Most travelers don’t mind a little sun or rain, but nothing makes a tourist second-guess a trip to Arizona more than the creepy-crawlies that bite (or sting) in the Sonoran Desert. If you stay on trails and use good judgment when hiking, a painful encounter with a snake or insect is unlikely. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, though you may be more likely to hear their rattling tails first. They usually don’t attack unless provoked, so simply keep a safe distance from the slithering desert dwellers and move along.

Scorpions tend to hide under rocks or in holes, and they typically sting people when they are inadvertently touched. If you’re particularly concerned about scorpions, shake out your shoes before putting them on and pay attention to what you grab when exploring the desert. Gila monsters are also venomous, but bites from these slow-moving creatures are rare.

If you’re stung or bitten by any poisonous desert dweller, don’t panic. Remove constricting jewelry and limit movement of the affected area in order to minimize venom from flowing into the rest of the bloodstream. Seek medical attention immediately.