I was watching Reno 911 the movie the other night with my friend Jason, and there was a part in the movie where the Reno Sheriff Deputies had a call about an alligator in a pool. The deputies had NO idea what to do about it, which was comical to watch; they ended up leaving it in the pool for someone else to deal with. Now, if you have seen the show on Comedy Central, you probably know that the show is based in Reno, Nevada (hence the name of the show); another thing you might know is that the state of Nevada does not have native alligators.

This made me start thinking, (scary, I know, but it happens). I was thinking about how weird it would be if we had alligators in Missouri. Which lead me to start thinking about how different areas of the world have varying types of wildlife, weather, climate, ect. This in turn made me wonder how I, or any other person, would be able to would adapt being taken out of the surroundings that they are accustom to, and be taken some place completely different and try to survive.

Consider this for example: I am from the Midwestern part of the United States. This makes me familiar with temperate forests, moderately clean air, fresh water, weather changing at the drop of a hat, and wildlife such as deer, coyotes, raccoons, turkeys, and snakes (i.e. water moccasins, and garter snakes). So if I were to be lost out in the wilderness around this area, my "natural instincts" if you will, would be more in tune with Mother Nature, therefore making me more likely to survive.

Now consider, what would happen if I was taken out of my environment, and taken to… oh I don't know… um how about Australia. Australia is defiantly completely different. This particular area of the world is chalk full venomous snakes (i.e. king brown snakes, and tiger snakes), desert and tropical ecosystems, fresh and salt water areas, crocodiles, and there are even native people (Aborigines) that still live outside, but that's only a handful of differences I'm not used to being around. I would more than likely die if I were lost out in the wilderness in Australia because I am not familiar with that area. And knowing my luck, it wouldn't be something quick like a snake bite; no, it would probably be dehydration or something that basically would torture my body until I'd finally just kick the bucket. Maybe I should brush up on my survival skills just incase!

In saying this, I'm very happy where my family and I reside. I don't live somewhere where I don't encounter super dangerous things, that I notice on a daily basis...only the occasional brown recluse or copperhead! But then again, I'm sure people that live around things that I would be scared to live around they would probably call me a wiener! I am content in my habitat and am glad to know that if I go to the edge of a pond a giant lizard wouldn't pop out and eat me. Familiarity is a very good thing.

Peace.