Idaho might not be Australia, where any number of dangerous animals could kill you, but there certainly are a number of animals you don’t want to come face-to-face with. 

Bears? We have a lot of those. Idaho Fish and Game estimates that between the foothills and forested regions of the state, 20,000-30,000 black bears call the Gem State home. The agency explains that traditionally, these bears aren’t typically aggressive toward humans unless you get in between them and attempt to get their hands on food. While the grizzly bear population is much smaller than the black bear population, you may encounter them in northern or eastern Idaho closer to Yellowstone. In 2023, there have been reports of a black bear attacking a Victor, Idaho man while he was opening his garage door and a grizzly bear killing a woman near the Montana-Idaho border while she was jogging.

Palm Beach Zoo Debuts Grizzly Bear Cubs
Getty Images
loading...

Mountain Lions? Hearing that mountain lions have been spotted along the greenbelt or neighborhoods along the Boise River isn’t uncommon. A big cat prowling your neighborhood can be unnerving, but the mountain lions are far more dangerous to your pets, small livestock and poultry than you. Idaho Fish and Game reports that only four mountain lion attacks on humans took place between 1990-2021. None of those were fatal. 

Wild Puma
JHaviv
loading...

You might be uneasy coming face-to-face with wolves, bobcats or moose, as well. The chances of these animals attacking a human are low, but should it happen, you’re likely facing scarring and other painful injuries. We don’t mean to be morbid, but in that case, you know exactly why you’re in pain. 

Idaho’s Talk Station logo
Get our free mobile app

That's not always the case when it comes to animals who cause you pain by biting you. With rattlesnake and Black Widow bites, you'll usually feel those symptoms come on quickly as venom starts pulsing through your body. But a bat or mosquito bite? You may not realize that those bites happened until it's too late.

All of these critters' bites can be potentially fatal to humans. 

Beware Of Potentially Deadly Bites From These 5 Idaho Creatures

While a bite from one of these animals isn't a certain death sentence, their bites can make you rather uncomfortable. If not treated correctly, they could indeed be fatal.

KEEP READING: 5 Nasty Bees and Wasps That May Sting You in Idaho

According to the United States Forest Service, these are five of the most common stinging insects in Idaho. We grabbed their pictures, along with pictures of their nests, to help you identify what you found on your property.

15 Pets You CANNOT Own in the City of Boise

The City Code for Boise prohibits ordinary residents from owning these animals as pets.

More From Idaho’s Talk Station