Deal with racoons, turtles, and furry little Goombas.

1985 - the year Coca-Cola tried New Coke, which lasted for about a month before realizing that was a massive marketing fail. In one of the largest marketing wins of all time, Super Mario hit the shelves a couple of months later, and continues making new games to this day.

Featuring animals real, imaginary, and historical, with some friends and some foes, we'll use Mario to talk animal safety.

For this game, you'll be reminded about dog bites, learn about dangerous PA animals, and identify all types in Pennsylvania.

Complete all requirements to earn 3 Barry Bucks.

You'll be entered to win: a Nintendo Coaster Set

Game Levels

Activity 1: Be Safe from Dog Attacks

We talked extensively about dog bites and attacks during last Safety Week, but again dogs/animals were the highest rated topic on the survey, so let's learn some more!

First, let's do a review - this is a new video but should be familiar information.

Don't approach a dog with a hand over its head, be a tree, don't run.

Defending yourself from a dog attack (2:51)

Activity 2: ID other Dangerous Animals in PA

Last time in animal safety, we concentrated on the domestic dog, as that is statistically the animal you are most likely to be damaged by in Pennsylvania (excluding bugs).

It's also the only animal that has garnered us recorded workplace injuries (again excluding bugs).

Dogs are basically our Goombas in Mario.

However, there are other dangerous animals in Pennsylvania that you should keep an eye (or ear) out for.

Click through the tabs below to learn about some of the most common.

The Red Fox

With a sound described like a baby's cry and/or a woman in pain, red foxes can be unnerving, but they are rarely dangerous (unless you are a smaller animal).

I'm including them on this list because they are sadly frequent carriers of mange in this area. This skin condition is transmittable to you and your pets. Steer clear of them and you should be fine. However, if you or a pet is bitten or rubbed upon, you should contact your doctor/vet.

The video on the left will let you hear their scream.

Snapping Turtle

Snapping Turtles are best known for their powerful jaws - so intense that they can amputate a human finger, though the danger is generally in the infection their bite can cause.

Look for them living in marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and slow streams.

These reptiles are usually docile but will become very aggressive if removed from the water. One of the best ways to calm an aggressive individual is to place it back into the water, where it can feel safe - use a shovel, not your fingers!

Black Bear

Being from Alaska, I love bears - especially those featured in Fat Bear Week each year. But, sadly, they are dangerous, despite how "friend shaped" they are.

Adult black bears range from 5 to 6 feet tall and weigh 200 to 600 pounds. They have flat backs, small heads, rounded ears, and non-retractable claws.

Black Bears are naturally active in the evening and early morning but sometimes alter their activity patterns for food availability. They‘re easily attracted to garbage, bird feeders, and coolers. Make sure NEVER to feed them, as this will make them unafraid. That's dangerous for you and the bear.

White Tail Deer

The reason we consider White-tailed Deer to be dangerous in Pennsylvania is because they’re so prevalent near roads and highways. They frequently cause car accidents because they often run across roads at night or dusk.

Adults range from 63 to 87 inches long and stand between 31 and 39 inches tall at the shoulder.
Their coloring is tan or brown during the summer and grayish in winter, with white on the throat, chest, and the underside of the tail. The males have antlers which they shed in the winter.

Rats

Most people consider rats of any species to be pests, both in the agricultural market and in homes and cities (I personally like them also - they play basketball!).

Like other rodents, Black and Brown Rats can carry pathogens in their bodies. While they may not appear sick, they can spread infections like toxoplasmosis, typhus, and bubonic plague. Avoid handling wild rats or rats found in residential, and be especially careful of their bite!

Also, never handle a rat's droppings, as they can also carry infection.

Elk

The Elk is one of the largest animals in Pennsylvania. Adults can get to 7.5 feet tall and weigh between 400 and 800 pounds. Their coloring is light brown with a dark brown shaggy mane from neck to chest in winter and reddish-brown in summer.

You should never approach Elk because they are dangerously unpredictable. In fall and winter, males are belligerent and territorial while they search for mates. Then, in the spring, females become the aggressors as they look after their young.

They also sound... like birds.

Activity 3: Identify PA Wild Animals

Pennsylvania has an incredible amount of wildlife right in our backyards.

According to WildlifeForEveryone.org, Pennsylvania has 480 species of birds & mammals!

For your game, you're going to try to identify some.

You'll watch a video ("The Log 2" - below), and fill out a PDF as you identify the animals.

You have a choice of whether you want to ID birds or have them pre-filled.

Grab your identification paper below!

You will submit it for your cash-in.

PDF with Birds Filled In

Totally blank PDF

Just for Fun: Watch a Playthrough!

Absolutely no pressure to watch this, but if you're curious about what the original Super Mario looks like, here's a playthrough on Youtube!

Ready to Earn Barry Bucks?

Once you have completed all of the required activities, click the button below to turn in the form to earn your bucks!

Get my Bucks!

Note: We do not claim to have created Super Mario.

Mario is a registered trademark of Nintendo.