportive, recovery-optimized foam
鈯� Pricey

After a long day exploring the mountains, your dog deserves a comfortable place to rest his head. Our pick for active and old pups: The RecoveryZone Couch Bed, boasting four inches of medium density solid foam topped by a 1-inch-thick Serene Foam layer to cradle weary joints and muscles so dogs can rehabilitate faster.

Bolsters on three sides give your pup a place to rest his head (it also comes in lounger style without bolsters), and a recycled polyester cover is easily removed for machine washing. Though it takes a while before it needs to be washed. 鈥淚 have a wet and often muddy dog, and dirt just fell off this bed,鈥� reported one tester.

When our furry tester tore his meniscus playing ball, the RecoveryZone provided the perfect landing pad while he healed from his third surgery.

Skida Dog Bandana

Sizes: S, M, L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easily slides onto your dog鈥檚 collar
鈯� So cute
鈯� Can interfere with ID tags on your dog鈥檚 collar

Skida鈥檚 new line of dog bandanas brings the colorful prints the brand is known for to your pup, with a handful of dog-specific design features. With a channel sewn into the top of the bandana, the fabric slides right onto your dog鈥檚 collar, eliminating the need to tie it around their neck. A reflective, high visibility patch also adds a layer of safety when playing at night.

The quick-dry polyester fabric with a water-repellent finish stood up well to all varieties of puppy romping. 鈥淚t shed sand and water as my dog ran, rolled, and dug in a sandbar on Oregon鈥檚 Columbia River,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淓ven when she splashed after sticks the water-repellent coating held up, and the bandana was dry by the time we made it back to the car.鈥�

After weeks of continuous wear, it still hasn鈥檛 required a wash. Best of all, it comes in many of the same prints as Skida鈥檚 human hats, neck gaiters, bandanas, and headbands, so you and your best friend can match on your adventures.

Atlas Pet Company Lifetime Harness

Sizes: S, M, L (fits dogs 15 to 130 lbs)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Minimalist yet tough
鈯� Quick to fasten
鈯� Hair can collect on the nylon webbing
鈯� Harness doesn鈥檛 always sit centered

Atlas Pet Company鈥檚 simple, durable harness had a grip on every single tester. (Their dogs, who would rather have been cruising leashless, thought it was just OK.)

With its tough magnetic buckle and range of reflective colors, the Lifetime Harness pulled the most praise for its tug-discouraging design that loops around the torso and over the chest. 鈥淚t was super easy to use, and looks great, too,鈥� said one tester, noting that the lightweight, minimalist design saved her thick-coated dog from overheating (and cut down on uncomfortable rubbing points) on long hikes.

Testers liked that the sturdy nylon webbing was supple right out of the box and, combined with the ability to adjust all four straps on the harness, moved right along with their dog.

Ruffwear Trail Runner Dog Running Vest

Sizes: XS, S, M, L/XL (fits dogs with chest girth from 22 to 42鈥�)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Adds just enough control in a lightweight design
鈯� Testers with squirrely pups wished for a front leash connection for extra control

Ruffwear鈥檚 canine vest, with room for two included 500 milliliter water flasks (360 milliliters in the XS size) and a collapsible bowl (not included), saved human testers from carrying extra weight and made their dogs look like furry ultra-marathon competitors.

Those with less experienced pups praised the vest鈥檚 secure, highly-adjustable fit, which provided much-needed control when Fido spotted a bunny on one jaunt. (We do wish it also had a top handle for lifting our dogs in emergencies.) Breathable fabric kept dogs cool on hot days, and a loop to attach a light offered security for post-sunset runs. Neon colors are a bonus safety feature for those who like to take their jogs to the sidewalk, though testers who did more trail running would鈥檝e liked more color options.

The complete Trail Runner system鈥攕old separately鈥攊ncludes a stretchy leash and pared-down belt for humans, with space for a water flask, keys, and phone. 鈥淪uper comfy and functional,鈥� one regular trail runner said. 鈥淎 really excellent design.鈥�

White Duck Outdoors Dog Bed

Sizes: L (36鈥� x 27鈥� x 4鈥�), XL (40鈥� x 28鈥� x 4鈥�)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Roomy and sturdy
鈯� Two available sizes are too big for really small dogs

There was something about this humble bed that acted as a doggie tranquilizer. 鈥淢y dog has never been a big bed user, but as soon as this arrived, she curled up and took a nap,鈥� said one Washington-based tester.

Maybe it was the cushiness that also offered a little give鈥攃ourtesy of a polyester fiberfill that repurposes plastic bottles鈥攆or dogs who like to burrow. Dogs seemed to like the supportive cotton-polyester blend fabric, while humans appreciated the removable cover with its water-repellent coating for its grime- and claw-resistance. 鈥淥ne of the better beds for outdoor use,鈥� another tester reported.

Wilderdog Backpack

Sizes: S, M, L (fits dogs with chest girth from 17-34鈥�)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Roomy
鈯� Accommodates dogs of many sizes (even a Great Pyrenees)
鈯� Dogs may need time to get used to it before hitting the trail

Testers were jealous when their pals donned Wilderdog鈥檚 jewel-toned backpack, made of water-resistant cotton-poly fabric in four shades. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so pretty. The design and aesthetics are top-notch,鈥� a New Mexico-based tester said.

It鈥檚 got all the bells and whistles of a top-tier pack: velcro tabs to keep straps from dangling, a handle on top for emergency lifting, aesthetically pleasing patterned accents, and a poop bag dispenser.

But it鈥檚 what鈥檚 on the inside that impressed us the most: seemingly bottomless space. Testers managed to stuff all their pooches鈥� backcountry needs within: kibble, treats, collapsible bowls, several water bottles, and layers for chilly nights. Despite its size, testers reported no slippage or awkwardness thanks to four easy-to-dial-in adjustment points.

Wilderdog Sleeping Bag

Sizes: One size, 36鈥� x 28鈥� when zipped shut

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lighter, warmer, and less pricey than competitors
鈯� Stands up to even the stinkiest of dogs
鈯� Just one size (won鈥檛 fit large dogs)

We would do anything for our dogs, but we simply refuse to share a sleeping bag with them after they鈥檝e spent a long day hiking, crossing creeks, and rolling in suspicious substances. But testers were pretty sure their pals didn鈥檛 mind snoozing solo when they rolled out Wilderdog鈥檚 bag.

This cocoon is stuffed with synthetic fill to a pleasingly chunky thickness, and with a cozy, quick-drying cotton lining, our California-based tester confirmed her dog was 鈥渟nug as a bug鈥� within. Its hefty water-resistant polyester outer makes it a no-brainer to lay out as a campsite resting pad too. (Our Great Pyrenees tester was too big to get inside, but happily lied on top.)

At 1 pound 13 ounces, it鈥檚 certainly not for ultralight hikers, but it鈥檚 lighter than other brands鈥� more expensive offerings and rolls down to the size of a large loaf of bread in its included stuff sack. For the peace of mind that our dogs weren鈥檛 shivering all night in alpine environments, we found it more than worth any extra pack space.

OllyDog Flyer Disc

Sizes: One size, 8.25鈥� diameter

Pros and Cons
鈯� Packable without sacrificing a satisfying glide
鈯� Your dog might want about 50 of them

Dogs love a classic frisbee for a reason: it catches some sick air so they can live out their Air Bud fantasies. But the discs鈥� rigid materials aren鈥檛 very packable and can be hard on dogs鈥� teeth over time. Softer discs are usually weaker fliers, but not so for the OllyDog Flyer Disc, our testers reported.

The lightweight and packable circle comes in 11 colors and is easier on the gums after repeated chomps and games of tug-of-war. Constructed of repurposed plastic bottles, it floats on water for dogs who like to do a good lake leap.

And it may be soft, but it鈥檚 durable: 鈥淚t鈥檚 holding up impressively considering the abuse it gets,鈥� says one tester. Two New Mexico-based testers said it 鈥渇lew very well鈥� and let our dogs 鈥渓eap high in the air.鈥� Just like Air Bud would have wanted.

How to Shop for Your Dog

Before you go on a dog gear spree, grab a tape measure and jot down these key numbers for your pal: weight, length from neck to the base of the tail, neck circumference so you can still insert two fingers鈥� width under the tape, and circumference of the widest part of the chest. Sizing varies widely among canine brands so you鈥檒l always want to vet your choices alongside actual measurements.

A lot of the rest is highly individualized. Ask yourself about your dog鈥檚 unique needs and pain points. Has your dog yet to master the art of walking normally on a leash? Look for harnesses with the option to leash on the front of the chest, which offers more control. Do they love getting in the water or the mud? Water-resistant and quick-drying materials are your friend. A lot of dog gear is made of polyester or a blend, so you鈥檒l want to read the description to make sure a water-repellent coating or waterproof outer is included.

For leashes and collars, fastening points are key: Do you find the leash clip or collar buckle easy to use and secure? We鈥檝e found that leash clips sometimes play better with certain leashes and harnesses (and the rare few come unclipped!), so give new combos a test run in an enclosed space.

For new harnesses or backpacks, pay attention to potential irritation spots; we鈥檝e found that a harness with too much material near the armpits is a no-no for a lot of dogs.

Along with the right sizing, designs with multiple attachment points should also help avoid slipping and rubbing. A good dog pack should have those points at the neck, chest, and belly.

If there鈥檚 one thing all our testers took from the process, though, it鈥檚 that good poop bag holders and dispensers are worth their weight in gold. If you find a poop bag holder design that you love (or, say, a backpack that comes with one built in), grab it and never look back.

How We Test

• Number of products tested: 15
• Number of canine testers: 4
• Breeds represented: 4
• Ages of dogs: 11 months to 8 years
• Miles hiked: 400+
• Nights spent camping: 24

Our test focused on products that would help adventurous dog owners and their best friends enjoy nature together, from essentials like leashes and harnesses to accessories like trail booties and car seat covers. In order to choose our favorite pet products, our canine testers and their owners took to the parks, trails, lakes, and campgrounds and played hard.

Dogs are great durability testers鈥攖hey roll, dig, chew, zoom, splash, jump, and nap more in a day than their human counterparts can fathom. Any product that broke, appeared to make our pets uncomfortable, was ill-fitting, or failed to prioritize safety was eliminated from the test. Items that offered peace of mind, held up to hard use, and maximized fun got the final tail-wag of approval.

Meet the Testers

is a senior editor at Backpacker where she specializes in skills and survival stories. An avid hiker, skier, and mountain biker, Zoe has recreated across the U.S. and beyond, often with Juno, her three-year-old border collie mix, by her side.

is a writer and contributing editor at聽翱耻迟蝉颈诲别听magazine. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her partner and an Australian cattle dog-Chihuahua-pug mix named Henry who looks like the dog a child would draw if you asked them to draw a dog. Henry has an esteemed history of testing for聽国产吃瓜黑料 Gear Guides and most loves doing zoomies at the park or splashing in backcountry streams.

Meet the Pups

Lilo is a one-year-old golden retriever. She loves chasing balls and swimming near her home in Portland, Oregon. She frequently gets the zoomies at every campsite she visits. Her favorite treat is cheese sticks.

Juno is a three-year-old border collie mix who is happiest chasing a mountain bike or sniffing wildflowers along the trails near Bellingham, Washington. She loves her human friends more than anything, especially if they鈥檙e throwing a frisbee.

Moose is a two-year-old chocolate lab who lives to chase leaves and sticks while hiking near Washington, D.C. But nothing gets his tail wagging like a delicious bone treat!

Murphy is an eight-year-old lab who loves hiking, canoeing, and paddle boarding around Maine and New Hampshire. He has had three knee surgeries which allow him to keep doing the fun outdoor activities that he loves.

The post The Best Outdoor Gear for Your Four-Legged Trail Buddies appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Singer-songwriter David Lindes found his way into running with help from the most unexpected teacher: a bull moose. Growing up in Guatemala David had learned to ignore his body. Thanks to beatings by his adults, his body was a source of pain, and not much else. So he didn鈥檛 play sports, he didn鈥檛 dance, he found out later he wasn鈥檛 even walking correctly. But as an adult, as he started to heal, he began to learn about his body. What it could do, how good it could feel to run and hike through the canyons near his home. Then, one day, he encountered a family of moose. And they put his newfound trust in his body to the test.

The post Wild Animals Taught Me to鈥� Run! appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

boasts a newly renovated bathroom and kitchen, easy access to the Appalachian Trail, and a private patio that looks out onto the forests of Garrison, just an hour and change north of New York City. But the Airbnb鈥檚 most popular amenity may just be an orange cat named Cinamen who loves to hike with guests.

Cinamen went viral earlier this month after . 鈥淲ent with my partner upstate and the AirbnB host鈥檚 cat took us for a guided hike along the ,鈥� wrote Cocioba alongside photos of Cinamen stalking through the moss, sitting on Cocioba鈥檚 chest during a break, and perching on the edge of a puddle. 鈥淎pparently this is what she does with every guest. She would complain when we took a wrong turn off the trail and knew the way back. Amazing cat. Would apocalypse with.鈥� The post went viral; as of the time of writing, it has been viewed more than 1.6 million times.

While Cinamen鈥攁ctually male, owner Trisha Mulligan says鈥攎ay be new to the internet, he鈥檚 not new to the trail by any means. A quick scan of Foxglove Farm鈥檚 reviews turns up more than a dozen mentions of the cat: 鈥淲e were thrilled to have her sweet kitty [Cinamen] walk with us on the trail for a bit so we got to check off hiking with a cat from our bucket list,鈥� one guest wrote. 鈥淲e had an amazing time with [Cinamen] who went on a hike with us, coolest cat on earth,鈥� wrote another. 鈥淸Cinamen], the cat, accompanied us on the hike and was a reliable tour guide,鈥� a third noted.

At times she judged the crap out of us for being too slow. I got a camera roll full of judgement, lololol

鈥� Sebastian S. Cocioba (@ATinyGreenCell)

鈥淚 call him the concierge, because he just loves people,鈥� Mulligan says. 鈥淵ou know, each color, they have different personalities. And there鈥檚 something about an orange cat that鈥檚 very social, and we have a very social cat.鈥�

Mulligan, an herbalist and ethnobotanist, has lived in Garrison in a house above the apartment she rents on Airbnb, for 鈥渁bout 10 years鈥� since moving there from Brooklyn with her family. Cinamen came into the picture 8 years ago when she adopted him and his sibling as kittens from an animal shelter. Although his littermate has since passed, Cinamen thrived as an outdoor cat in Garrison鈥檚 woods, hanging out with Mulligan in the garden or following her or her children onto the Appalachian Trail via a roughly 100-yard path over a laurel-covered ridge that Mulligan through her property. Other adventure cat owners have had to put a lot of time into training and acclimating their cats to the outdoors, but Cinamen took to it naturally, Mulligan says.

鈥淲hen we鈥檙e going out of our house, he follows me,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou know, like, when you鈥檙e gardening and your cat jumps on your back? He鈥檚 always with me when I鈥檓 in the garden, which I love.鈥�

Most of Mulligan鈥檚 guests seem to agree; some, she says, come back repeatedly just to visit the cat.

鈥淭here鈥檚 this one guy, this Russian guy who comes back regularly. He never leaves reviews, but he always sends me pictures鈥攈e鈥檚 a photographer鈥攁nd he books because he wants to be with Cinamen and he wants to do the trail with Cinamen,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e had other people say, 鈥極h my God, we were hiking and lost, but Cinamen wouldn鈥檛 let us get lost.鈥欌�� (Downside: If you鈥檙e hoping for Cinamen to join your tramily, you may be out of luck. While Mulligan says that Cinamen sometimes stays out long enough with hiking guests to worry her, he rarely spends the night outside.)

Cats, of course, aren鈥檛 known for their consistency, so if you鈥檙e thinking of booking a stay at Foxglove, it鈥檚 worth mentioning that there鈥檚 no money-back guarantee Cinamen will be interested in your hiking plans; one reviewer noted that she was 鈥渏ealous of other guests who got to meet a cat.鈥� But overall, your chances are pretty good鈥攁s long as you鈥檙e willing to respect his pace.

鈥淚 tell people, he鈥檚 gonna slow you down because he鈥檚 gotta look at stuff and he鈥檚 gotta pose,鈥� Mulligan says. 鈥淚鈥檝e had people that are hiking that really do slow down and be with him, which is kind of my thing.鈥�

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We think of New York as having a rat problem, but cats are doing just as much damage. They hunt staggering numbers of birds, they carry parasites that cause birth defects, they spread diseases that wash into the ocean and kill sea otters and seals. NYC鈥檚 cat population is exploding. Reporter Meg Duff investigates what, if anything, might be done about that.

The post On the Front Lines of NYC鈥檚 鈥楰ittenpocalypse鈥� appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

In a scene straight out of Crocodile Dundee,聽Australian cattle rancher聽Colin Deveraux, survived an attack from a ten-foot long saltwater crocodile in mid-October. The story was first reported by ABC Australia. Deveraux, who is in his mid-sixties,聽spent a month in Royal Darwin Hospital and told local media that he鈥檚 lucky to be alive. The key to surviving his attack? Deveraux bit the croc on its eyelid.

鈥淚 managed to have a bite,鈥� he said.

Deveraux was on his way to fence some land by the Finniss River south of Darwin, Australia, when he stopped beside a billabong鈥攁n Aussie name for an oxbow lake. 鈥淭he water had receded and it was down to this dirty water in the middle. I took two steps and the dirty bastard [the crocodile] latched onto my right foot,鈥澛爃e told ABC News Australia.

Deveraux said the crocodile shook him like a rag doll聽and attempted to pull him into the water. He tried to kick the reptile in its ribs with his free foot. When that didn鈥檛 work, he used his teeth and bit it back.

鈥淚 was in such an awkward position,鈥� said Deveraux, 鈥渂y accident my teeth caught his eyelid. It was pretty thick, like holding onto leather, but I jerked back on his eyelid and he let go.鈥�

Freed from disaster, Deveraux ran to his car with the crocodile chasing behind him, but the croc gave up after about 15 feet. The whole attack, Deveraux guessed, lasted about eight seconds.

He used a towel and a rope to stop the bleeding, and his brother drove him 80 miles to the nearest hospital, where he continues to receive treatment. Deveraux said the biggest problem the doctors encountered was clearing all the bacteria from the billabong out of his wound. The pond water was filled with mud and animal feces, and puncture wounds are notoriously difficult to clean. 鈥淚t [my foot and leg] was opened up bad and over ten days in a row, I think, they had to flush it,鈥� said Deveraux.

Crocodile attacks are uncommon in Australia, but there have been several incidents in recent months. A man in Queensland when he was bitten from behind by a juvenile crocodile. The croc bit him in the head, but the man was able to reach back and lever its jaws open far enough that he was able to escape.

Earlier in May of this year, Australian authorities found the remains of inside a 13-foot crocodile on the nearby Kennedy River.

Deveraux is not the first Australian to use an innovative method to escape a crocodile. Val Plumwood survived a harrowing crocodile attack in Australia鈥檚 Kakadu National Park in 1985 by anticipating the animal鈥檚 so-called 鈥渄eath roll.鈥� The National Museum Australia shared the events in a thrilling essay which you can

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