When visiting the Rocky Mountains, it is normal to wonder what kinds of wildlife you may encounter. A common question is whether people may encounter grizzly bears and other dangerous animals in Mesa Verde National Park.
There are no grizzly bears in Mesa Verde. The last known grizzly bear in Colorado died in 1979. Today, the park is home to less notorious predators such as black bears and rattlesnakes. Other animals, including coyotes and even deer, can occasionally have dangerous encounters with humans, but this is rare.
Encounters with dangerous animals are rare in Mesa Verde National Park, especially those that end in injury or tragedy. However, it’s still necessary to understand what to do in these situations.
Dangerous Animals in Mesa Verde
While you won’t encounter any grizzly bears in Mesa Verde, other wildlife could become dangerous in certain situations. While dangerous encounters with wildlife in Colorado are relatively rare, they do happen.
Black bears are present in the park, and while they typically keep to themselves, altercations can happen when they learn to steal food from campgrounds or when people startle them on trails. Herbivores like wild horses and elk can occasionally injure people if they harass them during mating season or when they have babies. Rattlesnakes are the only venomous snake in the area.
You may also encounter stinging and biting insects in the park, including mosquitoes, wasps, bees, and scorpions. None of these animals have venom strong enough to injure or kill people unless there is an allergic reaction.
How to Stay Safe Around Black Bears in Mesa Verde
Black bears can be dangerous when they have become habituated to people, such as when they get used to finding food in trash cans or campgrounds. There are a few black bears who call Mesa Verde home, and while you aren’t likely to see one, much less have a dangerous encounter, it’s wise to be bear aware.
If you are camping or bringing food into the park, you should know the best ways to keep animals from accessing it. Make sure that you don’t leave any food or scraps behind, and take all your trash with you. Store food inside your vehicle or a bear box. Bears can easily smell food and get inside coolers and tents. Even snacks and scented lotions can attract bears once they are used to eating around people. Human-habituated bears lose their fear and begin to associate humans with food. This makes them much more dangerous.
You can help avoid encounters with bears while you are hiking or exploring by traveling in groups and making noise. If you have small children with you, keep them nearby and don’t let the wander too far from the group. Take your trash and snacks when you to help keep animals from getting human food or scraps.
If you do encounter a bear, whether in a campground or on a trail, remember that most bears don’t want to interact with people. They are usually startled or searching for food, not being aggressive. Don’t run away, scream, or yell, as this can make them see you as prey. Instead, stand your ground or back away slowly and talk to the bear, so that it will recognize you as a person. You can raise your arms over your head to appear larger. Pick up any small children in your group so they don’t appear vulnerable.
If a bear actually tries to attack, you can take a different approach. Here are the National Park Service’s recommendations on how to handle a bear attack. If a black bear attacks you, fight back. Yell, punch, kick, and whatever you do, don’t play dead. However, it is important to remember that black bear attacks are rare, especially in areas like Mesa Verde where they haven’t become as adapted to humans (compared with some more popular parks).
How to Avoid Rattlesnakes in Mesa Verde
National park visitors should be prepared and take the time to research the area they are visiting. One question people often ask is about dangerous snakes, such as rattlesnakes.
Rattlesnakes can be found in Mesa Verde National Park, and occasionally visitors will encounter one. Bites from these snakes are dangerous and require immediate medical attention. Thankfully, bites are rare and usually occur when humans harass or try to catch the animal.
The best way to protect yourself from rattlesnake bites is by leaving them alone. Avoid startling them by watching where you place your feet when you are hiking and stepping out of vehicles. Teach your children not to put their hands or feet in places they cannot see, such as holes or crevasses in rocks, and to pay attention when they are hiking or playing. While rattlesnakes will usually warn you with a loud rattle before they bite, don’t rely on this.
If you do see a rattlesnake, back away and leave it alone. If the snake is on a trail, try to bypass the area (in this case it is acceptable to go off-trail) and warn other hikers. In most cases, rattlesnakes naturally avoid people and will try to leave the path quickly if you allow them space. Again, most rattlesnake bites are human-caused such as when people are trying to catch, kill, or keep snakes as pets.
How to Spot Wildlife in Mesa Verde National Park
Watching wildlife is one of the highlights of national park visits, but it can be frustrating when you never see any. While wild animals are always unpredictable and there are no guarantees, you can increase your chances of seeing them by understanding their behavior. Some animals adapt more easily to the presence of humans, and these will be the critters that you are most likely to see. Small rodents like squirrels are usually easy to find, as are many birds. Other animals are very shy and are hardly ever seen in the wild, even by hunters and wildlife photographers, such as mountain lions.
You can see wildlife while driving through the park. if you have children with you or you are hiking with a group, you are less likely to see any animals while hiking. Viewing wildlife from the car is, for many families, easier and more comfortable. If you spot any animals while driving through the park, it is acceptable to pull over and watch them as long as you aren’t impeding traffic or being unsafe. Many animals are accustomed to seeing vehicles and will go about their business in a more natural way than they do when they encounter a human on foot.
You can also see animals while hiking. To do this, it helps to be quiet and stay alert. With young children, you will likely not see many shy animals but you might spot braver creatures such as squirrels, birds, and even deer. Here is a list of the animals you might spot in Mesa Verde National Park:
- Bobcats
- Mule deer
- Coyotes
- Foxes
- Feral horses
- Jays
- Lizards
- Owls
- Raptors
- Songbirds
- Bighorn Sheep
Conclusion
No matter what animals you get the chance to see, visiting Mesa Verde National Park is a wonderful experience. Not only may you see a wide range of wildlife but you can also experience the lovely high desert, enjoy visiting a unique and beautiful natural area, and learn about an ancient civilization.
Read more about Mesa Verde in the rest of this series:
Visiting Mesa Verde National Park With Your Kids
The BEST Cliff Dwelling Tour for Your Kids
Is Mesa Verde Worth it Without a Tour? 11 Things to Do
