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Animals That Live in the Appalachian Mountains

You're going to do some hiking on the AT. Whether you lot're a thru-hiker, LASHer, weekend warrior, or 24-hour interval hiker, odds are you will encounter some wildlife. To be off-white, we are invading their homes…

So, yous might be wondering: What animals will you come across? How do you handle wildlife encounters? Which animals should you be wary of? And what to practice when things take a bad plow (for wild animals or yourself)?

While I am a wild animals veterinarian technician, former wildlife research technician, and wildlife enthusiast (hence the trail name Wild animals), I will note that I am not a veterinarian or professional wild animals biologist, so any information or advice that I requite must be taken with a grain of salt.

Animals Yous May Encounter

There are many mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, amphibians, and insects/arachnids you can see and hear forth the journey. Below are lists of the animals I encountered, followed past a list of some that I didn't get to interact with, but you possible could!

Mammals

Black Bear
White-tailed Deer
Eastern Cottontail
Porcupine
Eastern Greyness Squirrel
Red Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
White-footed Mouse
Meadow Vole
Big Brown Bat
Grayson Highland Ponies

White-tailed Deer. These guys are often fearless of human beings in areas where in that location'due south no hunting.

Porcupine that I lead me downwardly the trail for 0.1-0.2 miles.

Birds

American Crow
Raven
Blue Jay
Mutual Merganser
Mutual Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Bang-up Blue Heron
Pileated Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee
Spruce Grouse (I'm pretty sure, run into movie below)
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Eastern Screech Owl (heard)
Barred Owl
Northern Cardinal
American Robin
Reddish-breasted Nuthatch
Eastern Bluebird
Wild Turkey
Carmine-throated Hummingbird
Many more not identified

Bandbox Grouse (as opposed to Ruffed Grouse based on scarlet above middle) seen in Maine.

Barred Owl hanging out before her hunt that night.

Reptiles/Amphibians

Black rat snake
Garter Serpent
V-lined Skink
Painted Turtle
Ruddy Eft
Northern Carmine Salamander
American Toad

Garter Snake slithering abroad.

Beware you don't stride on a Red Eft! These little guys are all over the trail in peak flavour.

Insects/Arachnids

Praying Mantis
Monarch Butterfly
Millipede
Musquito
Deer Fly
yellowish butterfly/look up other butterflies (brownish redish 1 likewise), bluish one
Stick bug
Stink bug
Marbled Orb Weaver
Carolina Wolf Spider
Brown Recluse or Yellow Sac Spider (technically non seen, but was bitten and had a nasty wound that needed antibiotics)
Many more not mentioned

Praying Mantis motionless in the grass.

Monarch Butterfly looking regal.

Scat

Coyote
Moose
And several others above already noted every bit seen/heard (e.g. Blackness Bear, White-footed Mouse, White-tailed Deer)

Moose debris- they're everywhere in Maine!

Ones I missed out on

Moose (I only observed carrion)
Coyote (I only observed carrion)
Red Pull a fast one on
Gray Fox
Virginia Opossum (NOT POSSUM)
Beaver
Fisher
American Mink
Bobcat
Muskrat
Woodchuck (aka Groundhog)
Striped Skunk
Northern Flying Squirrel
Eastern Cherry-red Bat
Raccoon
Wild Boar
Bald Eagle
Black Vulture
Osprey
Peregrine Falcon
American Woodcock
Woods Duck (and many more duck species)
Northern Bobwhite
Timber Rattlesnake
Northern Copperhead
Spotted Salamander
Brook Trout (especially if y'all are a fisher)
Deer Tick
Canis familiaris Tick
Blackness Widow

Treatment Wild fauna Encounters

Leave No Trace on Respecting Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance without post-obit or approaching them.
Never feed wildlife, and protect your nutrient by storing information technology properly (i.eastward. acquit canisters and bags, which also assist for animals other than bears).
Control your pets.
Be sensitive and try to avoid wildlife during sure times, such as convenance or raising young.
A more detailed description can exist plant at https://lnt.org/learn/principle-6.

The Go out No Trace principle on respecting wild animals outlined above is straightforward and definitely the core set of rules to follow. What I would add together to this list by and large concerns detail species of concern and special situations discussed in the adjacent sections. Yet, I volition mention hither, that wild animals want nil to practise with y'all, have the few who want your food, merely even they only desire the nutrient and will scurry abroad if you lot make your presence known or make it known that you know they are in that location and shoo them away. Therefore, with all wildlife, if y'all simply make some noise and/or make yourself visible but give them their infinite, you will ensure both their and your safety. That existence said…

Animals To Be Wary Of

Several critters that inhabit the Appalachian trail accept particular concerns associated with them. Hither'due south what y'all're working with:

Venomous snakes (Non POISONOUS- venom refers to an injected toxin, poisonous substance is used for topical, ingested or inhaled toxins)
- Timber Rattlesnake
- Northern Copperhead
- Water Moccasin (aka Cottonmouth)
Venomous spiders
- Black Widow
- Brownish Recluse
- Broad-faced Sac Spider
- Yellow Sac Spider
Insects
- Ticks (technically an arachnid, not an insect, only grouped here considering they both are small and transmit diseases)
- Mosquitos
Rabies Vectors
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Woodchucks
- Bats (Big and Little Dark-brown)
- Coyotes
- Beavers
- Foxes
Rodents
- Mice
- Chipmunks
- Squirrels
Other Mammals
- Black Bears
- Porcupines

Preventing and Dealing with Negative Encounters

With all of the species above, at that place are particular things to be concerned about, some more than obvious than others, and particular ways to prevent any negative interactions. Taking intendance of incidences follows each type of animals description

Venomous Snakes

Kickoff, know what each species looks similar and where they like to hang out. Timber rattlesnakes love to sun themselves on rocks or logs, and so naturally, many people come across them in PA. Other times, they are sprawled out across the trail. However, they are known as the "gentleman of venomous snakes." They warn you lot that their at that place and tend not to be aggressive. Sometimes people pace directly over them, and it isn't until after that they hear the rattle and realize this. You tin see them in all states, except Maine.

Developed Timber Rattlesnake. Photo credit Travis W. Taggart.

Copperheadswill similarly sun themselves, but they also spend a lot of their time on the forest floor, where they camouflage all-time. In improver to sunning themselves on height of logs (and this goes for rattlesnakes, also), they also lay out where the log meets the ground and spaces between rocks. A good pull a fast one on to avoid encounters here is to employ your trekking pole. Stick information technology into a gap in the rocks you're stepping over or on the other side of a log you're near to stride over. Copperheads are thought to be more aggressive than timber rattlesnake, but this varies. In Massachusetts, a researcher I worked with said they were fairly docile. Massachusetts is the northern purlieus of their distribution.

Northern Copperhead. Photo credit CT.gov.

H2o moccasinsare a snake I never desire to come up across. The other ii, sure, they are cool to see, merely not this one. Cottonmouths are infamously aggressive. Luckily, seeing them along the trail is rare. Equally their name indicates, these snakes like to hang out near water and are most active in the oestrus of summer. Even so, they only inhabit the southern states all the way up through W Virginia, so virtually NoBos and Sobos volition be out of these states during superlative season.

Eastern Water Moccasin. Photo credit VA Herpetological Society.

With all of these snakes, simply don't exist an idiot and get all upward in their grill. The majority of snake bites occur on hands because people reach out towards the serpent. Don't exist that person. Respect them and give the snake his or her space.

Snake Bites

If you lot are bitten past a snake, immediately call 911 for assistance or use your GPS device that may have a panic button. Another resource is the Banner Poison and Drug Data Heart hotline (i-800-222-1222). Effort to identify or be able to draw the serpent that scrap you, but do not try to take hold of it. Luckily, deaths by rattlesnake or copperhead bites are rare. In that location are several things you lot do Not want to do, including applying a tourniquet, trying to suck out the venom, and applying ice. You practise desire to remove jewelry or gear that could constrict blood flow, remain calm, continue the area with the bite at or below middle level, clean just exercise non flush wound and cover with a dry out dressing. Expect out for symptoms, such as swelling, skin color changes, and dizziness, and keep track of their progression. Recruit help from others if possible. You will demand to get to a infirmary as soon as possible.

Venomous Spiders

Similarly to the snakes, to prevent bad encounters, information technology is all-time to know what the spiders look similar and where they like to hang out. However, even though it is skillful to know what they look similar, oft you don't fifty-fifty see them or find that you've been bitten. Additionally, people tend to avoid all spiders I know from personal experience, as I caused a venomous spider seize with teeth during my journey. Therefore, focus on where they like to hide. Black Widowsare known as the "outhouse spider" because, you guessed information technology, they like to hang out in outhouses, or dark spaces in general. This goes for the other species likewise. Brown Recluses lurk amid piles of rocks, sticks, or logs, so be careful when collecting woods or grabbing another log for a burn. The two Sac Spiders can be constitute in similar places. But exist careful with these dark spaces. Be wary when you go to employ the privy, don't reach into piles of wood, take pieces from the top, don't reach into small dark spaces in general.

Wood pile: a mansion for spiders. Photograph Credit Bob Gibbons.

Spider Bites

Most people do not even realize they've been bitten, such as myself, just others feel a sting or a little pain. Symptoms can include rash, pain, itching at bite site, nausea, vomiting, headache, and fever. Death is extremely rare in adults. Therefore, when bitten, simply wash the site with soap and water, apply a cool shrink or water ice pack if possible, employ ibuprofen or aspirin for pain relief, and call the doctor/seek medical treatment if necessary. To figure out if you need farther medical attention, monitor your symptoms. Annotation if they've gotten worse or if yous experience new symptoms. With rashes, a trick to utilize is to outline the rash with a pen, and you'll know information technology's getting worse if the rash extends outside of the lines. A dr. may prescribe an antibody or even a tetanus booster.

My spider bite before treatment.

Insects

The "insects," ticks and mosquitos are grouped together because they both act as vectors, transmitting zoonotic diseases. Both are each a double whammy because they are parasitic and feed on your claret, which is why they transmit diseases so well. I'm being repetitive here, just again, know the bugs yous're looking for, especially the different species of ticks, and it is good to know where they like to hang out and where they like to hide out on your body.

Mosquitos thrive in hot, humid areas with stagnant water. Most Nobos striking the moving ridge in NJ/NY, and for me, a Sobo, mosquito aisle occurred in MA. Ticks, dog, deer, and alone star, love tall grasses, then fields are plentiful with ticks. Once they find you, they like to inhabit the moist, warm places on your trunk. Oftentimes they are buried in your hair, armpit, or even your crotch. Be certain to check your back, too. As for prevention for both mosquitos and ticks, I recommend bug spray if yous're willing to behave it. Also, treat your wearing apparel and gear with Permethrin spray. Lastly, try to practice tick checks daily, or if not daily, every few days/when you get a shower. Take a friend check your dorsum for you. If yous have a dog- delight cheque your domestic dog!

Insect Bites

If you get bitten past an insect, the next pace is to expect out for any symptoms that yous are carrying a zoonotic disease. These diseases include W Nile virus and Zika virus transmitted past mosquitos and Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever transmitted by ticks. Most of these have similar symptoms to look out for, such as headache, fever, chill, rashes, fatigue, nausea, airsickness, dizziness, and confusion. If y'all begin to notice these symptoms be sure to seek medical attention.

Rabies Vectors

The types of species that conduct rabies are raccoons, skunks, woodchucks, bats, weasel species and relatives, canines, and felines. Therefore, do not approach these species! Many people say to look out for a crazed animal foaming from the mouth. I would say, just avoid them all together, but do be actress weary if they appear extremely ambitious, lethargic, or demonstrate neurologic disorder. Wildlife should run abroad from you quickly, then if they aren't, information technology tin can be a cerise flag. If yous come up across an beast that yous are particularly concerned about, y'all can endeavor to contact the local enforcement, similarly to with an injured fauna.

Rabies Vector Bites

Rabies is a zoonotic viral affliction that is fatal to animals that are susceptible, including us and our dogs. At that place take been few cases of humans surviving rabies, and although its transmission to humans in the U.s. is very rare, whatever slight chance of being infected is taken very seriously. It is transmitted via saliva, and unfortunately, the only way to test an animate being is mail-mortem. If one of these animals bites or scratches you or ane of your pets, it is best to get that brute tested. Additionally, bats spit, so fifty-fifty without a bite, a bat plant in your home (or shelter) should exist brought in for testing. Someone in Maine even drowned a raccoon in a puddle in the woods subsequently she was attacked.

If a rabies suspect bites or scratches you or your pet, then you definitely demand to contact a doctor. Immediately rinse your wound out with water and lather as much equally possible and go on to follow directions given to you past your medico.

Rodents

Rodents are a nuisance animate being more annihilation. They will do anything within their power to go your food and destroy your expensive gear in the process. To prevent this Make clean Upward Subsequently YOURSELF! Try not to overuse spaces, similar shelters and campsites. Store your food properly, including bear bagging it at dark. And please, for Pete'southward sake, don't feed them. Aye, I did encounter someone deliberately feeding a vole and a mouse.

Rodent Issues

If you exercise have any issues with rodents, yous may just have to clean up the mess and get away from that infinite. You might take to buy new gear or rethink your food storage strategy. If you catch a rodent in the act, you tin can scare them off, only know that they will come back if y'all don't move or make adjustments.

Other Mammals

The bears and porcupines that brand up the "other mammals" category are in this section for similar reasons to the rodents. You may think that you take to worry about bear attacks, merely these are extremmmmeeelyyyy rare. Mostly, they want cipher to do with y'all except to swallow your food. To prevent negative interactions here, simply store your food properly and clean upwards after yourself. With bears, be enlightened of any army camp or shelter closures or warnings for sure sections of trail. You tin check this on the ATC'south official trail updates webpage. If you run into bears or porcupines forth the trail, just make a lot of racket, and this will scare them off. Every time I ran into a bear, I yelled or banged my trekking poles together, and the bears took off in the contrary direction. Blackness bears are not aggressive. But don't exist that person who tries to sneak up on one for a good photo. You are putting yourself and the conduct at risk.

Coming Across Injured, Sick and "Orphaned" Wildlife

There is a adventure that yous can meet wildlife in any or all of these categories. Y'all may panic- what should yous exercise?! As a veterinarian technician at a wild animals hospital and rehabilitation center, I take several suggestions.

First, allow nature run its grade. Animals get sick, injured, and orphaned, if non caused by humans, information technology is simply something that happens. Maybe they'll go a meal to another animal in demand. Additionally, if you lot call up an animal is orphaned, it is about likely not (unless you can ostend the parent is dead). Otherwise, parents leave their young unattended virtually of the time. With orphan situations, I'd e'er just leave it exist. We see kidnapping far too often where I work.

Second, you lot can endeavour to do something to help. Please Practise NOT attempt to handle the brute. Information technology will endeavour to seize with teeth, scratch, stab, so grabbing them yourself can lead to you getting hurt, which only makes the situation worse. Too, every state varies on its wildlife policies. However, in every state it is illegal to rehabilitate wildlife without some sort of allow or license, and then there is no sense in you lot directly coming into contact with the fauna. Instead, my best recommendation is to contact the local police/environmental enforcement, whether that be an animal control officer, a park ranger, or the country division of fish and wild animals, report your location and your business organization, and continue on your style.

A Favor to Inquire: RODENTICIDE Alarm

At Hostels or other stops along the trail, you may see boxes similar to the one pictured beneath. Yous may even accept them in your home. These incorporate rodenticide baits to kill mice and rats. Unfortunately, that'south not all they impale. Now, I know were are hiker trash, and hiker trash attracts these animals, merely expiry by rodenticide is brutal and impacts the environment negatively.

Rodenticide bait box- go on an eye out for these!

Rodenticide contains an anticoagulant. Vitamin Thou is depleted in the torso, and the victim has a long slow death from bleeding out internally. Since death is not instantaneous, the rodents get out the bait box and slowly abound weaker as the toxin takes affect. What does that brand them? An easy repast for the hawks, owls, foxes, etc. Similarly to DDT, nosotros see bioaccumulation upwardly the food chain. In California, more than 85% of tested mountain lions, bobcats, and fishers tested positive for toxic rat poison. At the wild fauna center I work at, the numbers are probably similar if not higher for birds of casualty. So not simply are the rodents dying from rodenticide toxicosis, the predators are, likewise.

So what am I asking? Well first, if you have these in your homes, end using them. But, what I want from you is to go along your eyes peeled for these at hostels. If you run across these baits, please say something. After all, shouldn't these places be pro-environment and conservation. Yous can always start with, "Hey I read this article on The Trek that mentioned rodenticide baits are bad for the surround…." You can offering them an alternative. The most humane way to get rid of rodents, too using a haverhart trap and releasing them elsewhere, is to utilise snap traps. This may stupor some of you, only the decease is about instantaneous, minimizing the pain and suffering. Also, in that location is no toxicant involved. Zippo that could travel up the food concatenation and kill other species. If places are worried about the snap traps having a bad outcome aesthetically, have them cut a cardboard box with an opening to conceal the traps.

The wild fauna and I capeesh your assist!

In Conclusion

Hopefully yous volition get to run across some wild animals forth your adventures, but remember to exist safety and respectful. Humans are animals, too, so look subsequently your fellow creatures.

Happy trails from Wildlife (me)!