If I had to pick one unwritten rule of society that people just have to follow, then “don’t mess with wild animals” would be it.

People out there, like that moron who tried to pet a lion, dare to take their chances with Mother Nature’s creatures, without realising they’re biting off more than they can chew.

This Australian woman found out the hard way, and it nearly cost her her finger.

CNN reports that Melissa Brunning and her friends were yachting in Dugong Bay off the north Australian coast late last month. They decided to hand-feed a group of tawny nurse sharks that were swimming around the boat.

All was going well until one of these creatures came forth. Roll tape:

Not as gruesome as that tiger shark attack back in April, but it’s still bloody terrifying.

Even Brunning’s description of the attack, as reported by News24, is enough to give unsympathetic people the heebie-jeebies:

I think the shark was in shock as much as I was … the only way I can describe it is this immense pressure and it felt like it was shredding it off the bone.

Thanks for the lovely mental images.

Despite sustaining cuts, a fracture, an infection and a torn ligament on her finger, Brunning still has her digit. Oh, and her life, of course. Not only that, she said that she made a goof by feeding the sharks in the first place:

It’s not the shark’s fault at all, but it could have been a lot worse.

This is not a shark attack, this is just a blonde doing a stupid thing … When you’re in the water, they’re top of the food chain, it’s their domain. We’re not meant to be in the water, if we were we’d have gills.

Profound statement right there, folks.

Seriously, people, just leave the damn animals alone.

We don’t another situation like this or the dead giraffe debacle from happening again.

[sources:cnn&news24]