Oh yeah they're amazing critters. I have to check my first reaction all the time, and am constantly asking kids at school to be more compassionate to insects - they don't care, they're teenagers.
Ask me how I reacted getting a leech on my hand in the Otways today though....I've never tucked socks into trousers so fast.
😆chuckling at the leech factor - I go NOWHERE in the jungle without salt in my pocket! Might be known to snitch those little restaurant packs occasionally specifically for the purpose. I had an undetected leech on my neck one day way back when in the Strezlecki Ranges, and was unaware of my blood soaked tshirt until I returned to my B&B and nearly freaked the guy out. LOL.... And I thought I was just tired from the long hike and had not even considered major blood loss.
Compassion for bugs and critters starts with understanding their function.
Oh yeah they are such wierd little things the way they hop foot it along the forest floor comin' atcha... sooo creepy! But you gotta love even them, right?
Aaaaahhh - checking for leeches now (see my last post)