Skip to main content
Checking access…

Avoiding Poisonous Plants and Dangerous Animals

Quick Summary​

When spending time outdoors - whether camping, hiking, or during emergency situations - knowing how to identify and avoid poisonous plants and dangerous animals can prevent serious injury or illness. This guide covers the most common hazards you'll encounter and proven strategies to stay safe.

Why This Matters​

Every year, thousands of people suffer from plant poisoning or animal encounters that could have been prevented. Whether you're on a weekend camping trip, working in your garden, or finding yourself in an unexpected outdoor situation, these hazards are more common than you might think.

Consider these scenarios:

  • Your hiking trail becomes overgrown, forcing you through unfamiliar vegetation
  • A power outage sends you searching for supplies in areas you don't normally visit
  • You're camping in a new location without cell service
  • Your children are playing in a wooded area behind your home

Knowing what to avoid - and what to do if exposure occurs - can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a medical emergency.

Poisonous Plants: The Basics​

How Plants Poison You​

Plants protect themselves in two main ways:

Contact Dermatitis: The plant's oils, saps, or irritants cause skin reactions when touched. Think poison ivy, stinging nettle, or wild parsnip.

Ingestion Poisoning: The plant contains toxins that harm you when eaten. Examples include mushrooms, certain berries, or decorative plants like oleander.

Universal Rules for Plant Safety​

Follow these rules whether you're in familiar territory or somewhere new:

  1. Never eat unknown plants - Even plants that look similar to edible ones can be deadly
  2. Avoid plants with milky or discolored sap - Many toxic plants have white, yellow, or colored sap
  3. Don't touch unfamiliar plants with bare skin - Use a stick or wear gloves when investigating
  4. Learn the "big three" - Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac cause 85% of plant-related skin reactions
  5. When in doubt, stay away - It's better to be overcautious than poisoned

Recognizing Contact Dermatitis Plants​

Poison Ivy ("Leaves of three, let it be"):

  • Three leaflets per stem
  • Can grow as vine or shrub
  • Leaves may be shiny or dull
  • Found throughout North America except extreme desert and alpine areas

Poison Oak:

  • Similar three-leaf pattern
  • More common in western states
  • Leaves are more rounded and oak-like
  • Can cause same reaction as poison ivy

Stinging Nettle:

  • Heart-shaped, serrated leaves
  • Covered in tiny hairs that inject irritants
  • Causes immediate burning sensation
  • Common in moist, rich soils

If You Touch a Poisonous Plant​

Immediate action (first 15 minutes):

  1. Don't touch your face or other body parts
  2. Rinse affected area with cold water (hot water opens pores)
  3. Wash with dish soap if available - it cuts through plant oils better than regular soap
  4. Remove contaminated clothing carefully
  5. Clean under fingernails thoroughly

Within the first hour:

  • Apply rubbing alcohol to affected areas
  • Wash all clothing and gear that may have contacted the plant
  • Shower with cool water and dish soap

Dangerous Animals: Common Threats​

Insects and Arachnids​

Bees, Wasps, and Hornets:

  • Cause more deaths than snakes in North America
  • Aggressive when defending nests
  • Multiple stings can be dangerous even without allergies
  • Avoidance: Stay calm around them, avoid sweet scents, check areas before sitting

Ticks:

  • Carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other illnesses
  • Most active in spring and early summer
  • Found in tall grass, brush, and wooded areas
  • Prevention: Wear long pants, use repellent, check for ticks every 2-4 hours

Spiders (Black Widow, Brown Recluse):

  • Most spiders are harmless, but these two are medically significant
  • Black widows: shiny black with red hourglass marking
  • Brown recluse: brown with violin-shaped marking
  • Avoidance: Shake out clothing and shoes, use gloves when handling stored items

Venomous Snakes​

In North America, focus on:

  • Rattlesnakes (most common venomous snake)
  • Copperheads
  • Water moccasins (cottonmouths)
  • Coral snakes (rare, but deadly)

General snake safety:

  • Most bites occur when people try to handle or kill snakes
  • Wear boots and long pants in snake country
  • Use a flashlight at night
  • Step on logs, not over them
  • Make noise while hiking - most snakes will leave if they sense you coming

Snake-free areas:

  • Above 8,800 feet elevation
  • Ireland, New Zealand, Antarctica
  • Most islands (Hawaii, Madagascar are exceptions)

Water Hazards​

In freshwater:

  • Snapping turtles: powerful bite, aggressive when cornered
  • Alligators/crocodiles: found in southern US waterways
  • Electric eels: found in South American rivers
  • Piranhas: mostly scavengers, but can be aggressive in groups

In saltwater:

  • Jellyfish: Portuguese man-of-war, box jellyfish are most dangerous
  • Stingrays: shuffle feet when walking in shallow water
  • Sea urchins: spines can cause infection
  • Sharks: attacks are rare but follow basic precautions

Modern Safety Tools​

For plant identification:

  • PlantNet app (free, works offline after download)
  • Seek by iNaturalist (identifies plants via camera)
  • Local field guides for your region

For animal encounters:

  • Bear spray (more effective than firearms for most animals)
  • Snake bite kits (controversial - many experts recommend against suction devices)
  • Tick removal tools (fine-pointed tweezers work best)

When to Seek Help​

Emergency Situations

Call 911 immediately if:

  • Difficulty breathing after plant contact or animal bite
  • Severe swelling of face, throat, or tongue
  • Rapid pulse or dizziness
  • Snakebite (even if you think it's non-venomous)
  • Multiple bee stings (more than 10-15)
Seek Medical Attention For:
  • Persistent rash or blistering from plant contact
  • Signs of infection (red streaks, pus, fever)
  • Tick bite with bull's-eye rash
  • Any bite or sting that seems to be getting worse

Common Mistakes​

Mistake: "I grew up here, I know what's safe" Why it's wrong: Plants can look different in different seasons, lighting, or growth stages Instead: Always err on the side of caution, even in familiar areas

Mistake: Trying to remove an attached tick with petroleum jelly or heat Why it's wrong: These methods can cause the tick to regurgitate, increasing disease transmission Instead: Use fine-pointed tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull straight up

Mistake: Trying to suck venom from a snakebite Why it's wrong: This doesn't remove meaningful amounts of venom and can introduce bacteria Instead: Keep the victim calm, remove jewelry near the bite, and get to medical care quickly

Building Your Knowledge​

Start local: Learn the most common hazards in your area first. Your county extension office often has guides specific to your region.

Practice identification: Make it a game during hikes - spot and identify common plants and their look-alikes.

Build a reference: Keep photos of local hazardous plants and animals on your phone for offline reference.

  • Basic First Aid for Outdoor Emergencies - Treating bites, stings, and plant reactions
  • Building a Wilderness First Aid Kit - Essential supplies for outdoor emergencies
  • Safe Foraging Principles - How to safely identify edible wild plants
Source

Adapted from Field Manual FM-21-76

Last updated: January 18, 2026