Wildlife Advisories

CO

Deadly: Prairie Rattlesnake

Prairie rattlesnakes are common on the rocky trails of Palmer Park. In summer heat they are most active at dawn, dusk, and after dark — stay on trail, keep dogs leashed, and never reach into rock crevices.

CO

Deadly: Prairie Rattlesnake

Prairie rattlesnakes den in the rock formations. Hike in the heat of midday to avoid peak activity; watch the shaded edges of the main trails.

CO

Deadly: Prairie Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes bask on the table-top rocks in cool mornings and retreat to crevices by midday. Use caution on the summit loop at dawn and dusk.

CO

Deadly: Prairie Rattlesnake

High rattlesnake density on the Fountain Valley Trail. Stay on the trail and keep children close at dawn and dusk.

CO

Deadly: Prairie Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes frequent the south-bay boulders. Cool summer evenings are peak activity — carry a light and watch the trail edges.

FL

Deadly: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)

Heavy cottonmouth and diamondback presence on the La Chua and Boulware Springs trails. Cottonmouths are active day and night near water — stay on boardwalks and never reach into vegetation.

FL

Deadly: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Cottonmouth, Pygmy Rattlesnake

All four major venomous species are present. Diamondbacks and cottonmouths are most active at dawn and dusk; the canopy walk and riverbank trails are hotspots — stay centered on the path.

FL

Deadly: Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Coral Snake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Pygmy rattlesnakes hide in palmetto and coral snakes are nocturnal. Wear closed-toe boots and use a headlamp after dark — coral snakes are often on warm roads at night.

FL

Deadly: Cottonmouth, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Cottonmouths bask on Anhinga Trail boardwalk edges throughout the day. Keep children back from the railings and do not approach basking snakes for photos.

FL

Deadly: Cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Wet trails and dikes host dense cottonmouth populations active at dawn and dusk. Stay on the gravel roads and scan ahead before stepping off-trail.

FL

Endangered Florida panther (P. c. couguar) — fewer than 250 remain. Dense breeding population south of the Caloosahatchee River. Slow down on US-41 and SR-29 at dusk; vehicle strikes are the leading cause of death.

WY/MT

Stable cougar population across the Yellowstone region. Backcountry hikers should hike in groups and keep children close; cougars stalk elk and deer here year-round.

MT

Healthy cougar density in the Northern Rockies. Solo backcountry travel is discouraged; report any fresh tracks or cached kills to a ranger station.

SD

South Dakota's only breeding cougar population. Dispersers from here have reached Connecticut and Illinois. Keep pets and small livestock enclosed at night.

CA

Core California cougar range. Hikers and trail runners should avoid dawn and dusk solo use; cougar attacks on runners have occurred in the foothills.

WA

High cougar density in dense coastal rainforest. Keep dogs leashed — cougars view off-leash dogs as prey or rivals and follow them back to people.

OR

Cougar population is expanding statewide. Cougar pursuit hunting is allowed with a permit but drive slowly on forest roads at dawn/dusk.

UT

Wasatch Front cougar population lives in dense interface with Salt Lake City suburbs. Keep deer off your property — feeding deer attracts cougars.

NV

Nevada's cougars are scattered across the Basin and Range. Most encounters are with dispersing young males; livestock predation is reported in Elko County.

AZ

Northern Arizona holds a stable cougar population. The Flagstaff urban-wildland interface sees regular sightings; secure garbage and pets at night.

NM

Southwest New Mexico cougar country. Backcountry travelers should carry bear spray (effective on cougars) and make noise in thick brush.

CA

Famous urban cougar P-22 lived here. The small, isolated population is hemmed by freeways — vehicle strikes and rat poison bioaccumulation are major threats. Report roadkill deer to authorities.

CO

Boulder and Denver foothills record the most cougar-human incidents in the state. Don't hike alone at dusk in Open Space; if you see a cougar, do not run — make yourself large and back away slowly.

UT

Recent fatal and non-fatal attacks near Salt Lake City. Keep children within arm's reach on trails; cougars that lose fear of people are euthanized — never feed wildlife.

CA

Cupertino, Los Gatos, and the East Bay hills report frequent cougar sightings near homes. Deterrents: install motion lights, secure goats and chickens in cougar-proof enclosures.

ND

Transient males disperse through the Badlands. Sightings are rare but increasing; hunters should be aware cougars may be present during deer season.

TX

A small remnant breeding population plus dispersers in far West Texas. Texas classifies cougars as non-game wildlife with no protections outside Mountain Lion Management Units — hikers should stay vigilant in remote canyons.

NE

Nebraska confirmed cougars are dispersers from the Black Hills and Wyoming. No breeding population; the famous cougar that walked to Connecticut in 2011 passed through here.

OK

Occasional disperser sightings in southwestern Oklahoma. No established population; livestock predation is investigated by USDA Wildlife Services.

CT

In 2011 a cougar that traveled ~1,500 miles from South Dakota was killed here — the longest documented cougar dispersal. A sobering reminder that young males can show up anywhere east of the Mississippi.

IL

In late 2023 cougars were confirmed in the Chicago metro area. If you encounter one, stand tall, make noise, and slowly back away; do not approach or photograph closely.

IA

Iowa has confirmed a handful of disperser cougars, mostly males from the Dakotas or Nebraska. No breeding population; most sightings are misidentified bobcats or house cats.

MI

Periodic confirmed sightings in the UP; no established population. DNR asks for trail-camera photos and tracks to be reported for confirmation.

TN

Eastern cougars were declared extinct in 2018, but disperser western cougars occasionally appear in the Appalachians. Any sighting should be reported to state wildlife officials.