I did a bit of research on this.
One perceived villain jumped out at me – sharks because of the movie, Jaws.
I was six years old when Jaws was released, and since then I have been terrified of sharks.
Even now, many decades later, swimming in the beautiful, deep lake lining our front yard makes me nervous.
According to World Atlas, sharks are at the bottom of the Number Of People Killed Per Year By Animals list, below yet equal to wolves.
Irrationally, but not so as it seems I am not the only one with this worry, is the fear of alligators and crocodiles in our Canadian fresh-water lakes.
I have a fear of someone dumping one of these apex predators into our lake.
Think of the movie, Lake Placid (1999). Thanks Betty White for feeding the crocodiles!
I searched the Internet and found lots of information for us East Coast Canadians worried about alligators and crocodiles making their way into our lakes.
Seems they prefer the warmer temperatures and would not survive our winters!
Phew!
These are the things I think of while swimming.
Once I rationalize away that a shark, crocodile or alligator will not grab my legs while swimming, I will image a snapping turtle biting me!
It takes a lot of mindful focus to let go of these irrational fears, and enjoy my swim!
S, 🌻
| Rank | Animal | Number of People Killed Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mosquito | 1,000,000 |
| 2 | Human | 475,000 |
| 3 | Snake | 50,000 |
| 4 | Dog | 25,000 |
| 5 | Tsetse Fly | 10,000 |
| 5 | Assassin Bug | 10,000 |
| 5 | Freshwater Snail | 10,000 |
| 8 | Ascaris Roundworm | 2,500 |
| 9 | Tapeworm | 2,000 |
| 10 | Crocodile | 1,000 |
| 11 | Hippopotamus | 500 |
| 12 | Elephant | 100 |
| 12 | Lion | 100 |
| 14 | Wolf | 10 |
| 15 | Shark | 10 |
