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The 10 Deadliest Animals in Vermont

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The 10 Deadliest Animals in Vermont


Vermont’s landscapes are home to a wide variety of wildlife. While the state’s natural beauty attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round, it also harbors a number of animals that can pose dangers to humans and pets. From the towering moose that roam the northern woodlands to the venomous Eastern timber rattlesnake hidden in rocky outcrops, the fauna in Vermont includes species capable of inflicting serious harm. These ten are the most deadly.

Black Bear

American Black Bear in water.

The American black bear is one of the largest omnivorous mammals found in Vermont’s forests and mountainous regions. With a coat that can range from jet black to a lighter brown or cinnamon, these bears are easily identifiable by their broad heads, small, rounded ears, and stocky bodies. Black bears in Vermont are primarily found in remote forested areas, particularly in the Green Mountains and along the Appalachian Trail, where they forage for berries, nuts, and insects.

What makes black bears deadly is their sheer strength and unpredictable behavior when they feel threatened. While attacks on humans are rare, they can be triggered if a bear feels its cubs are in danger or if it is surprised at close range. In such cases, the bear may become aggressive, and its powerful jaws and sharp claws can inflict serious injuries and death.

Eastern Timber Rattlesnake

Timber Rattlesnakes.
Timber Rattlesnakes.

The Eastern timber rattlesnake is one of Vermont’s few venomous reptiles, recognizable by its thick, muscular body and distinctive dark crossbands over a yellow, brown, or gray background. These snakes are endangered and rare to see in the state. They typically reside in remote, rocky hillsides, forests, and ledges in southern Vermont, preferring areas that offer plenty of sun exposure for basking.

Despite their elusive nature, timber rattlesnakes are highly dangerous due to their potent venom. A bite from this snake can result in severe pain, swelling, and even death if not treated promptly. The rattlesnake’s warning rattle is often the first sign of its presence, but if this signal is ignored or if the snake feels cornered, it may strike in self-defense. While fatalities are rare with modern medical treatment, the risk of a deadly encounter is real, particularly for hikers who may inadvertently come across these camouflaged serpents.

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Moose

Super Moose.
Super Moose.

Moose are the largest animals in Vermont, towering over the landscape with their long legs, humped shoulders, and massive antlers that can span several feet across. These creatures are commonly found in Vermont’s northern forests, wetlands, and along remote roads, particularly in areas like the Northeast Kingdom. Their dark brown coats, long faces, and stature make them an iconic symbol of the state’s wildlife.

Despite their generally calm demeanor, moose are dangerous due to their size. Moose are known to charge when they feel threatened, particularly during the rutting season in the fall or when cows are protecting their calves. A charging moose can easily trample or gore with its antlers, posing a significant threat to humans.

Coyotes

Coyote in the tall fall grass in the early morning fall light.
Coyote in the tall fall grass in the early morning fall light.

Coyotes are highly adaptable predators found throughout Vermont, from the rural countryside to the edges of suburban areas. They resemble small wolves with slender bodies, bushy tails, and a coat that range from grayish-brown to reddish-brown. Coyotes often hunt in pairs or small family units.

Coyotes can become a threat, especially if they lose their fear of people or are protecting a den with pups. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and may attack and kill small pets or livestock, particularly during the winter months when food is scarce. In rare cases, coyotes have been known to act aggressively toward humans, especially if they are habituated to human food sources.

Bobcat

Bobcat close up wild animal.
Bobcat close-up wild animal.

Bobcats are predators native to Vermont, characterized by their short “bobbed” tails, tufted ears, and spotted coats. These medium-sized wildcats inhabit forests, swamps, and rocky outcroppings across the state, where they are rarely seen due to their solitary and nocturnal habits.

Although bobcats are not typically aggressive toward humans, they also can pose a danger to pets and livestock. If cornered or threatened, a bobcat may defend itself with sharp claws and powerful bites, which can cause serious injuries. Additionally, bobcats are carriers of diseases like rabies and feline distemper, which can be transmitted to pets and potentially humans. Their agility and strength make them formidable opponents if provoked.

Fisher Cat

Fisher (Martes pennanti) Stands Up Tall In Tree Winter.
Fisher (Martes pennanti) Stands Up Tall In Tree Winter.

The fisher cat, a member of the weasel family, is found in Vermont’s forests, particularly in the more densely wooded areas. Despite its name, the fisher is not a cat but a sleek, dark-furred carnivore with a long body and bushy tail. They are highly skilled climbers and hunters, preying on small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and even porcupines, making them one of the few predators capable of tackling such prickly prey.

Fisher cats are known for their aggressive behavior and can be dangerous, especially to domestic animals like cats and small dogs. Their sharp teeth and claws make them formidable, and they often strike without warning. Their high-pitched scream, often heard at night, adds to their reputation.

White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Buck in autumn.
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Buck in autumn.

White-tailed deer are one of the most common and recognizable animals in Vermont, found in forests, fields, and even suburban areas across the state. These graceful creatures are identified by their reddish-brown coats in summer, which turn grayish in winter, and the distinctive white underside of their tails, which they raise when alarmed. Deer are a frequent sight throughout Vermont, often seen grazing at dawn and dusk.

While deer are not aggressive, they are responsible for a significant number of road accidents, particularly in the fall during the breeding season, known as the rut. These accidents can be deadly, as a collision with a full-grown deer can cause serious damage to vehicles and result in severe injuries or fatalities for the occupants. Thus, while they might not be dangerous in the traditional sense, the risks associated with white-tailed deer are nonetheless significant.

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Black-legged Ticks

Parasitic deer tick waiting on green leaf.
Parasitic deer tick waiting on green leaf.

The black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick, is a tiny arachnid found throughout Vermont, particularly in wooded areas, grassy fields, and along hiking trails. These ticks are most active from spring through fall, lurking on low vegetation where they latch onto passing animals or humans. Adult black-legged ticks are about the size of a sesame seed, with a reddish body and black legs.

What makes black-legged ticks deadly is their ability to transmit Lyme disease, a serious and potentially chronic illness. When an infected tick bites, it can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease into the bloodstream. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, and a distinctive bullseye-shaped rash, but if left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to severe neurological, cardiac, and joint issues.

Porcupine

Close-up portrait of the porcupine. It consists of brown, grey, and white colors.
Close-up portrait of the porcupine. It consists of brown, grey, and white colors.

Porcupines are easily recognizable due to their spiky quills and are found throughout Vermont’s forests and woodlands. These nocturnal rodents are slow-moving and tend to climb trees in search of food, mainly feeding on bark, leaves, and twigs. Porcupines are well-equipped to defend themselves with thousands of sharp quills that cover their backs and tails. Their quills lie flat until the animal feels threatened, at which point they are raised in defense.

While porcupines are not deadly to humans, they can be lethal to pets, particularly curious dogs who may try to engage with them. A single swipe of the porcupine’s tail can embed dozens of quills into the skin of an attacker. These quills are barbed and can work their way deeper into the flesh over time, causing severe pain and infections.

Bald-Faced Hornet

Bald-faced Hornet Fly (Dolichovespula maculata) pollinating a yellow Common Tansy wildflower.
Bald-faced Hornet Fly (Dolichovespula maculata) pollinating a yellow Common Tansy wildflower.

The bald-faced hornet, despite its name, is not a true hornet but a species of yellowjacket wasp commonly found throughout Vermont. These insects are easily identified by their black bodies with white markings on their face and thorax. They build large, paper-like nests in trees, shrubs, or under eaves, which can contain hundreds of workers. Bald-faced hornets are most active during the late summer and early fall when they become particularly defensive of their nests.

Unlike bees, these bald-faced hornets can sting repeatedly, injecting venom that causes intense pain and swelling. For those who are allergic to insect stings, a bald-faced hornet attack can quickly become life-threatening, leading to anaphylactic shock if not treated immediately. Even in non-allergic individuals, multiple stings can cause significant discomfort and require medical attention. Their nests, often hidden from view until disturbed, make accidental encounters dangerous, especially for outdoor workers or hikers.

While Vermont is often celebrated for its wilderness, it is important to remember that even in this setting, certain animals pose real dangers. Whether it’s the unpredictable aggression of a startled black bear, the silent threat of a black-legged tick carrying Lyme disease, or the sudden sting of a bald-faced hornet, these creatures remind us that nature, though beautiful, can also be perilous. Awareness and respect for the wildlife around us are key to safely navigating the state’s diverse ecosystems.

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Vermont

Body of New Jersey fitness coach found in Vermont river after apparent swimming accident

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Body of New Jersey fitness coach found in Vermont river after apparent swimming accident


The body of a New Jersey fitness coach who disappeared while swimming in Vermont has been found, authorities said.

Tuan Baldino, 35, was recovered on Wednesday afternoon in the Mad River at Warren Falls in Warren, according to the Vermont State Police.

Baldino, of Paramus, was first reported missing on Saturday in the Cascades section of Warren Falls, which is a popular natural waterpark.

Tuan Baldino, 35, worked as a personal trainer.

The falls and surrounding river remained closed after the high and fast-moving water made recovery efforts difficult, the state police noted.

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“The Vermont State Police cautions the public to expect continued hazardous conditions even after the area re-opens to the public, and to avoid swimming or jumping into the river,” the statement read.

Several logs were also pulled from the water during the search, the officials added.

Baldino’s death is not considered suspicious.

Baldino frequently shared photos of his workouts.
Tuan Baldino lived in Paramus, New Jersey. It is not clear why he was in Vermont.

Baldino ran a personal training service called Fitness Gainz Academy and also trained clients at other local gyms, according to his social media.

He graduated from Bergen Community College with an associate’s degree in exercise science, and as well as a Bachelor’s in psychology from Kean University.

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In April 2018, Baldino updated his Facebook friends with some much-needed encouragement.

“Always remember to appreciate what you have and not what you don’t have,” he wrote. “You only get one life to live. So live your life abundantly with no regrets.”



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Misbehaving leaf-peepers lead Vermont town to close road to non-residents this fall

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Misbehaving leaf-peepers lead Vermont town to close road to non-residents this fall


Jenne Road in Reading will be closed to out-of-towners this fall, after residents reported complaints of blocked traffic, trespassing, and littering in past years. The location is a popular spot for leaf-peepers looking to take the perfect selfie or photo for social media.



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Vermont saw its warmest start to the year ever, continuing a warming trend in the region

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Vermont saw its warmest start to the year ever, continuing a warming trend in the region


The first half of this year was the hottest on record for Vermont, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Last year was a record breaking warm year for Burlington and St. Johnsbury, which saw their hottest years on record in 2023. This year could be another.

The Green Mountain State is not alone in this trend. Last year, dozens of cities across the Northeast saw their hottest years on record, and this past January through July was the second hottest period on record for the entire lower 48.

Warming temperatures affect Vermont in myriad ways. Data from the Vermont Department of Health shows the state sees more heat related emergency room visits on extremely hot days.

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Additionally, Vermont sees more ER visits related to heat illness during years that are exceptionally hot. And the state has seen a steady uptick in ER visits for heat illness since 2003, though Vermont still sees relatively few deaths from heat exposure annually.

And many Vermont communities were flooded four times in the last year, all during events that scientists say were made worse by human caused climate change.

More from Vermont Public: Flash flooding tears through rural communities in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

People who live in cooler parts of the state, like the Upper Valley or Northeast Kingdom, aren’t immune to the impacts of warmer temperatures — in fact, the health department says people conditioned to cooler weather can be affected at lower temperatures, making those parts of the state especially vulnerable.

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Kyle Ambusk

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Vermont Public

Route 5 through St. Johnsbury Center along the Passumpsic River at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2024.

But a hotter than normal summer and spring also has implications for agriculture.

Timothy Hughes-Muse of Laughing Child Farm in Pawlet grows about 30 acres of sweet potatoes.

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“Over the years, we’ve kind of moved things up ahead of schedule a little bit, just trying to kind of match what the season used to be like,” Hughes-Muse said. “So we’ll plant earlier and we start harvest earlier and so on.”

But this year, he says, the potatoes are exceptionally far along.

“It seems like it’s about 10 days ahead of schedule, in terms of how big the potatoes are and how fast things happen,” he said this week.

In general, Hughes-Muse says it’s getting easier to grow sweet potatoes in Vermont because they like warm summer nights, when the temperature is about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Vermont has seen an above average number of very warm nights since 2005, according to NOAA.

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Over the years, we’ve kind of moved things up ahead of schedule a little bit, just trying to kind of match what the season used to be like.

Timothy Hughes-Muse, Laughing Child Farm

Jon Wagner of Bear Roots Farm in Williamstown has also noticed changes because of the heat this summer.

“We’re usually not harvesting until the end of August, into September, and we’re already pulling ripe pumpkins out of the field,” he said this week. “Same thing with our onion crop, that came in a month early.”

Wagner says last year they lost about 75% of their crop yield to flooding, so he welcomes the bumper year. And while this summer was abnormally warm overall, he says they didn’t see too many days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is when a lot of leafy crops start to be hurt by the heat.

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Still, Wagner says it’s getting harder for farmers to predict and adapt to the seasons as Vermont’s climate changes.

He says if beans and corn and tomatoes also ripen ahead of schedule, farms could find themselves short on crops to sell at the end of the season.

“It feels kind of like we’re on the front lines of it all,” he said.

Globally, NOAA says July marked the 14th straight month of record-high temperatures. The agency says there is a 75% chance that 2024 will be the warmest year on record, and scientists broadly agree that burning fossil fuels is the leading cause of this warming trend.

Additionally, most of the Atlantic Ocean saw its hottest January-July period ever, which forecasters say is one of the key factors fueling a particularly intense hurricane season.

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Already the remnants of Hurricanes Beryl and Debby have caused flooding in Vermont, and hurricane season extends through the end of November.

Looking ahead to the next few months, NOAA is forecasting a warmer- and wetter-than-normal fall for Vermont and New England.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.





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