Austria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and it is characterized by unique picturesque, amazing culture and a wide array of cuisine that you should try during your next visit. When looking for a tourist location then it should be among the top places that you should visit because you will enjoy your vacation in this location. During the winter period, Austria is one of the best skiing destinations that you will find on the European continent. Austria borders Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Liechtenstein. Since it is located in central Europe then you can easily access it from different parts of the continent. The country has emerged from the ancient Bavarian culture and it is a destination that is rich in culture and diversity. You should visit this awesome destination because you will meet the friendly people in the country as well as the different places that you can visit.
Austria is a predominantly mountainous region and the eastern Alps occupy over half of the country and the legendary Danube River flows up to 350 kilometers across the country. You will never miss amazing opportunities to explore different parts of the country when you visit the region. The allure that the country brings is something that you should look forward to when visiting the region. With the charming villages, picturesque mountains, and an amazing backdrop of rolling hills, you are sure to enjoy your vacation in this region. There is a wide array of animals that are drawn to the unique climatic condition and the serene environment, which makes it perfect for reproduction. There are some, which are friendly while others are utterly dangerous and you should avoid them at all costs because they could lead to severe injuries. Austria has a very interesting and bustling Alpine wildlife with many mountain goats, marmots, birds, and other beautiful animals. You are always lucky to spot them during your hikes
Check out: Best hikes in Austria
During your visit to the region, it is important that you are aware of your situation and you can move around easily to a safe area in case you encounter dangerous creatures.
Here are some of the most dangerous animals in Austria that you should look out for during your visit.
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The list of most dangerous animals in Austria
Most of the most dangerous animals in Austria are found in the wild, in the forests. So if you will be spending a lot of time hiking – better be ready, especially to avoid ticks, spiders or snakes.
Bigger predators like wolves or lynx are rarely seen on the more popular hiking routes.
Wolves
Perhaps this animal does not need any introduction; these are some of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter during your visit to the country. There were no wolves in the country until the last two decades when they were seen roaming in the forests across the country. They are usually moving from one region to another such as Slovenia and Italy. Austria is a stomping ground for these creatures and they often find this area pristine to make it their own habitat. There are around thirty wolves that are found in Austria, the majority of these creatures are moving in packs closer to the Czech border, and they are usually on the fields roaming and hunting for food. The wolves are very strong animals because they are muscular and they have very sharp teeth. It is imperative that you keep your distance when traveling to the country because they can infect you with rabies when they bite. Many farmers in the Salzburg region are calling for the local government to create protection and welfare for these creatures because they are attacking their livestock. Always keep your distance when traveling to this region because the wolves can be very dangerous creatures.
Golden Eagles
The golden eagles are some of the creatures that you are going to find in Austria. They are common high up in the mountains and they usually thrive in pairs. They are known to consume small rodents, rabbits, and marmots among other creatures.
Further reading: Guess what’s the most dangerous animal in Europe?
They have huge territories in the region and they are known to attain up to 320 kilometers per hour speeds and they can dive to catch the prey that they are looking for within minutes. The eagles might not pose a dangerous threat to the people. However, if they are hungry and are looking for something then they might attack you if you have food on your hands. You should avoid the areas with these eagles during the dry seasons.
Common Viper
When traversing the Austrian landscape then there is a high chance that you might encounter these snakes in the region because they are known to roam across the country. The mountains are home to a wide array of snake species and you should be careful. The common viper is usually found in the woods, meadows, hillsides, and areas with an elevation of up to 2000 meters above sea level. This is a very venomous snake and you should not startle it or disturb it when it is in its natural habitat because it will see it as aggression and it might bite you.
The common viper is known to grow up to 30 inches long and it usually has several colors ranging from red, brown to gray. The zigzag pattern on the body is what makes it more distinguishable from the rest of the snakes. In most cases, you will find these creatures in their own habitat and when they want to attack, you might hear a hissing sound. However, they cannot attack you unless you interfere with their habitat. The venom from this snake is very dangerous, especially to people who are highly allergic. They can cause swelling and, numbness of the affected area, other symptoms include a rise in blood pressure and heart among other cardiovascular problems.
Ticks
Perhaps these are some of the tiniest yet very dangerous creatures that you should avoid. According to recent data, ticks are known to carry a myriad of diseases the most common Lyme disease. The ticks usually inhabit the grasslands and they are known to thrive in these areas with the changes in climatic conditions favoring their activities. The common ticks usually stick to the host, they suck the blood from the host and use it as food before laying eggs and dropping off to generate new ticks. The process begins again.
Further reading: Best hikes in Salzburg
With many people visiting Austria for the best hiking experience, it is critical that you are wary of the environment that you are exploring because it can be quite dangerous. The ticks are carriers of a wide array of bacteria, and viruses among other disease-causing germs. It is imperative that when exploring the region, you should always have an insect repellant to ensure that the ticks stay away from you.
Wild Boar
The wild boars are some of the most dangerous creatures that you should avoid when visiting Austria. These creatures might seem lovely and cuddly when they are young, however, they are wild animals and you can expect them to charge at you as soon as they see you interfering with their habitat. These wild boars can grow to over a meter tall and they weigh up to 400 pounds. They usually have very sharp tusks and teeth. These are some of the most dangerous because they are usually used for boring into the soil and on tree roots as the animal is looking for food. The wild boars are usually thriving in forested lands and they might look less dangerous however, they are known to achieve speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and this means that they can attack you easily. They are mostly aggressive especially if they are nursing their young ones or during the mating season. You must avoid these areas during the seasons.
A few cases of the attacks have been reported and it is important that you do not become a statistic. However, in the event that you are attacked by these creatures then you should seek immediate medical attention. They are usually relentless hence the need to avoid the areas where you are going to find them.
Horned Viper
The horned viper is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find in Austria. The horned viper is usually native to the southern parts of Austria and it is one of the most dangerous creatures that you will encounter during your visit to the country. It is important that you take your time to explore the region properly because this will give you a better idea of what you are going to expect. They are easy to recognize because they have different color patterns on their body and they have a single on their stout. The patterns on the body will differ depending on the species be it male or female.
They are found on the embankments and in some cases in the human settlement areas. The horned viper is a shy creature and will always hide away from humans, however, whenever they feel threatened then they are going to attack. The way you will notice that they are about to attack you is the hissing sound which is usually a defensive signal. Some of the symptoms that occur when you are bitten by the snake include swelling, excruciating pain, discoloration, rapid heartbeat, and failure of the cardiac system. You should seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten by the snake.
Lynx
The lynx is a usually small creature that resembles the regular cat. However, they are bigger and you will see them roaming the lands across Austria. It is imperative to understand that the lynx is very unique in nature and they are usually carnivorous, consuming rodents and other small animals that are found in the forests. They are most common in the southern parts of Austria and it is imperative to note that they have a high level of strength and are very aggressive. In the recent past, there were efforts to reintroduce the Eurasian lynx and they are often in the Alps region.
They are deep in the forests and you are less likely to encounter them, however, in the process, if you encounter these creatures then you should be very careful. The lynx is often characterized by brown or reddish colors coupled with black spots and they can grow up to 47 inches long. They are solitary creatures and they hint alone. Do not interfere with them in their natural habitat because they can be very aggressive.
Brown Bear
Many people tend to think that brown bears are not found in Europe. However, this is not the case because they are found in Austria thriving in the mountains. There is a very minuscule chance that you might encounter these creatures during your trip to the region. It is imperative to understand that unless they are provoked these bears usually hide in the vegetation as they look for their food. There are over twenty thousand brown bears on the European mainland and Austria has a small part of this population. Some of the brown bears also migrate to the area from countries such as Romania and Slovenia.
The brown bears are usually humongous creatures and they can grow up to two meters tall and weigh over 800 pounds. They have very sharp claws; strong jaws and they can cause dangerous attacks on you if you are not careful. You should always stay away from the areas that are inhabited by these creatures. However, if you are attacked by the bears then it is critical that you seek immediate medical attention from a nearby clinic or hospital.
Spiders
Europe is one of the regions where you are going to find a multitude of spiders that range from the brown recluse to black widow spiders among others. The most common dangerous spider that you should look out for during your trip to the region is the brown recluse spider. As the name suggests, the spider is often characterized by brown color and a hairy body. They are mostly in northern Europe and they can grow up to 2 centimeters long. Ideally, these creatures are not aggressive and you will not encounter them if you follow the areas that you are supposed to stay in without interfering with their natural habitat. However, since they are often camouflaging in their natural habitat then there is a chance that you might encounter them and they can prove fatal.
They usually bite in a similar way to bee stings and you might assume that it is something small. However, the toxin from the spiders is known to be hemotoxic in nature and they can cause breathing difficulties, lowered blood pressure, and organ failure when the oxygen levels in the body drop to dangerously low levels. The spiders usually like living in dark areas and you will find them across the country. It is important to understand that if you are bitten by a spider then you should seek immediate medical attention.
FAQ about most dangerous animals in Austria
What’s the most dangerous animal in Austria?
The most dangerous animal in Austria is the brown bear, as it can cause the most damage to your health. If you spot any brown bears in the wild, try to avoid them, as they can get spooked and attack you. Especially if they are with their cubs.
Are there wolves in Austria?
Yes, you can find wolves in Austria. They are mostly migrating wolves from other countries. According to the last count, there are more than 20 wolves in Austria, so it would be an exception to see them in Austria.
Are there poisonous snakes in Austria?
Yes, you can find different kinds of vipers in Austria: common viper, horned viper, Orsini´s viper.
Are there big spiders in Austria?
Yes, but not the kind you find in Australia. The biggest spider in Austria is the wolf spider.
Are there wild cats in Austria?
Yes, but the population is very small and quite fragile. In Austria, you can find a European wildcat.
Are there moose in Austria?
Yes, but very small populations. Moose are found in much bigger populations in Nordic countries, Baltic states, Poland, etc. Moose in Austria are mostly migrating. Moose are mostly not aggressive and can get spooked only if harassed by people.
What is the national animal of Austria?
The national animal of Austria is the golden eagle.
Are there foxes in Austria?
Yes, you can find quite big populations of Red foxes in Austria. Unfortunately, red foxes are carriers of quite many pathogens.
In conclusion, Austria presents you with a myriad of opportunities to enjoy nature, explore different places and get to understand the diversity of the country.
