10 Terrifying Things In Maine That Can (And Just Might) Kill You
By Michelle|Updated on June 30, 2023(Originally published June 29, 2023)
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Michelle
Author
Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
If you’ve ever wondered what the most dangerous wild animals in Maine are, this is the article for you. Maine is gorgeous, that’s for sure. But, hidden within all that beauty lurks dangers you won’t expect. We’ve written stories about some of the best waterfalls in Maine, but don’t get too close. There’s a reason you’re not allowed to swim in many of them. Oh, and we might not have the poisonous snakes of the West, but we recommend you don’t frolic in a meadow haphazardly without giving yourself a thorough skin check afterward. Think Maine is all fun and games? Think again with these 10 terrifying things in Maine!
They're adorable to look at and L.L. Bean will provide you with a soft and cuddly one, but in actuality you'll want to be cautious around these huge animals. One moment of taking your eyes off the road can mean major damage to your car, or worse. Moose may just be the most dangerous wild animals in Maine. And if you're eager to see a moose, consider doing so safely with a moose watching tour.
You thought this weekend was bad? How about January 16th, 2009 when Maine's coldest day on record was set at -50 F at the Big Black River temperature station.
Maine is a state where you can live through a Black Bear encounter, but you just might bite it going to get the mail on a Thursday.
While they may not actually be terrifying to everyone, snowmobiles have been deadly in Maine. Things get increasingly more dangerous during winters where weather has been unseasonably warm. The good news is that common sense will keep you safe. Remember to: stay sober, be aware of conditions, stay off roads and on trails, ride at a reasonable speed, use hand signals, ride defensively and ride to the right.
They're tiny, they're gross and recently they're deadly. A tick bite is more dangerous than you think. Unchecked Lyme Disease can lead to a lifelong autoimmune disorder, or, in the case of one mid-coast Maine woman, even death. So even though the answer to
"does Maine have poisonous snakes" is thankfully "no," bites from deer ticks are less obvious but potentially just as dangerous.
According to data provided by the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, Augusta just might be the most dangerous place to live in Maine. Data shows that you have a 1 in 15 chance of being the victim of a crime while in the city. I hesitate to say anything else here for fear of what you folks in Augusta are going to say in the comments. Let's just continue to be internet friends and not get mad, okay?
Before you cancel any summer trips up to camp, remember that Black Bears are mostly safe. I'd much rather run into a Black Bear than a Grizzly. But, I'd still prefer to avoid running into a bear. So, be safe. Make noise as you walk through the forest, secure your food if you're doing some real camping and if you do run into a Black Bear simply make some noise and wait for it to go away. So while Black Bear do qualify as dangerous wildlife in Maine, there are ways to avoid a dangerous encounter with one.
A great deal of Maine's permanent population resides along the coast. It's no secret that the more north you travel, the less people you'll see. In fact, there was a time that the population per square mile in counties like Piscataquis and Somerset was 1. That's ONE person per square mile. Hope you've got a crossword, otherwise you risk dying of boredom.
Okay, okay. Before you get angry and think I'm just trying to stir up trouble, let's remember that Jaws was set in a quaint New England coastal town! The reason this guy made our list is that there have been shark sightings of over-sized versions of this shark in coastal Maine waters. While likely not the most dangerous animal in Maine, it's something to keep in mind! You may remember when local fisherman, Capt. James Harkins reported seeing a 30 foot Great White back in 2012. According to experts, Great White sharks can live in waters as cold as 50 degrees F and are commonly found where a good food source (such as seals) exists. With that in mind, there is no question that Great Whites exist in Maine waters. So, maybe stick to Mooselookmeguntic Lake this year.
With an almost vertical 1,000-foot climb, the completely exposed Precipice Trail in Acadia National Park is designated as "strenuous." If you do this, you will probably die. If you've met someone who's completed this trail and they didn't die, they're lying. If you somehow manage to not plummet to your death, you'll die of starvation after freezing in place for eternity for fear of falling if you take another step.
They can't drive and they don't know where they're going. But, more than anything else they just don't get Maine. So, beware. They're dangerous because they could make you lose your mind.
What are you most afraid of in Maine? The most dangerous wildlife in Maine or just the cold weather? Help keep us all safer, by letting us know in a comment on the Only in Maine Facebook page!
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most dangerous animal in Maine
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Are there any creepy bugs in Maine?
The Assassin Bug
There is a fair share of creepy bugs in Maine that you will want on your radar if you visit. One terrifying bug is the Assassin Bug. It uses its legs to hold down its prey and then stabs it until it dies. While humans won’t die from an Assassin Bug, their bites are very painful. The Ichneumon Wasp has what looks like a long stinger on its back that is used for inserting eggs into trees or logs. This creepy looking bug will stink if threatened, so keep your distance if you see one!
