Every year, there are incidences of curious people looking for unconventional pets, pets that unfortunately end up being not quite what the excited pet owners were expecting. This takes place not only when humans adopt ferocious alligators or tigers, but also when they take home seemingly innocuous lorises and baby chimpanzees.

People tend to forget that, although many wild animals may boast harmless appearances, some animals were not bred to be pets. Humans tend to anthropomorphize animals because it helps them make sense of behavior comparing it to certain needs and actions of a human. Oftentimes, however, it is impossible look at animal actions through a human lens, leading to problematic misinterpretations.

On the flip side, when dealing with dangerous species, the motto “better safe than sorry” comes to mind. But, due to movies and social media, humans may have more than an unhealthy fear of certain animals. While it is advisable to be wary of dangerous species, sometimes caution verges on irrational fear. For example, according to many wildlife sources, snakes generally will not attack humans unless provoked. Yet according to a poll conducted in 2013, the snake is Americans’ most feared animal. When our fear is unfounded, the health of the animal in question can become compromised. If humans resort to hunting species they find frightening, endangerment is a possibility as well.

It is hard to determine how we should perceive any given animal because verbal feedback is virtually impossible. But it is necessary to keep in mind that animals exist outside the mythical pet-killer binary and to be respectful of the fact that animals do not follow human behavioral patterns. Only with this mindset can humans fully appreciate and understand the importance of proper handling and interaction with animals, both in the home and on trips to the zoo.

Mei Yin Wu ‘17, a Crimson editorial writer, lives in Canaday Hall.