In my short time camping, I've come across many animals that could easily impale me or eat me as-is, and it always irks me that they can easily get into my tent, but of all the encounters I've faced, nothing has ever happened.

Does a tent actually protect you from animals?

Namely bears, wolves, mountain lions, and even elk?

I've definitely heard bears around our camps at night, I've heard the rustles of what could be boars, and heard the lumbering footsteps of an elk right by my tent.

I always wonder if they could easily just stomp me, or ram me, or do anything really :X

Any safety tips, or scary stories, both highly appreciated :p

Edit: Thanks for the ton of advice and stories, I read this article on tents and wildlife safety, but I still don't get if there's certain types of tents that I can buy that will provide me with additional safety.