Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
These largest members of the deer family are big, dark, difficult to see at
night and will often run away from a car or truck and then cut right in
front of the vehicle at the last second. Because of their height and weight
they land atop the roof of the car, injuring the occupants. Slow down and
pass Moose with care. Also, when you see one moose or deer, be sure to
look on the opposite side of the road as well; there may well be more.
Any animal, no matter how cute or cuddly,
should not be handled and should be left
alone. Fox, raccoons, skunks and other ani-
mals are potential rabies carriers.
At Sea
While Maine waters are home to small
sharks
, commonly called dogfish,
they are not a threat to humans. Larger sharks are sometimes caught off-
shore, but no beach has been closed in recent times due to concerns over
shark attacks.
Keep an eye out for the numerous small red and clear
jellyfish
that often
school in saltwater. While not as life-threatening as the Portuguese man-
of-war found in warmer climes, they can still sting, even if touched after
they have washed up on the beach.
Plants
Maine has
poison ivy
, which can be found almost anywhere. It is a
three-leaved vine and is most commonly found in roadside ditches and on
trees. Poisonous
mushrooms
grow in Maine. Telling them apart from
edible species is difficult. Authorities urge only experts to pick any for
human consumption.
Two-Legged Varmints
The crime rate in Maine is thankfully low. Random violence is rare, with
most criminal activity involving petty theft and vandalism. Like most
places, more caution is urged in larger population centers. Many people
in Maine still do not lock the doors of their homes at night and often leave
their keys in the car all the time. The fact that Maine also has one of the
highest rates of personal firearm ownership has sociologists wondering if
that may be a factor considered by would-be ne'er-do-wells.
The low crime rate, however, does not mean that tourists should let down
their guard. Visitors should take these basic precautions.
