Dangerous Animals of Washington State

Dangerous Animals

Animal encounters that result in injury are unlikely in Washington State, but do pose a real risk, especially if you do not take basic precautions. 

Basic Rules

• Observe wildlife from a distance

  • All wildlife is protected in the park. Park regulations require that all visitors maintain a distance of at least 50 yards (half the length of a football field) between themselves and any park wildlife. Do not approach wildlife. If an animal approaches closer than 50 yards, move away to maintain the minimum required distance of separation.

• Never feed wild animals

  • This includes all park animals: birds, squirrels, marmots, deer, elk, otters etc., not just bears. Learning to beg for and/or rely on human foods is extremely harmful for all wild animals, big or small. Be careful not to leave wrappers, crumbs, or other food trash after picnicking or snacking on the trails. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Feeding wildlife can also increase risks to you and other visitors.

• Keep children and pets close

  • Keep children within your immediate sight at all times; keep pets on leash or in carriers.

• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times

  • This includes times when animals are mating, nesting, raising young, and during the winter.

• Avoid setting up camp on or near game trails

  • Hike and camp away from obvious animal paths, water sources, and signs like droppings or claw marks.

• Store food properly and keep your camp clean

  • Cook and eat away from your sleeping area. Store your food by locking it in your vehicle or using a bear-proof storage container when in frontcountry campsites. When camping in wilderness areas of the park, all food, garbage, and scented items such as toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and chapstick, must be stored in bear canisters, hung from park bear wires, or hung at least 12 feet high and 10 feet out from the nearest tree trunk. Bears and most other wildlife are active 24 hours a day; have all food and scented items secured 24 hours a day.

• Do NOT run away from predators

  • They are wired to chase prey and fleeing will trigger attack response

  • You can't outrun them

Bears

Washington State has bears.  We will encounter bears on outings.  These creatures are potentially dangerous, but if certain precautions are taken, it is very unlikely we will have a dangerous bear encounter.

Washington has Bears

• Grizzly Bears 

  • Restricted to northeast Washington's Selkirk Mountains ecosystem

  • North Cascades Ecosystem from Interstate 90 north to the U.S.-Canada border is also a federally-designated Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone - but Grizzlies have not been spotted recently 

• Black Bears 

  • Common throughout Washington

    • Also in suburban areas

  • Not in the interior of the arid Columbia Basin

Storing food in bear country

Food must be stored away from camp and in a way that it makes it too difficult for bears to get to it.  We discuss this in our Leave No Trace Courses.  Food must either be appropriately hung, or placed in a bear-proof container.

Bear Country Gear

Troop 60 carries gear recommended/required by managers of the areas we visit.  This may include:

• Bear Canisters

• Bear Bags

• Bear Spray (note that this is banned in some parks)

Resources

• WDFW Black bear (Ursus americanus)

• WDFW Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) 

• Leave No Trace 101 Course Notes (3+ hours)

• National Parks Service - Bears 

• North Cascades Bear Safety

• North Cascades Grizzly Bears 

• Olympics Black Bear 

Black Bears (Ursus americanus)

Black Bears are commonly seen in the Cascades.  They will generally leave you alone as long as you keep your distance. 

Safety:

• Don't feed the bears: Keep a clean camp and use proper food storage

• Stay at least 150 feet or about four bus lengths (40 meters) from all bears

• Keep your kids between adults and don't let them run ahead

• Keep your pets on leash and don't let them run ahead

• Stay aware of your surroundings

• Travel in groups and stay in your vehicle.

• Travel in groups; Do NOT approach bears!

If you see a Black Bear:

• Identify yourself by talking calmly so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.

• Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won't be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.

• Pick up small children immediately. Slowly wave your arms above your head and tell the bear to back off. Do NOT run or make any sudden movements. Do not make any loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal.

• Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. 

  • Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.

  • In Bear Country, food must be hung or stored in bearproof container

• Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.

• If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears.

• Do NOT Run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals.

• Do NOT climb a tree. Black bears can climb trees.

• Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.

• Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.

• Fight back if attacked.

Resources

• nps.gov/olym/learn/nature/black-bear.htm 

• wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/ursus-americanus 

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos)

Grizzly bears are currently present in northeast Washington’s Selkirk Mountains, and are infrequently documented in areas near the Canadian border in northern Stevens and Ferry counties. They have not been confirmed in the Washington North Cascades since 1996, and are considered a state endangered species. 

There is talk about reintroducing grizzly bears in Washington State.  That should make wilderness travel a bit more interesting. 

Grizzly Bears are EXTREEMLY DANGEROUS to humans.

Safety

• Before you go:  Be sure you know about any special food storage regulations.

• Pack smart: Avoid bringing smelly foods, like bacon or tuna, or scented toiletries. Dry, sealed foods are lighter and less aromatic. Bears have an excellent sense of smell, so bring at least 30 feet of rope, storage bags, and carabiners for hanging food.

• Use bear-resistant containers: A good method for storing food and other smelly items that attract bears, these containers can be purchased or rented from outdoor shops. Coolers, backpacks, wooden boxes, and tents are NOT bear resistant!

• Be alert: Learn to recognize and watch for signs of bears in the area, like tracks, scat, and diggings. Use binoculars to scan the areas ahead. Bears often use the same trails hikers do and are attracted to sources of food like berry patches or carcasses.

• Hike smart: Stick together in groups, rather than hiking alone. Groups of three or more hikers have rarely been injured by bears. Avoid hiking after dark, or at dawn or dusk, when bears are most active. Use extra caution in places where visibility or hearing is limited such as bushy areas near streams.

• Alert bears to your presence: If a bear hears you coming, it will usually avoid you. Make a habit of talking, singing, blowing a whistle, or clapping your hands so that a bear knows you are in the area.

• Camp smart: Avoid camping where there are signs that bears have been in the area, like scat and tracks. Do not leave food or other bear attractants in the open or in tents. Don’t burn or bury garbage – hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and four feet out, or store it in a bear-resistant container. Cook at least 100 yards from your sleeping area, and do not sleep in clothes you wore while cooking or eating.

• View and photograph all wildlife from a distance: You should never come closer than 100 yards to a bear. Never approach a bear, even if it looks calm. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens for close-ups.

• If you go fishing: Don’t leave fish entrails on shorelines of lakes and streams; sink them in deep water. Failing to dispose of entrails increases the danger to yourself and others using the area after you. Refer to camp smart section for cooking information.

See a Grizzly?

• Get your bear spray ready 

• Do not run from the bear. Bears can run up to 35 mph and running may trigger an attack. Climbing a tree is generally not recommended as an escape from an aggressive bear, as bears are adept climbers and may follow you up a tree.

• Stop, remain calm, and assess the situation. If the bear seems unaware of you, move away quietly when it’s not looking in your direction. Continue to observe the animal as you retreat, watching for changes in its behavior.

• If a bear walks toward you, identify yourself as a human by standing up, waving your hands slowly and calmly above your head, and talking to the bear in a low voice.

• Don’t throw anything at the bear, which the bear could interpret as a threat or a challenge.

• Deploy bear spray if needed

  1.  A short burst if the bear gets within 25 feet

  2. Continuous spray if the bear is on the verge of making contact.

• If the grizzly bear makes contact, follow these tips: 

  1. Leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD

  2. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck

  3. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over

  4. Remain still until the bear leaves the area

  5. Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks

  6. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously

     • Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.

Resources

• wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/ursus-arctos 

• nps.gov/noca/grizzly.htm 

• "Staying Safe Around Bears" 

Cougars (Puma concolor)

Cougars are in areas we frequent.  You may never see one, but they see you.  Seriously, we have seen them on trail cams walking by our campsites at night. 

Preventing an Encounter

• Don’t hike or jog alone

• Keep children within sight & close to you

• Avoid dead animals

• Keep a clean camp

• Leave pets at home

• Be alert to your surroundings

• Use a walking stick

Safety:

• Keep your kids between adults and don't let them run ahead

• Keep your pets on leash and don't let them run ahead

• Stay aware of your surroundings

If you see a Cougar:

• Do not approach.

• Do not run, it may trigger a cougar’s attack instinct.

• Stop, stay calm and do not turn your back. 

• Face the animal, stand upright, talk calmly and firmly to the cougar and give it a way to escape if you can.

• Do all you can to appear larger. For example, open your jacket and raise or wave your arms.

• Pick up small children or pets immediately so they won't panic, flee, or make rapid movements.

• Do not approach, back away slowly

• Keep eye contact

• If the cougar becomes more aggressive, become more aggressive toward it. Convince the animal that you are not prey, but a danger to it.

• Fight back if attacked.

If Cougar is Aggressive

• Don’t turn your back or take your eyes off it

• Remain standing

• Throw things

• Shout loudly

• Fight back aggressively

Resources

• WDFW - Cougar (Puma concolor) 

• Olympics - Cougar 

• Olympic Cougar Safety Pamphlet 

• North Cascades - Cougars 

Resources

• WDFW - Mountain Goat 

• Hiking Safely With Goats Video 

• Olympics - Wildlife Safety 

• Enchantment Area Wilderness Permits 

• nps.gov/noca/learn/nature/mountain-goats.htm 

• web.archive.org/web/20241011055454/https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5426581.pdf 

Snakes

Most of the Untied States has venomous snakes.  That said, we do NOT have venomous snakes on the Western side of the Cascades, other than what you would find at a zoo or in a personal collection.  East of the Cascades, we have the Western Rattlesnake.  

Venomous Snakes

The Western Rattlesnake (Croatus viridis) is the only venous snake naturally found in Washington State and only lives east of the Cascades. 

All rattlesnake bites should be considered life threatening. When someone has been bitten, time is of the essence. If possible, call ahead to the emergency room so anti-venom can be ready when the victim arrives.

NOTE: a rattlesnake head can still bite hours after the snake has died and even after the head has been removed from the body.  A dead rattlesnake is still dangerous. 

Western Rattlesnake

• Found under rocks and bushes

• Hibernate (brumation) late October to April

• April and September/October - active at dusk and dawn as the snakes move between hibernation spots

• Summer - rattlesnakes move to summer foraging areas

  • Active during the day when temperatures are moderate 

  • Switch to nocturnal activity during the hottest months of the year

  • When not active, they shelter under shrubs and rocks

• Venomous and potentially dangerous snake

  • Rarely strike unless harassed, handled or stepped on

  • Any encounter within the striking range could result in a bite

  • Don't Mess with Jake!

Snakebite First Aid

Venomous Snake Bite treatment is discussed in our Wilderness First Aid Course.  Please review this information prior to heading East of the Cascades or out of state.  Treatment may require antivenom, which means the victim needs to be sent to the hospital.  Keep them calm and carry them out.  All other treatments are generally more harmful than helpful.  

Do NOT use a tourniquet, suck out the venom, cut the bite site or use a taser.  These antiquated treatments cause more harm than good. 

If a rattlesnake bites a person or a pet, do the following:

• Keep the victim calm, restrict movement, and keep the affected area below the heart level to reduce flow of venom toward the heart.

• Wash the bite area with soap and water.

• Remove any rings or constricting items; the affected area will swell.

• Cover the bite with a clean, moist dressing to reduce swelling and discomfort.

• Get medical help immediately. Make sure the doctor who treats the victim knows how to treat snakebites and, if not, call the Poison Center at (800) 222-1222.

Things not to do:

• Do not allow the person to engage in physical activity such as walking or running. Carry the victim if they need to be moved.

• Do not cut or suck the wound, do not apply ice or cold packs to the wound, and never use a tourniquet.

• Do not give the victim stimulants or pain medications, unless instructed by a physician.

• Do not give the victim anything by mouth.

• Do not raise the bite area above the level of the victim’s heart.

Resources

• Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Pitviper Envenomations in the United States and Canada

Poisonous Animals (when eaten or touched)

Since hunting is no longer an acceptable activity in Scouting, wild animals should not be consumed on a Scout outing. 

Animals of Concern

• Salamanders 

  • Most are poisonous to some extent

  • Rough-Skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa)

    • Secrete tetrodotoxin, a powerful neurotoxin

    • wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/taricha-granulosa 

  • Northwestern Salamander (Ambystoma gracile)

    • Mildly poisonous

    • wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/ambystoma-gracile 

• Toads

  • Woodhouse's Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii)

    • Secrete a white toxin that can cause nausea, irregular heart beats and sometimes may cause death if ingested

    • wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/bufo-woodhousii 

  • Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)

    • Contain a mild toxin called bufotoxin that is produced in their skin

    • wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/anaxyrus-boreas 

Bugs

Bug bites cause far more disease and deaths than animal bites each year. 

Ticks

Ticks transmit more diseases than any other animal or bug in the US. 

• Western Washington

  • Not common 

  • Blacklegged tick is the most common species

• Eastern Washington

  • American dog tick 

  • Rocky Mountain wood tick

• Tick-Borne diseases in Washington State

  • Few cases each year

  • Babesiosis

  • Lyme disease

  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever

  • Tick-borne relapsing fever

  • Tick paralysis

  • Tularemia

• Tick-Borne diseases in other States may be more prevalent

Species

• Western Black-legged Tick (Ixodes pacificus)

  • Can transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease

  • Can transmit pathogen that causes anaplasmosis

  • Mainly found in Western Washington as well as along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains

• Western Dog Tick (Dermacentor similis)

  • Lives primarily in eastern and parts of southwest Washington

  • Vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia

• Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni)

  • Found primarily on the eastern side of the state

    • Vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia

• Softbacked Ticks (Argasidae)

  • Ornithodoros hermsi

    • Vector for tick-borne relapsing fever (Borrelia hermsii)

    • Tick-borne relapsing fever is usually linked to sleeping in rustic, rodent-infested cabins in mountainous areas

    • Feed at night and remain attached for a very short time

      • You may not be aware you were bite by a tick

Mosquitos

Mosquitos are the world's deadliest animal due to transmission of deadly diseases.  That said, they are mostly just annoying in Washington State.  They do transmit West Nile Virus here, which in rare cases can be fatal. 

• 40 different species in Washington State

• Mosquito-Borne diseases in Washington State

  • West Nile virus -  in rare cases can be fatal

  • Western equine encephalitis

  • St. Louis encephalitis

Spiders

There are two spiders of medical significance in Washington, the black widow spider and the yellow sac spider. Although spiders usually are not aggressive, bites can happen when they become trapped or accidentally disturbed. 

Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus species)

Black widow spiders are common to eastern Washington. A few small populations of black widows exist in western Washington. Adult female black widows have dangerous venom, but will often try to escape rather than bite, unless guarding their eggs. Female black widows are normally shiny black with a red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen. The marking can also be yellowish-orange and its shape can vary, resembling an hourglass, two marks, or a single dot. The body of an adult female is relatively large, about a half-inch long.

Black widow spiders prefer dark undisturbed areas, such as woodpiles, bales of hay, water meter boxes, under eaves, and fences. Indoors, they may be found in undisturbed, cluttered areas in basements, crawl spaces, or unused areas of garages. Female black widows build messy-looking webs in or behind objects in secluded and protected locations.

Black widow spider bites are a significant health risk for the very young, elderly, and those with high blood pressure and compromised immune system.

Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium species)

Yellow sac spiders are found in eastern Washington and in the Seattle area. Their body is small, about a quarter- to a half-inch long. Yellow sac spiders can be yellow, white, or even greenish, and their legs and upper body darker than the abdomen. These spiders can bite when trapped against a person's skin in clothing or bedding.

Yellow sac spiders are mainly garden-dwellers in the warm season, but can make their way indoors in the fall. They move quickly, and are good climbers. Indoors, they are often found along walls and ceilings. Instead of webs, yellow sac spiders build small silken sacs where they hide during the daytime. Outdoors, the sacs may be found under planters, firewood, and in curled up leaves. In homes, the sacs can be found in the corners of walls and ceilings, behind shelves and pictures, and along windowsills.

Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis)

Hobo spiders are not considered dangerous as once believed. Hobo spiders are shy, retiring, and reluctant biters, despite their other common name, the aggressive house spider. They are not aggressive and try to escape when disturbed. Hobo spiders can be found throughout Washington. There is no evidence that hobo spider venom has caused skin necrosis or necrotic wounds in people.

• We DON'T have Brown Recluse Spiders in Washington State

• When to seek medical attention

  • Suspected a Black Widow Spider bite

    • Neurotoxin

    • Can cause severe pain or life-threatening symptoms

  • Symptoms don't improve

Bees and Wasps 

Bees and wasps kill more people than any other animal in the US.  This is due to life threatening allergies to their venom.

Avoid bees and don't get stung. 

Adult medical lead should have epinephrine autoinjector on wildness outings. 

Scorpions

We do have scorpions in Washington State, East of the Cascades.  They are generally not considered dangerous.

Basic Protection Against Bugs

• Insect repellant - DEET or picaridin (others are ineffective or short lived)

• Clothing treated with permethrin

• Long sleeved shirts and pants

• Mosquito nets are fantastic

Resources

• Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Tick-Borne Illness in the United States

• DOH - Mosquitoes 

• DOH - Ticks 

• DOH - Spiders 

Rabies

Many animals in are capable of transmitting rabies.  In Washington State, bats are only know mammal to carry rabies.  In fact, every State except for Hawaii has bats with rabies.  Almost every county in Washington State has rabid bats.

Human Rabies is Fatal.  Although it is rare to see people contract rabies in the United States, exposures with bats or other mammals must be taken seriously. 

Any exposure with a bat will need a workup by a medical provider.  Bats have razor sharp teeth and bites are not always noticed.  There are many cases of rabies transmission from bat to human with no signs of a bite. 

Treatment of Animal Bite

• Stop life threatening bleeding as needed (generally not a issue with bats)

• Wash wound with soap and water and ideally Betadine (povidone-iodine) for 10 minutes

• Seek medical care

Resources

• DOH - Rabies

• DOH - Medical Provider Assessment of Rabies Exposures