Mount Washington, located in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States. The mountain is known for its extreme weather conditions, with one of the world’s highest wind velocities ever recorded there in 1934.
While the area is full of abundant wildlife, including foxes, woodchucks, grouse, moose, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and even black bears, there have also been rare sightings of mountain lions in the area.
You are reading: Discover 3 Animals That Lurk Atop New Hampshire’s Tallest Mountain
In this article, we will discover three animals that can be found atop New Hampshire’s tallest mountain.
3 Animals That Lurk Atop New Hampshire’s Tallest Mountain
Moose
Moose are majestic creatures that can be found in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, including the area surrounding Mount Washington. These massive animals are a popular attraction for visitors to the region, and there are even dedicated moose tours available for those who want to increase their chances of spotting one.
One such tour is the Moose Safari moose tour, which departs from North Conway and travels various notch roads through the White Mountain National Forest and beyond. Local outfitters, such as Gorham and Pemi Valley Moose Tours, also offer guided experiences for those looking to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat.
The success of these moose tours is evident in the reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers. One visitor from Georgia, who had been searching for moose during their trip to New Hampshire, finally had their wish fulfilled on the North Conway Safari, where they saw a total of seven moose, including a baby, cows with their calves, and a bull moose.
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For those who prefer a self-guided experience, there are also tips and advice available on how, when, and where to spot moose in New England. Whether you choose to join a tour or explore on your own, encountering a moose in the wild is sure to be a memorable experience during your visit to Mount Washington and the surrounding area.
Black bears
Black bears are a common sight in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, including the area surrounding Mount Washington. Here are some facts about black bears:
– Appearance: Black bears are the most common bear species in North America, and they typically live in forests but can also be found in mountains and swamps. Despite their name, black bears can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown, cinnamon, or even (very rarely) white. They are large and stocky, with adults ranging from 1.3 to 1.9 meters in length and weighing between 60 and 300 kg.
– Diet: Black bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet consists mostly of grasses, roots, berries, and insects, but they will also eat fish and mammals, including carrion. Black bears living in areas near human settlements or around a considerable influx of recreational human activity often come to rely on foods inadvertently provided by humans, especially during summertime.
– Behavior: Black bears are solitary animals that roam large territories, though they do not protect them from other bears. They are strong and muscular and can climb trees with their curved claws. Black bears are very opportunistic eaters and can easily develop a taste for human foods and garbage. Bears who become habituated to human food at campsites, cabins, or rural homes can become dangerous and are often killed.
It’s important to note that while black bears are a common sight in the area, visitors should take precautions to avoid encounters with them, such as properly storing food and garbage and making noise while hiking to alert bears of your presence.
Mountain lions
Mountain lions, also known as cougars, pumas, panthers, or catamounts, are large cats native to the Americas. Here are some facts about mountain lions:
– Appearance: Mountain lions are tan in color and have a noticeably long tail. They are the most widely distributed large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere and have the greatest range of any living mammal in the Americas, spanning from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes in Chile.
– Diet: Mountain lions are carnivores and prey on a variety of animals, including deer, wild hogs, rabbits, jackrabbits, javelinas, and rodents. They are stealthy predators that hunt at night and often lie in wait for prey or silently stalk it before pouncing from behind and delivering a lethal bite to the spinal cord.
– Behavior: Mountain lions are solitary animals and are highly territorial. They are adaptable and can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, prairies, deserts, and swamps. Mountain lions are an “umbrella species” for conservation because their conservation depends on the preservation of large wilderness habitats.
While rare, there have been reports of mountain lion sightings in New Hampshire, including near Mount Washington. Visitors to the area should take precautions to avoid encounters with mountain lions, such as traveling in groups, making noise to alert the animals of your presence, and avoiding hiking during dawn and dusk when mountain lions are most active.
FAQS
1. What kind of animals can be found in the White Mountains of New Hampshire?
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The White Mountains of New Hampshire are home to a variety of animals, including foxes, woodchucks, grouse, moose, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and even black bears.
2. Are moose tours available in the area surrounding Mount Washington?
Yes, there are dedicated moose tours available for those who want to increase their chances of spotting a moose. Local outfitters, such as Gorham and Pemi Valley Moose Tours, offer guided experiences for those looking to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat.
3. Are black bears dangerous to humans?
While black bears are generally not aggressive towards humans, they can become dangerous if they become habituated to human food at campsites, cabins, or rural homes. Visitors to the area should take precautions to avoid encounters with black bears, such as properly storing food and garbage and making noise while hiking to alert bears of your presence.
4. Are mountain lions common in New Hampshire?
No, mountain lions are not common in New Hampshire, but there have been rare sightings of mountain lions in the area surrounding Mount Washington.
5. What should I do if I encounter a mountain lion?
Visitors to the area should take precautions to avoid encounters with mountain lions, such as traveling in groups, making noise to alert the animals of your presence, and avoiding hiking during dawn and dusk when mountain lions are most active. If you do encounter a mountain lion, do not run, as this may trigger the animal’s instinct to chase. Instead, stand your ground, make yourself look bigger, and make loud noises to scare the animal away.
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Category: Animals
