I've found that Skyrim is very good at startling me, and I should clarify that I'm not complaining about this.

The surprises have ranged from bear traps in a dungeon to a Springroot Earth Mother hiding behind a pillar, just waiting for me to walk past.

I guess I become so occupied with the beauty of the world that it leaves me very susceptible to be startled.

This is so true.

Yesterday I crapped myself after stepping on a bear trap, totally unexpected!

i'm afraid of frost trolls myself
anyway, welcome to the forums have a fhisy stick http://images.uesp.net/c/c4/Fishystick.jpg if you haven't gotten one already

I crapped myself sneaking in a dungeon and accidentally tipped over a shovel to the floor that i didnt notice

Guilty as charged~

Skeever hiding in the bushes.

Mage traps get me every time. I've learned to look for bear traps and trip lines, but those mage circles are... nasty. *BOOM* Me and my cats jump 10 feet.

Then there are moments I'm enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings and a dragon roars because it's literally inches from me. I whip around, see open jaws, pee my pants, then run away before the jaws close. For scaring me like that, I reward it with iron in its diet.

Then there are the good jumps of excitement. Just yesterday, in Riverwood, I happen upon a tree stump and saw ants! Ants!!! It was so shocking, I yelped with glee. That made my cat jump too.