5 Animals You Don't Want to Run Into - In Arizona

Bull Elk Walks Nearby to Cars

#5 - Elk

You may think of an Elk like an over-sized deer. They are kinda like cousins. Some call them wapiti. That's the Native American word. It means "light-colored deer." They really don't give much of that Bambi effect either!

Are they dangerous though? Well, if you're driving on an Arizona road at night - could be! A herd of Elk can suddenly start to cross. You could run into one!

You could damage your car - it could even cause you bodily harm. Read: auto accident trauma! Warning signs are placed throughout areas of Arizona. They'll be located where Elk typically like to cross the road.

Other Elk dangers lurk! A freak accident happened - not in AZ. In Oregon by a hunter getting impaled on an Elk's antlers! Read More> 

My son, Sean, took the photo of the Elk you see here. He shot it with his cell phone from his truck, during his working travels. He was in an area outside of Flagstaff Arizona.

Although an Elk may not come to your mind as a scary animal - if you come across one - use caution!

#4 - Brown Recluse Spider

Are you creeped out by spiders? I feel like they have their place. They do capture & eat worse insects, after all. But - there's a limit to my friendly feelings!

Brown Recluse Compared to a Penny

Take this one - the Brown Recluse. Stay away if you can! That is, you must notice it... It likes to hide! 

Get the hint in its name? It is reclusive. It likes places such as the back corners of a shed. Or underneath some items sitting by the trash cans. Maybe even in the back of a closet - yikes!

The problem is its venom. The poison slowly eats away at your flesh. It's like a flesh-eating monster! Miniature sized! As the venom spreads your flesh basically rots. To stop it, they must surgically cut away the area. You end up with a big hole in your arm or leg - or wherever you were bitten. (The film-maker below offers an immediate-use product to avoid that drastic situation. Can't offer a review!)

Just be aware in hidden areas! They'll bite if trapped. They'll run if they can:  

(Video Source: www.brown-recluse.com/spiderinfo.html)

#3 - Cougar

Do you love cats? Big cats? Maybe - Maybe not... This one is beautiful - for sure! But it's not the cuddly kind. Although it can purr like a house cat! It also loves the night life! The Cougar's primary US residence is throughout the Western states & an area of Florida. 

The Cougar

You might have heard its other names. Mountain lion, puma, and panther. They live solitary lives - except during family times. Babies stay with their moms for about 2 years.

I've never seen one in the wild. When our son Sean was middle school age, we took a road trip. Went on back roads through the desert between Florence and Winkelman Arizona. Picnicked by the roadside in a Mesquite shaded pull-out. 

Sean took a walk to a near-by rocky hill & climbed up. He backed down urgently after looking over a rock ledge. He excitedly told us: there was a cougar lounging just over the way! Rather than go look ourselves - we continued down the road!

We undoubtedly weren't in danger. But since the late 1800s documented cougar attacks on people in North American number about 145. With growing populations, just under 50 happened in the past 20 years. A little more than 20 were fatal.

They're excellent hunters. Cougars stay hidden until the last moment, when they pounce. They're at the top of the food chain. They really don't have any enemies - except for people with guns! Or more recently cars on freeways! Just try not to share their hunting night-life!

#2 - Diamondback Rattlesnake

This animal will put the scaries into you! I've "run into" a few of them. The babies are the most dangerous. Haven't yet learned to control their venom dosage - just shoot it all out! Babies don't necessarily warn you. Horrors!

In the Spring, about 25 years ago I saw a few baby Diamondbacks at the entrance to a den. It was on the first acre property we bought in the desert outside of Tucson. 

Before that, I'd encountered one while hiking on a trail into the Rincon Mountains. It rattled a warning - thankfully! I backed away carefully - & nervously - as it slithered away.

I saw another Diamondback recently. We just renovated the Tombstone home we bought. It's from 1946 - very exciting! I asked the carpenters to save a panel of shiplap they removed to make a new closet. They put it on the ground in the backyard.

The Rattler in Our Backyard - He was Quite Mad!

The DirecTV installer came over a few weeks later. Working in the yard, he stepped on the shiplap board - and heard a rattle! He nearly screamed! He came inside yelling "I almost got bit by a rattlesnake!"

We called Tombstone Animal Control. It turned out to be the local Marshall. He came with 2 orange jump-suited guys - prison workers! Together they lifted the panel. That D-back was mad! It reared back & rattled! 

They got the pole with the loop (Snake Stick) & caught the rattler. Put it in a lidded bucket. Took it away for release out in the Tombstone Hills - away from residents.

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake could be "run into" during warmer weather. They hibernate when it's cold - in Winter. They live throughout the Southwestern US. Rodents are one diet choice - so that's their nice value! But we don't want to accidentally get in their way!!

You can see it has distinctive striping on its tail end - before the rattles. The head is triangular in shape. It has triangles (diamonds) along its side. Its coloring blends into its habitat - so you might not see it at first.

It's probably the most aggressive poisonous snake. It accounts for more venomous snake bites than any other in the US. The venom causes great swelling, hemorrhaging & cell destruction.

It's important to quickly get medical help if you're bitten. Also to stay calm (easier said than done!) so the venom doesn't spread more quickly with your increasing heart beat! With fast treatment survival is the norm.

Remember that the Rattlesnake isn't out to get you. It doesn't always warn with a rattle, but it will if it can. Just be aware if you're hiking on a trail! And don't put your hand into places where they're sleeping!

#1 - Most Scary Animal - The Black Bear

The Black Bear is the only bear in Arizona, you'll hope to not encounter. It's smaller than a grizzly, but it's still big enough! From 5 to 7 feet tall when up on their hind legs. And massive!

They're usually on their own. They only mate every other year. Often 2 cubs are born. Sometimes more. A mother stays with her cubs until the Spring of their first year. Black bears will group together when feeding. A very limited & restricted hunting season is allowed in Arizona. Read More>

Black bears typically like forested, mountainous areas. In Arizona, that would be elevations above 4000 to 5000 feet. Yet they've been seen down in desert areas closer to 2000 ft. There's been sightings near Tucson and Phoenix when rainfall has dipped. That affects their food supply. They roam further then in search of opportunities. Speaking of eats - they know to search out campsites for food. Be aware! They're fast learners for easy pickings.

Black bear diets are pretty varied. Plants, berries, nuts, insects, fish, small & larger animals. They're carnivores & herbivores. They have long, sharp front claws, as well as hefty teeth for biting. 

With hibernation from November through March, you won't likely see them in winter. But once they're out & about - caution is the word. Attacks have happened. Arizona Game & Fish has advice for residents:

• A reminder that feeding any animals outdoors on your property can attract bears
• Garbage attracts them - so keep it secured in buildings or consistently removed
• Your dog or outdoor lights hasn't been demonstrated to effectively deter bears
• Bears can climb - so a fence is not effective unless made non-climbable & at least 6 ft. high
• Have a 50 yard clearance of brush & cover around your house
• If you see a bear in your yard - make noise from inside only, to scare it away. Keep your door closed!

For anyone hiking or camping, other safety advice from Arizona Game & Fish:

1. If you see a bear ahead in the distance, go a different way
2. If a bear approaches you, do not run or play dead - try to stay calm & give the bear a chance to leave while backing away slowly. Give the bear a chance to leave.
3. If the bear doesn't leave, stay calm, continue backing away.
4. If the bear continues getting closer to you - make yourself appear as large as possible! Stand upright & tall! Wave your arms around. If you have a jacket or other items - wave those around. Make loud noises - whistle, yell, shout "go away bear!" If nearby to such items - bang together pots & pans, etc.
5. If nothing works, and you're attacked - you must fight back as best you can! With all your might! Fists - sticks - rocks - aim for the top of its snout/nose or eyes! Use E.P.A. registered bear pepper spray!

I don't want to scare you off from enjoying nature. People enjoy the outdoors without incident all the time. But please be aware - so that you and your family stay safe!

This is Grams - Signing Off  For Now!