11 things lurking in New Jersey's forests that can kill you

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By Sophie Nieto-Munoz

Summer: the perfect time for soaking up the sun's rays, hiking in a forest or camping with some friends - until a tick bites or you hear an animal lurking about. It's all fun and games, until you confront something that can kill you. While there isn't much Jerseyans are scared of, here's 11 things to avoid when frolicking outdoors this summer.

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Video by Frank Conlon

Timber Rattlesnakes

22 snake species slither through the 21 counties of New Jersey, but this is one of two venomous, dangerous snakes found here. The Timber Rattlesnake's bite delivers a considerable amount of venom in just one bite. The reptile can grow up to five feet, quite large for a snake, and has long fangs that give them the ability to deliver large doses of venom.

In North Jersey, these snakes are found in forest habitats, the state Department of Environmental Protection said. They can be found in pineland habitats along streambanks and cedar swamps in South Jersey.If you see the snake, give it a wide berth. They can bite someone from a distance of up to half their body length away. If you are bitten, note the time and call 911 for assistance.

If you consider harming the animal because of its deadly bite, think again. Since it's an endangered animal, it's illegal to harm the animal.

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Sophie Nieto-Munoz | For NJ.com

Mushrooms

The most obvious piece of advice is to never eat a mushroom without identification, Luke Smithson, vice president of the New Jersey Mycology Association, said. There aren't too many mushrooms that are deadly without ingesting, but there are mushrooms that can cause you to become violently ill.

Amanita bisporigeraor the "Destroying Angel" andGalerina marginataare two of the more commonly found, lethal mushrooms, Smithson said.

"The other really common, but sometimes lethal, mushroom in the area is Chlorophyllum molydbites," he said. "While the toxins in that mushroom are not lethal itself, the violent gastrointestinal distress it causes can cause death in some individuals."

If you ended up eating a mushroom and feel sick, you can call NJ poison control hotline at 1800-222-1222. Of course, If you become seriously ill, call 911.

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Cornell University

Giant Hogweed

This plant should be avoided at all cost, because if it doesn't kill you, it could leave you blind or scarred. The toxic plant could grow more than 14-feet tall and can grow just about anywhere: roadside, forests, in bright areas or shady places. The plant's sap is what causes the most harm, Grabosky said.

"If you break a piece of the tissue and get oils on you, it can give you anything from a nasty rash to a nasty burn. A lot of people get it on their hands and rub their eyes and go blind," he said. "It's a particularly dangerous one."

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Black Bears

Black bears are just as much residents of Jersey as we are, with the 300 pound mammals wandering all 21 counties of the state. While there has only been one fatal bear attack in New Jersey, encounters with the animal aren't uncommon. Hikers and campers should take along pepper or bear spray. However, if you're lacking a deterrent spray, Frank Spiecker of Harbor Wildlife Control, said to never run from a bear, just slowly back away.

Running away from a bear will trigger their instincts and they'll just chase you, especially if it's a mama bear with cubs in the area. They'll do whatever it takes to avoid any threat to their babies and protect them, Spiecker said.

He advises campers to lock up food in the car and to absolutely avoid bringing any food into tents, because bears aren't shy. Hikers should bring food in a bag and raise it high off the ground, and never carry food in a backpack.

"We're not at the top of the food chain when it comes to bears," Spiecker said.

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Mosquitoes

Mosquito bites can be annoying and painful, but they often carry aggressive and deadly diseases. This summer is particularly mosquito ridden due to the wet spring.

The latest mosquito scare around the world was the Zika virus, but most recently, a Passaic county man died from eastern equine encephalitis after being bit by a mosquito, according to NorthJersey.com. It was only the second reported case of the disease in the state since 1984, but the list of deadly mosquito-borne diseases is long.

West Nile Virus has killed three N.J. residents since 2015. The Asian tiger mosquito is also infamous for driving the Zika epidemic and can be found in N.J.

So load of on bug spray, especially ones that contains at least 20 percent DEET, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Experts also suggest getting rid of standing water, planting lemon grass and staying inside at night, if you can.

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Sophie Nieto-Munoz | For NJ.com

Northern Copperhead

The Northern Copperhead is the only other snake you should avoid in N.J., due to its venomous bite. It's a typically shy reptile and not very common, but their venom can kill you. Their fangs inject prey with hemolytic venom, causing a breakdown of red blood cells, according to N.J.'s Department of Environmental Protection. Those who fall victim to a snake bite should immediately seek medical attention at a hospital, Spiecker said.

If the snake is on your property, steer clear of it and call a professional, Spiecker said. He also advise people to avoid killing snakes, as they're crucial to the environment and are beneficial to getting rid of rodents.

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Sophie Nieto-Munoz | For NJ.com

Lily of the Valley

This is one to look out for if you take your pets hiking or camping with you. Lily of the Valley is a lethal plant with poisonous, bright red berries.When ingested, even in small amounts, it can cause abdominal pain, reduced heart rate and rashes. It's most commonly ingested by animals and causes more severe clinical side effects, including heart arrhythmias and seizures.

New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station lists Lily of the Valley under its "harmful plants" gallery, citing it's positive qualities. Cardio-active medicines are derived from this plant, but it still warns of any ingestion.

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Rabid animals

If an animal comes up to you in the forest, it's likely not your winning smile. It just may be rabid. According to the N.J. Department of Health, at least 20 different species of animals have tested positive for rabies. Although people fear getting rabies from bats, raccoons are found to be infected by the deadly virus the most. Only 1 percent of bats are found to have the virus. However, if the bat if flying in the middle of the day, or fluttering on the ground, you should steer clear of it, health department officials say.

If you are bitten by a wild animal that you suspect is rabid, the Health Department says you should 1) try to contain the animal without getting bit again or exposed to its saliva, 2) contact an animal control officer or local police for help 3) seek medical advice about whether to get treatment 4)if the animal isn't available for testing, a doctor will determine if treatment is needed based on the bite and recommendations from the local health department.

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Coyotes

Even though these animals can be friendly, they also can be deadly to small children and toddlers. Coyotes don't typically approach you and will see you before you see them, Spiecker said. Chasing after it should scare it enough to run away, unless it has some kind of neurological problem that affects decision making, he said.

"If it runs to you, hope you're next to a door you can get into because you can't run from it," Spiecker said. But if it does attack, be prepared to get combative.

"Unlike humans, animals will back off if they see they can't win the fight," he said.

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Washington Township Police Department

Bobcats

Bobcats are the state's only wild cat, and they are dangerous especially if they're rabid. They once were found all over the state, but following massive deforestation and agricultural changes, the bobcat found itself as an endangered species in N.J. Bobcats prey on rabbits, mice, turkeys and small deer, the state's Department of Environmental Protection said. But if they are rabid, the animal becomes aggressive and may approach humans.

These felines aren't uncommon around the state. Just last month, a mom and her child locked themselves in a bathroom after a bobcat entered their home in Washington Township. A possibly rabid bobcat was found the next day after attacking a dog on the same street.

If you see one in the forest, treat it like a bear. Don't get excited about seeing it. Just back away slowly, but keep your eye on it as you back away. If you really want to see a bobcat, your best bet is to head over to a Jersey zoo where you can admire the felines safely.

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Sophie Nieto-Munoz | For NJ.com

Ticks are just as dangerous as they are gross. These arachnids spread deadly diseases if they bite you. Grabosky said two ticks to avoid in Jersey are the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and the Deer Tick, which is most common. He pointed out how important tick checks are in avoiding any health problems.

While Lyme disease is the most common result of a tick bite, the animal may also carry the Powassan virus, which is rare, but can be deadly. Other illnesses carried by ticks may cause paralysis, nausea and other flu like symptoms, or even make you allergic to meat.

"If it's not lethal, it certainly can set you back a long ways," Grabosky said.

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Related links

 

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Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snieto-munoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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