Snakes, Critters, and Things
The big thing, "Watch where you place your hands or feet". I tromp up and down rocky areas - great spots for some rattlesnakes; I crawl into caves - great place for rattlers and assorted critters; and I cut across country stepping over brush - sidewinders just love to curl up under these areas. Now for me, and my ex-hiking partner (ex, because he moved away not because he kicked the bucket), this is great because we enjoyed finding and photographing critters of all kinds. Some people, even though they hike in the desert, are very nervous around wildlife. Bottom line, try not to take too many chances.
Some of the critters that you will find in Southern Nevada
Rattlesnakes: Contrary to some people's thinking, they are not out to hunt you down and do you in. If you have spent time in the desert, you have probably walked right past one or two and never knew it - they do not always rattle. I carry a walking stick - not to beat the poor snake to death, but to alert any number of critters that I am on the way.
Scorpions: Most scorpion stings are not going to be a problem with the exception of the "Bark Scorpion". The Bark Scorpion can be life-threatening to children, elderly, or people with existing medical conditions. Scorpions and other insects like cooler, damp places so make sure you check boots and clothing very carefully before putting them back on.
Pictures below are not Bark Scorpions
Gila Monster: Not often seen and it is our only poisonous lizard. They are heavy-bodied lizards with a fat tail, and are black, orange, red, and yellow in color. The venom is neurotoxic, free flowing and chewed into the wound.
Africanized Bees: The so-called Killer Bees have made in-roads into Southern Nevada recently. In fact, there have been a couple of situations involving the bees not far from the Las Vegas Strip. If on a hike and you see bees going in an out of a small opening, it would be a good idea to give it a very wide berth just to be on the safe side. If you are attacked by bees, cover your head, do not flail your arms around (it will only antagonize them more), and run towards your vehicle if possible, or just keep running. Some reports that I have read state that the bees will pursue what they perceive as a threat up to a half mile. Think about it... if you are in a rocky canyon you will not be able to run a long distance without major injury to your body. Play it safe and when hiking give all bees a wide berth. Some other hints are to wear light colored clothes and avoid wearing scented lotions.
Tarantulas: Bites are rarely fatal, just normally painful. This is another one of those "shake out your gear and clothing before putting them back on". I laid down my pack in the shade while resting one time and when I went to pick it up, there staring back at me was the cutest little hairy critter on my pack.
Burros and just about any critter with young: Give them a wide berth. Several times I have had burros and wild horses let me know that I was intruding on their family's space. One time we accidentally cornered a group of wild horses in a very narrow canyon, and they let us know immediately that we were not wanted. The only times that I have had wild burros be aggressive was when they had young with them. The two young bob cats at the top of this page were very curious about me. I watched them for about five minutes, all the time mamma was sitting about 150' above and behind them watching me, watching them. Common sense says TRY NOT TO GET BETWEEN THE YOUNG AND THE ADULT.
Cactus: The only thing I can say is the obvious, "watch where you are going". My ex-old time hiking partner use to rush so much that one time he blindly walked into a Cholla. The tips of the needles stayed in his thigh for the next four months, and to say he was hurting is putting it mildly. Watch for pieces of cactus lying on the ground. I have accidentally stepped on a section of cholla and the spines went right through the sole of a boot.
Important - Please Note: Below is a deadly Cholla Forest. It is a little known fact that these cactus can actually uproot themselves travel across land and attack you at will. Many a desert hiker can attest to this fact or email my ex-hiking partner.
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