Colorado is an absolutely wonderful place to live; our outdoor recreation is second to none, the scenery will take your breath away, and the people are super friendly. Oh, and did we mention that The Centennial State experiences nearly 300 days of sunshine? It’s splendid. However, all this natural splendor does come with a disclaimer: there are some very dangerous animals here. Colorado’s rugged mountains are home to myriad wild animals that can pose serious threats. So keep reading, and be sure to steer clear of these nine dangerous animals found in Colorado:
- Colorado Bighorns
The Good Brigade/DigitalVision via Getty Images Colorado’s majestic state mammal, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, is actually quite dangerous. If a bighorn feels threatened, they’ll charge… and keep charging. Known for their obstinance, if you encounter a bighorn in the wild, be sure to give them plenty of space.
- Mountain goats
David C Stephens/Moment Collection via Getty Images Similar to bighorns, distance is key with mountain goats. These animals are deceptively strong, and they lead with their horns. You’ll most likely encounter these creatures while hiking in the Colorado mountains, but as long as you keep your distance, you should be fine.
- Prairie rattlesnakes
milehightraveler/iStock via Getty Images Plus It’s not just menacing mammals you have to beware of in Colorado; in fact, if you’re going to encounter a dangerous animal on the trail, there’s a pretty good chance it will be a rattlesnake. Ubiquitous in the state, rattlesnakes possess a potentially lethal venom. If you encounter one in the wild, turn around. And if you do get bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
- Spiders
David Northcott/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images Of course, Colorado has spiders, too – and we’re not talking about harmless house spiders. The Brown Recluse and Black Widow are both commonly found in Colorado (though the former is not actually native here). Both are venomous; a Black Widow’s venom is over ten times more toxic than a rattlesnake’s, and can cause serious reactions with long-lasting effects.
- Ticks
ArtBoyMB/E+ Collection via Getty Images Don’t be fooled by their diminutive size; these tiny insects are quite nefarious. There’s actually a specific type of tick – the Rocky Mountain wood tick – that carries viral infections known commonly as Colorado tick fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Neither are particularly pleasant; though rare, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause paralysis and organ damage. If you discover you’ve been bitten by a tick, watch for symptoms and seek medical attention.
- Bull Elk
Matt Dirksen/E+ Collection via Getty Images These amazing animals are another to watch out for while hiking in Colorado. Known for their extra-large antlers, elk are not a naturally aggressive species; but if threatened, they’ll use their antlers to defend themselves. What’s more, elk can become more aggressive at certain times of the year, especially during their “rut” season in the fall. Rut season is essentially the elk’s “dating” period, when males compete for a female mate. Things can get a little contentious during this time.
- Colorado Bull Moose
Matt Dirksen/E+ Collection via Getty Images Not to be confused with the elk, the Colorado Bull Moose is the largest big game species in Colorado, and these behemoths are king of the mountains. With few natural enemies, Colorado Bull Moose are brash and unafraid, and have been known to approach groups of people without hesitation. Similar to elk, the Bull Moose’s “rut” season is particularly dangerous. If you encounter one on the trails, stay calm and slowly back away.
- Coyotes
David C Stephens/Moment Collection via Getty Images Coyotes are quick and cunning, with a quiet foot that can take you by surprise. Colorado coyotes can be found all over the state; their haunting howls heard for miles as they hunt for food in larger packs during the winter. While you’re most likely to encounter a lone coyote on the trails, if you’re approached by one or more, you should deter them by making your presence as big and loud as possible.
- Mountain Lions
Kathleen Reeder Wildlife Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images The stately Mountain Lion is best admired from afar. While they actually prefer to avoid human contact, if threatened, they’ve been known to attack. Swift and stealthy, you won’t hear one of these big cats approaching… until it’s too late. If you ever encounter a mountain lion, make your presence loudly known… and slowly back away.
Knowledge really is power here. While these nine dangerous animals in Colorado certainly pose a threat, with a little caution, you can still enjoy The Centennial State’s natural splendor to the fullest. To help inspire you, be sure to check out these 12 bucket-list worthy adventures in Colorado.
The Good Brigade/DigitalVision via Getty Images
Colorado’s majestic state mammal, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, is actually quite dangerous. If a bighorn feels threatened, they’ll charge… and keep charging. Known for their obstinance, if you encounter a bighorn in the wild, be sure to give them plenty of space.
David C Stephens/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Similar to bighorns, distance is key with mountain goats. These animals are deceptively strong, and they lead with their horns. You’ll most likely encounter these creatures while hiking in the Colorado mountains, but as long as you keep your distance, you should be fine.
milehightraveler/iStock via Getty Images Plus
It’s not just menacing mammals you have to beware of in Colorado; in fact, if you’re going to encounter a dangerous animal on the trail, there’s a pretty good chance it will be a rattlesnake. Ubiquitous in the state, rattlesnakes possess a potentially lethal venom. If you encounter one in the wild, turn around. And if you do get bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
David Northcott/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images
Of course, Colorado has spiders, too – and we’re not talking about harmless house spiders. The Brown Recluse and Black Widow are both commonly found in Colorado (though the former is not actually native here). Both are venomous; a Black Widow’s venom is over ten times more toxic than a rattlesnake’s, and can cause serious reactions with long-lasting effects.
ArtBoyMB/E+ Collection via Getty Images
Don’t be fooled by their diminutive size; these tiny insects are quite nefarious. There’s actually a specific type of tick – the Rocky Mountain wood tick – that carries viral infections known commonly as Colorado tick fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Neither are particularly pleasant; though rare, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause paralysis and organ damage. If you discover you’ve been bitten by a tick, watch for symptoms and seek medical attention.
Matt Dirksen/E+ Collection via Getty Images
These amazing animals are another to watch out for while hiking in Colorado. Known for their extra-large antlers, elk are not a naturally aggressive species; but if threatened, they’ll use their antlers to defend themselves. What’s more, elk can become more aggressive at certain times of the year, especially during their “rut” season in the fall. Rut season is essentially the elk’s “dating” period, when males compete for a female mate. Things can get a little contentious during this time.
Not to be confused with the elk, the Colorado Bull Moose is the largest big game species in Colorado, and these behemoths are king of the mountains. With few natural enemies, Colorado Bull Moose are brash and unafraid, and have been known to approach groups of people without hesitation. Similar to elk, the Bull Moose’s “rut” season is particularly dangerous. If you encounter one on the trails, stay calm and slowly back away.
Coyotes are quick and cunning, with a quiet foot that can take you by surprise. Colorado coyotes can be found all over the state; their haunting howls heard for miles as they hunt for food in larger packs during the winter. While you’re most likely to encounter a lone coyote on the trails, if you’re approached by one or more, you should deter them by making your presence as big and loud as possible.
Kathleen Reeder Wildlife Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
The stately Mountain Lion is best admired from afar. While they actually prefer to avoid human contact, if threatened, they’ve been known to attack. Swift and stealthy, you won’t hear one of these big cats approaching… until it’s too late. If you ever encounter a mountain lion, make your presence loudly known… and slowly back away.
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Address: Colorado, USA
