[gjpolly]

It's true that most Aussies live in southern states and have never experienced dangerous animals.

However, people living in north QLD, NT and WA are definitely in nature's territory. Crocodiles are now inhabiting almost every waterway, dry conditions make taipan snakes and spiders a real threat, and the rainforest really does has dangerous plants and animals. As an FNQ resident, most locals no longer swim at the beaches.

I think your perspective depends on where you live.

[tomhoward]

I wasn’t/am not disputing that, just going on the data that indicates that even in those states, fatalities and severe harms are still relatively rare, compared with other causes. But yes, I fully accept that people living in parts of those states/territories (and others too) need to be more careful. I’ve visited FNQ several times and certainly don’t swim in the sea, at least without nets, or full body protection when snorkeling at the Reef.