Well, no tigers, but there are several animals in the area that threaten humans in different ways. The most common threat is from our perception of the danger caused by our imagination going wild. However, a few of these animals can cause us harm if we fail to treat them with due respect. There is seldom ever a need to kill or harm wild animals. Remember, we are visitors in their home.
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Because of its size, the California tarantulas, Aphonopelma eutylenum, look threatening. However, these are very docile creatures and their bite is considered harmless to humans. However, they do have large fangs and can inflict a painful puncture wound. Of course, as with any venomous bite, there is always a danger of anaphylactic shock.
The California tarantula does have a secret weapon that can be painful to humans. When threatened, the spider uses its hind legs to fling the barbed hairs on its abdomen toward whatever is threatening it. The tiny, coarse hairs have a nasty way of finding their way into the eyes of a predator and can become embedded, causing severe irritation and even infection if not treated properly. When the tarantula appears to sticks its butt in the air, it is warning you to stay away. The best way to enjoy a tarantula is to observe it on the ground where it belongs. Tarantulas are not climbing spiders so don't pick them up because they can be seriously injured by a fall. Do not molest these beautiful peaceful creatures as they are easily stressed. Tarantulas are virtually blind and navigate by scent and vibrations. |
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California Prionus, Prionus californicus. This longhorn beetle is the largest beetle in western North America reaching lengths of about 2 inches. They have large mandibles and, if provoked, can inflict a painful bite. I once heard a story that the modern chain saw was invented by a logger who observed the feeding habits and mandibles of the larval beetle.
While harmless to humans, they fly at night between July and August and are easily attracted to your camp lantern and campfire light. Their greatest threat to human is caused by where our imagination goes when we hear one these creature buzz past our ear and then thud upon our chest or neck while we we're serenely enjoying the evening camp. Warning: This large beetle has been known to cause irreparable harm to young male egos who turn into screaming babies in front of girlfriends and other male peers when they are stuck by these creatures while boasting around evening campfires. |
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You may find two species of rattlesnake in this area, Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis oreganos and the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox. Rattlesnakes can be dangerous and cause serious injury to humans and on rare occasions even death. Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and usually leave when given an opportunity. However, they do strike when threatened or deliberately provoked. Nearly all rattlesnake bites occur because the victim was teasing, threatening or otherwise provoking the snake. Snakebites also occur when they are accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing.
Treat these animals with respect and give them plenty of room - they normally take advantage of such opportunity and leave on their own. When hiking, stick to well-used trails and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step on logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood. Avoid walking through dense brush, thickets or shaded places. Be careful when stepping over doorstep or when getting out of your tent. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they find protection on one side. Though uncommon, rattlesnake bites do occur and while not generally life threatening, a rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency. The first thing to do if bitten is to stay calm. Generally, the most serious effect of a rattlesnake bite to an adult is local tissue damage that needs to be treated. Children, because they are smaller, are in more danger if they are bitten. I’ve been told that rattlesnakes often fail to inject when biting humans and that the first symptom of rattlesnake envenomation is an extremely painful burning sensation. Get to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible, but stay calm. Frantic, high-speed driving places you, the victim and other motorist at greater risk of an accident and increases the victims heart rate. If the doctor is more than 30 minutes away, elevate the bite and get to the doctor as quickly as possible. The Latest on Snakebite First Aid |
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Pajahuello tick, Ornithodorus coriaceus, is found in and around the Clear Creek Recreation Area. This tick will readily attach to humans and the bite of this tick is notoriously painful, resulting in a localized inflammatory response due to a toxic substance introduced into the bite site during feeding. Humans may accidentally encounter this tick when they come into contact with host bedding sites, especially during activities such as hunting and camping. |
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Pacific Coast Tick, Dermacentor occidentalis, is a three-host tick that commonly feeds on rodents, especially squirrels, as subadults, and on cattle, horses, deer, and humans as adults. This is one of the most widely distributed ticks in California. It is found throughout the state except for the very dry regions of the central valley and the southeastern desert region. |
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Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, Dermacentor andersoni, is a three host tick which as a subadult primarily feeds on small rodents; as adults, they focus on large mammals, especially deer, humans, and livestock. This tick is well known as a vector of the Rocky Mountain spotted fever rickettsia in the northwestern U.S. and Canada, the Colorado tick fever virus, and the bacteria that causes tularemia (hunter's disease). It is also commonly responsible for tick paralysis in humans, livestock, and wild mammals. |
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Black Widow Spider, Lactrodectus hesperus, generally live in trash, closets, attics, woodpiles, garages and other dark places. They are found throughout California, especially in the warmer regions such as the Central Valley and Southern California. Only the female spider is dangerous to humans. The black widow spider is a shiny, inky black spider with a large round tail segment (abdomen). Including its legs, the black widow generally measures from one-half inch to one inch in length. Red to orange-colored markings, usually in the shape of an hourglass, is found on the underside of the belly.
If a black widow spider bites a person, do not panic! No one in the United States has died from a black widow spider bite in over 10 years. Very often, the black widow will not inject any venom into the bite and no serious symptoms develop. Wash the wound well with soap and water to help prevent infection. Generally, you would wait for muscle cramps to develop and then take the patient to the nearest hospital. However, if you are in the Clear Creek Recreation Area, then you should depart for the hospital immediately since travel may take two to three hours. Some victims, especially young children, may be admitted overnight for observation and treatment. There is treatment for a black widow spider bite that can take care of the symptoms. Various medications are used to treat the muscle cramps, spasms and pain of a bite. Black widow spider antivenin is seldom necessary. |
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Western Yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica, or Common Yellowjacket, Vespula vulgaris, or California Yellowjacket, Vespula sulphurea, are social insects that live in a colony. Most species are medium sized insects with black & yellow or black & white markings. Yellowjackets normally nest in abandoned rodent burrows in the ground, but some species builds aerial nests in trees, and others nest in buildings. When a yellowjacket nest is disturbed, defending workers may attack in numbers and inflict enough stings to create a life-threatening situation for individuals hypersensitive to the venom.
In late summer, the Yellowjacket population is at its highest level, and foraging workers may resort to scavenging to provide enough food for the colony. Most yellowjacket species are beneficial to man because they prey on insects and other yellow jacket species. Stings from bees, hornets and wasps cause more deaths than bites and stings from all other insects and spiders. Death is usually a result of an allergic reaction. |
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Mountain Lion, Puma concolor, like any wildlife, can be dangerous. These large, powerful predators have always lived here, preying on deer and other wildlife, and playing an important role in the ecosystem.
Deer make up 60-80% of its diet throughout year but the lion also eats rabbits, rodents, porcupines, skunks, coyotes, and, occasionally, domestic stock. Grouse, turkey, fish, insects, grass, and berries also have been reported in the diet. They usually stalk their prey on ground, often locating by scent. They kill larger prey by stalking to within a few meters, and then leap onto it and biting at base of skull. Although extremely rare, lions do occasionally attack human. Mountain lions can be dangerous to humans when wounded or cornered. Mountain lions prefer to sleep in caves and other natural cavities, or thickets in brush and timber that provide cover. You can usually avoid mountain lion by making noise or by being with a group of people. However, never allow children to stray out of your sight or more than a few feet away. While a fierce predator, mountain lions are also timid and cautious. It is extremely rare for humans to ever see these beautiful animals in nature. |
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California Wild Boar, Sus scrofa, don't generally like to be around people and usually run away at first hint of your presence. They are not considered dangerous to humans. However, they are very intelligent and can be dangerous when wounded or cornered. You can usually avoid wild boar by making noise or by being with a group of people.
After deer, wild boar are the most popular game animal in California. |
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