LA County is home to diverse and amazing wildlife, and throughout the year our trails may contain many species big and small. Recent wildfires have also displaced a lot of wildlife and brought many down into the foothills in the urban wildland interface.
The opportunities to explore the outdoors and observe wildlife up close are numerous and varied. When you are out on the trail, remember to put your own safety first.
Following a few general safety tips will help you avoid any unwanted wildlife encounters:
Always report any wildlife attacks immediately with a 911 call or to the trail operator.
And a few additional safety tips to keep in mind during rattlesnake season or when hiking in mountain lion country.
Rattlesnakes: Particularly when Spring weather starts to warm, rattlesnakes become a common site out on the trails. Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and mind their own business – the chances of being bitten are relatively small. However, they can bite if startled, threatened or even accidentally touched by a passing trail user. Most rattlesnake bites happen between April and October, so while during rattlesnake season keep in mind these safety tips:
Mountain lions: Mountain lions do roam our public lands, but they typically avoid contact with humans. While sightings are rare and it is extremely unlikely that you would encounter one while on a trail, remember these basic safety tips when hiking in mountain lion country: