Humans often consider ourselves to be the top of the food chain on earth, and most of the time, we are. Our ability to use weapons and traps has allowed us to hunt animals and defend against threats. But if the playing field is leveled, and you find yourself facing a powerful predator empty-handed, you may realize just how weak and fragile the human body is. Large predators — or a group of smaller ones — can be a serious threat to an individual hiker.

The reality is that most animals are more afraid of you than you are of them, but there are many situations where that may not be the case. If a predator is desperate for a meal, thinks you might be an easy victim, or feels you're a threat to its territory, you'll need to know how to evade the confrontation. And if things get truly out of control, you'll need to know how to fight back.

The following infographic from Alan's Factory Outlet shows five major predators that may threaten humans in North America, and outlines some potential “dos and don'ts” for encounters with each. Click here to download a full-size version of this graphic.

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Written by Patrick McCarthy