And no, other hikers do not count as 'animals' although....we have all known a few.

Mine is probably the early August morning, solo walking (0630) NOBO in Maine along a lakeside, still wisps of fog drifting up. I heard a noise in the bushes to the right up the slope and thought I had spooked up a deer. I stopped and waited and then a very large BEAVER jumped up on a stump about 3-5 feet away. I never knew they were so big. He had to be over 30 pounds. Glistening, hair looking so heavy, greasy and stiff it was like a porcupine. Nasty hugh yellow teeth. We both stared then I remembered my camera and of course the beaver then took off into the lake 10 feet to the left of me. I have a great shot of the V shape swimming away. But in my mind I will always have that image of just me and nature's glory. I felt sorry for the hikers that were still back lingering over their coffee back at camp.