7 Most Dangerous Animals in San Diego

San Diego is renowned for its pearl-white sandy beaches and pristine surfing waters. However, humans aren’t the only residents of Southern California’s sunniest city. 

All sorts of critters go bump in the night — most harmless to humans, but some can pose a threat. 

Mountain Lions 

Pumas, cougars, mountain lions — call them what you want. They’re different names for the same animal: a massive cat that is one of the apex predators in all of North America. 

To call them large is an understatement. In maturity, they are longer than the tallest human and can outrun even a peak Olympic sprinter. They’re predators, born to kill. 

Fortunately, mountain lion attacks are rare. From 1986 to 2024, there were 26 attacks, both fatal and non-fatal. Most victims were children. Mountain lions are usually found in national parks or the mountains surrounding most California coastal cities. 

Stay calm if you’re out trekking around San Diego and see one. Stand tall and appear intimidating. Do not run. This will trigger their prey drive, and they’ll want to chase you. 

Rattlesnakes 

Rattlesnakes are the most common venomous snakes in California. Their venom can do some serious damage. 

They attack when they feel attacked, meaning they won’t go out of their way to bite someone, only if they feel threatened — so don’t threaten them. Leave them be. It’s the best way to avoid a snake bite. 

Chances are you’ll hear their iconic rattle before anything else. Usually, dogs get bitten, given their tendency to stick their noses where they shouldn’t be. 

If you or a loved one are bitten, don’t panic. The data is on your side. Out of the nearly 8,000 yearly rattlesnake bites in the United States, only one or two people die. Get an ambulance to your location right away. Time is of the essence when dealing with a snake bite. 

One final note: Do not, despite what the old wives’ tales say, try to suck the venom out of the bite. 

Great White Sharks 

San Diego County holds the record for most shark incidents since 1950 at 24 — not that many, given the massive hold shark attacks have over the collective imagination. You have a 1 in 17 million chance of getting attacked by a shark. Sightings of these great aquatic beasts are much more common than attacks. 

Great white sharks usually attack people because they think they’re a sea lion or other prey that sharks hunt. Most of the time, they co-exist with humans swimming in their habitat. 

They have a fearsome reputation, but the truth is they’re just not interested in humans. Given great white shark conservation efforts, their population has increased, but shark attacks haven’t. 

Black Bears 

Black bears are abundant in California, so they’re frequently caught rifling through people’s trash. There have been a handful of attacks, but only one recorded fatality, in 1986. 

Out of all the bears in North America, the black bear is the one you would want to come across when you’re out in the woods. They’re the most afraid of humans and usually opt to flee instead of defending themselves, which is why they would attack a person in the first place. 

Remember this idiom for bear attacks: “If it’s black, fight back. If it’s brown, lay down. If it’s white, say goodnight.” 

With black bears, going on the offensive is your best chance of survival. With brown bears, your best chance is to act dead. With polar bears, you have no chance — good thing there aren’t any around San Diego. 

Scorpions 

Beware of scorpion stingers. The concern here isn’t dying— there hasn’t been a recorded death by scorpion since the 1940s — but rather the pain. Scorpion venom is incredibly painful. 

Especially if you get stung by the Arizona bark scorpion, one of the most venomous in North America, a sting from one of these critters packs a serious punch. It is potentially worse for young children and the elderly. 

They’re found in the southern deserts of California. If you head to Joshua Tree, just be careful of what’s below your feet. 

Besides scorpions, there are other small creatures to be wary of, such as brown recluse spiders, wasps, and black widows. To prevent them from entering your home, seal entry points like gaps in doors, keep your outdoor areas free from debris where they like to live, and apply repellents around the perimeter of your house. 

Coyotes 

Can we blame an animal for being defensive when humans encroach on its ecosystem? After all, most animal attacks are carried out as a defense mechanism. Such is the case with coyotes. 

The most dangerous coyote is one that has become habituated to humans. These animals act more boldly when they’re unafraid of people by stealing food from unaware campers or snatching puppies from backyards. 

Like other animals, they will be much more aggressive when protecting their offspring and often go after targets they think they can handle, like children. 

They eat whatever they can get their paws on, and if you are standing in the way of their food source, they’ll give you a little nip to show they mean business. If you’re having issues with coyotes, call your local animal control. 

Dogs 

Humanity’s best friend is by far the most dangerous animal in the state of California and the rest of the country. Recent data shows an uptick in hospitalizations and deaths from dog bites. 

While people fear animals like stingrays or American cougars, in a city like San Diego, canines are the biggest threat. 

If a dog bites you, follow these steps: 

• Report the incident to law enforcement and get a report. 

• Contact animal control. 

• Give a detailed description of the animal(s) or send photos. 

• Get the owner’s information, such as name, address, and phone number. 

• Gather witness information. 

• If you cannot identify the dog owner, try to get information like vehicle description, license number, or physical features. 

• Provide the exact location and time of the incident. 

• Give a brief description of the incident. 

• Seek medical attention. 

• Call a San Diego dog bite attorney. 

The Advocates: Personal Injury Professionals 

Any attack by an animal is a personal injury, something The Advocates are well-versed in. If you or a loved one has experienced an animal attack, reach out to us. 

Consultations are always free, and only after we hear the details of your case can we say for sure if we can take it on. 

San Diego is a sunny city with a perfect mix of mountains to explore, beaches to relax on, and oceans to swim in. These places are not just recreation areas but homes to the other lifeforms humans share this planet with. 

Remember that next time you spend time in the Great Outdoors surrounding the Birthplace of California.