Dangerous Animals in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park Dangerous Animals

Dangerous animals in Acadia National Park are not as numerous or dramatic as those found in some of the larger western parks, but visitors should never mistake that for complete safety. Acadia is a wild landscape shaped by dense forests, rocky cliffs, tidal zones, and hidden wetlands, and the animals that live here behave according to instinct rather than human expectation. Understanding the species that can pose a risk—and how those risks arise naturally—is a vital part of exploring this beautiful park with respect and awareness.

Quick Reference: Dangerous Animals in Acadia National Park

Animal	Potential Danger	Where They Are Commonly Found	Risk Level	Safety Tips
Black Bear	Can act defensively if surprised, attracted to food, rare but possible encounters	Forested interior of Mount Desert Island, remote areas near Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake	Moderate	Keep distance, store food properly, never approach
Coyotes	May act defensively if cornered or if protecting pups	Wooded trails, open meadows, early morning and dusk	Low to Moderate	Give space, avoid feeding wildlife
Moose	Extremely dangerous when startled or during rut; can charge	Wetlands, marshy areas, interior forests on Mount Desert Island	High (if encountered)	Stay at least 50 yards away, never block escape path
Bobcats	Very shy, but can act defensively if threatened	Deep forest, rocky outcrops, remote areas	Low	Do not follow or corner wildlife
Red Fox	Usually avoids humans but can be bold if fed; potential disease risk	Open meadows, near coastlines, near picnic areas	Low	Never feed, keep distance
Porcupine	Not aggressive but can injure pets or hikers if startled	Woodland areas, tree-covered trails	Low	Maintain distance, keep pets leashed
Raccoon	Can bite if threatened; may carry rabies; attracted to food	Campgrounds, wooded areas, near water	Low	Secure trash and food, avoid interaction
Ticks (Blacklegged / Deer Tick)	Can transmit Lyme disease, very common in Acadia	Tall grasses, wooded trails, brushy areas	High	Use repellent, stay on trails, check for ticks
Harbor Seal	Bites possible if approached; mothers protective of pups	Shorelines, rocky coasts, Schoodic, Sand Beach area	Low	Observe from a distance, never touch pups
Harbor Porpoise	Not dangerous unless approached closely; can cause accidental injury	Nearshore waters	Very Low	Do not disturb marine animals
Jellyfish (Lion’s Mane)	Painful stings, common in cold waters	Sand Beach, coastal swimming areas	Moderate	Avoid touching washed-up jellyfish
Green/Asian Shore Crab	Mild pinch if handled	Tide pools, rocky shores	Very Low	Avoid handling marine life

1. Black Bears: Rare but Possible Encounters

Black bears (Ursus americanus) are the largest predators found in Acadia National Park. Though generally shy and non-aggressive, they can become dangerous if provoked or if they associate humans with food. In most cases, black bears avoid human contact, but incidents can occur.

In Acadia’s thick forests and remote areas, bears roam in search of berries, roots, insects, and small prey, and they will defend themselves if they feel startled or cornered. The greatest risk occurs when hikers inadvertently come too close, especially during late summer and fall when bears are actively feeding. Food left in vehicles, unattended backpacks, or picnic areas can create unnatural attraction, and once a bear learns to depend on these sources, it becomes far more unpredictable. 

While bear attacks in Acadia are extremely rare, the possibility is real enough that visitors must treat bears as powerful wild animals deserving space and caution.

How to Stay Safe:

i. Store food properly: Use bear-proof food containers when camping and never leave food unattended.

ii. Maintain distance: If you see a bear, stay at least 100 yards away.

iii. Make noise: Bears tend to avoid humans if they hear them coming, so make noise while hiking, especially in dense forested areas.

iv. If a bear approaches: Stand your ground, make yourself appear larger, and make loud noises. Do not run, as this could trigger a chase.

2. Coyotes: Opportunistic Predators

Coyotes (Canis latrans), increasingly common in Acadia, present another form of risk, though they are less dangerous to humans than most people imagine. The coyotes found in Maine tend to be larger than their western counterparts due to genetic mixing with wolves, and their strength and confidence reflect that heritage. 

They are highly intelligent predators that typically hunt rabbits, rodents, and occasionally fawns, but they can approach humans when they become accustomed to food scraps left along trails or campsites. A coyote that loses its natural fear can behave unpredictably, especially at night, and small pets are at particular risk. Most encounters, however, involve nothing more than a curious glance or a distant howl in the evening woods.

How to Stay Safe:

i. Don’t feed them: Feeding coyotes encourages them to lose their natural wariness and become more aggressive.

ii. Keep pets close: Coyotes may attack small pets, so keep dogs on a leash and never leave pets unattended in campsites.

iii. Stand your ground: If a coyote approaches, do not run. Instead, try to scare it away by making noise, waving your arms, and appearing large.

3. Ticks: Tiny, Persistent Threats

Although not an animal you would expect to be on a list of dangerous creatures, ticks are perhaps the most insidious threat in Acadia National Park. Several species, including the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also known as the deer tick, are prevalent in the area and can transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Throughout spring, summer, and fall, the park’s forests and meadows harbor deer ticks that can transmit Lyme disease. A dangerous animal is not always the biggest or the loudest—sometimes it's the nearly invisible one carried on the tip of a blade of grass. Visitors walking through brush or tall vegetation should remain aware that the risk is subtle but significant.

How to Stay Safe:

i. Wear protective clothing: Long pants, long sleeves, and light-colored clothing can help you spot ticks more easily.

ii. Use insect repellent: Apply a repellent containing DEET or permethrin to clothing and exposed skin.

iii. Check for ticks: After hiking, check your body and clothing thoroughly for ticks, paying special attention to areas like the scalp, behind the knees, and underarms.

iv. Prompt removal: If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it with tweezers, grasping it close to the skin and pulling gently.

4. Porcupines: Cute but Dangerous to Pets

Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) are common in Acadia and, while not aggressive, they can become dangerous if threatened. Their quills can cause painful injuries to pets or humans who come too close. These rodents are primarily nocturnal and slow-moving, but dogs are particularly at risk if they approach a porcupine out of curiosity.

How to Stay Safe:

i. Keep pets leashed: Porcupine quills are barbed and can easily lodge in the skin of a curious dog, making removal difficult and painful.

ii. Observe from a distance: If you encounter a porcupine, maintain a safe distance and allow the animal to move away naturally.

5. Raccoons: Clever, Curious, and Sometimes a Nuisance

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are frequent visitors to campsites in Acadia, scavenging for food left behind by visitors. While not dangerous in the typical sense, raccoons can carry diseases like rabies and are known for raiding campsites. They can become aggressive if they feel cornered or threatened, particularly if they are protecting their young.

They are also expert scavengers and can quickly tear into tents, backpacks, and coolers in search of a meal.

How to Stay Safe:

i. Secure food: Store food and garbage in secure containers to avoid attracting raccoons to your campsite.

ii. Avoid direct contact: Never approach a raccoon, especially if it is behaving unusually or appears unafraid of humans, as it may be sick or carrying rabies.

6. Moose: Majestic but Potentially Dangerous

Moose are the largest land mammals in New England, and though they’re not seen often in Acadia compared to inland parts of Maine, they do inhabit the park—particularly on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula. These giants can weigh over 1,000 pounds and reach heights of six feet at the shoulder.

Despite their calm appearance, moose can become extremely aggressive if startled, harassed, or during mating season (fall) and calving season (spring). Bulls may charge if they feel threatened, and cows will aggressively protect their young.

How to Stay Safe:

i. Keep your distance: Moose are unpredictable, so always stay at least 100 feet away. Never approach a moose, even if it seems calm.

ii. Watch for warning signs: If a moose lowers its head, flattens its ears, or stomps its feet, it may be preparing to charge. Back away slowly and seek cover behind a large object like a tree.

iii. Drive cautiously: Moose are often found near roads, especially at dawn and dusk, so be extra cautious when driving in the park.

7. Seals

Marine animals along Acadia’s rugged shoreline present their own set of hazards. Harbor seals and gray seals bask along the rocks and offshore islands, and while they appear harmless, they can bite if disturbed or approached too closely. 

Additionally, their presence attracts great white sharks to the coastal waters, particularly during the summer and early fall. While shark encounters with humans are very rare, visitors swimming or paddling in areas known for seal activity should understand the ecological relationship between predator and prey.

How to Stay Safe:

i. Observe from a distance: Maintain a safe distance from seals. Avoid getting between a seal and the water, as this can provoke a defensive response.

ii. Don’t attempt rescues: If you see a seal that appears stranded or injured, do not approach it. Instead, report the situation to park rangers or local wildlife authorities.

8. Snapping Turtles: Powerful Jaws and Bad Attitudes

Common snapping turtles can be found in and around the park's lakes and ponds. While not aggressive toward humans unless provoked, their powerful jaws can cause serious injury.

Be Cautious:

◉ Do not attempt to move or provoke snapping turtles.

◉ Give them space, especially during nesting season (spring and early summer).

◉ Teach children to observe wildlife from a distance.