quote:

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This was an auto accident with a difference. A two-metre-long saltwater crocodile leapt out of a roadside culvert and slammed into the side of a passing car, authorities said Thursday.

The crocodile died in the collision and was given to local Aborigines, who ate it, said Garry Lindner, crocodile management officer at the Kakadu National Park in northern Australia. "It was probably startled and it just leaped in the wrong direction once it heard the vehicle coming," Lindner said.

[...]

The reptile was able to leap with "all four feet off the ground" because it was still young and agile, Lindner said.

Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to seven metres in length.

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We saw one case I did understand, though. We were driving a wild back road in the Highlands. Up ahead of us we saw a small flock of white deer - delicate, lovely critters who suddenly turned and headed away from us into the forest. But just as we were regretting startling them, a stag with huge antlers bounded right into the path in front of us - luckily, far enough in front that we could stop. He stood there for a moment and then he bounded away into the forest.

I have no doubt they enjoyed the venison. My late mother did better than me, though, she got a MOOSE. She had actually managed to stop without hitting it when it took offense and charged her car! Nailed her twice, bang on the radiator, then wobbled off shaking it's head, and suddenly dropped...the police said they would take the meat to the closest hospital...

I've twice had cats get off the road then turn and race back, but I managed to miss them both times.

One winter night a few years ago, I put on the brakes when I spotted a deer crossing quite a ways ahead,then braked even harder as the second and third crossed just in front of me - the fourth managed to catch my hubcap slightly. That didn't stop it the slightest from disappearing into the woods.