Throughout North America, in the United States and Canada there are mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and deserts, all of which are home to some of the most dangerous animals ranging from insects to large predator species. Here are the Top 10 Most Dangerous Animal found throughout North America.
10. The Deer Tick
This succubus insect may be small, and often hidden in plain sight, the Deer Tick is one of the most dangerous insects found in this region of the world. Deer ticks are more dangerous than other ticks, such as the Wood Tick, because the Deer Tick carries many more diseases. Lyme Disease is no joke, and can have serious impacts on your health! Ticks are actually blind, and have tiny senors that detect body heat from large animals, and when they spot our delicious warmth they hop right on for their next meal. Talk about creepy.
9. The American Bison
On to a larger, more noticeably dangerous animal, the American Bison is not something you want to mess with. The American Bison can weigh over 2000 pounds, they stand almost 6 feet high, and are around 14 feet long! They are so large, and aggressive that their only natural predators are Gray Wolves, and Grizzly Bears. Unfortunately, like many other animals in the wild, the American Bison is Endangered. Due to conservation efforts their numbers have increased, but they are still killed for their meat. Bison rarely come in contact with human, but they can easily crush you, and become extremely dangerous if they feel threatened.
8. The Gray Wolf
Wolves have a bad reputation of being aggressive, and dangerous to humans. Although this is not entirely untrue you are very unlikely to ever encounter one of these majestic predators in the wild. Wolves are pack hunters, and a pack of wolves, can bring down almost anything. Gray Wolves can weigh up to 176 pounds, and armed with one of the strongest bite-forces of any animal they are known as one of the most deadliest canines in the world! They have NO natural predators.
7. Spiders
Creepy, crawly spiders of all varieties our found in different regions of North America, one of the most deadly of those is the Brown Recluse. They have a highly venomous bite, and are often found living closer to home than you would like to think. When they feel threatened they immediately bite, sending toxic venom into the skin causing swelling, redness, and children can even die! Some bites can result in necrotic lesions if not treated immediately.
The Black Widow spider is the 2nd most dangerous spider in the world! Its venom is known to be 15 times more venomous than a Rattlesnake. Although deaths are rare these days, thanks to wonderful anti-venom, if you see one of these spiders its best to just walk, or run far away from it.
6. The Cougar (Mountain Lions)
The Cougar is the top predator in the mountains of North America, they feast on Moose and Elk, can weigh up to 220 pounds! They are the world's 4th largest cat. They usually avoid humans, but if you cross paths with one who is starving, it could attack and most likely kill you. Their only natural predator is humans, which have caused species threatening declines, these animals are tough, holding their own against a pack of wolves. They are only vulnerable to Grizzly Bears.
5. Alligators
Another top predator in North America is the Alligator. They have a bite-force of up to 2000 pounds, can be 16 feet long, and around 1300 pounds! They like to eat large prey like Wild Boars, Deer, and Turtles. They like to be left alone, and have a fear of humans like many other wild animals. They can be extremely dangerous if they do not have that fear, or feel threatened. They can live around 50 years in the wild and over 100 years in captivity.
4. Coral Snakes
Coral snakes possess some of the most potent venom found in any snake in North America. On average 15-25 people are bitten annually by these snakes. They are very small, only growing to about 2-3 feet long. They are very elusive so your chances of running into one are very small.
3. Grizzly Bears
The Grizzly Bear is one of the biggest, baddest, and one of the most aggressive bears on the planet. They can weigh over 1300 pounds, almost 10 feet long, and is about 3 feet from paws to shoulders! A Grizzly can kill a human with one paw-swipe. Surprisingly, their teeth aren't very big or sharp, but the force of their bite is strong enough to crush a bowling ball. Like many bears, Grizzly's are omnivores, which means they will eat anything! From grass, small insects, even Bison and Moose are not immune from a Grizzly attack.
2. The Cotton-Mouth
The Cotton-Mouth, aka a Water Moccasin is a venomous snake in the pit viper family. They are about 3 feet long, and weigh just a little over one pound, but some have been known to grow to weigh over 10 pounds. Cotton-Mouths are the only venomous water snake in North America, they often live close to people, swimming in lakes, and creeks, but bites are rare. They mostly eat fish, but will go for frogs, crayfish, and in some areas baby alligators, turtles, and other snakes.
1. The Rattlesnake
North America is home to MANY species of Rattlesnakes; Eastern Diamondback, Western Diamondback, Mojave, Pygmy, Tiger, and Sidewinder, just to name a few. They all live in desert areas, and often hunt at night. Rattlesnakes are also found in Central and South America. Some Rattlesnakes control the amount of venom injected from a bite, such as the Pygmy and Sidewinder which will only make you sick for a few days. The Mojave and Tiger Rattlesnakes can kill you within hours if not treated. Although they are one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, they have plenty of predators; such as Roadrunners, Coyotes, Hawks, Opossums, and even other snakes. Like most snakes they enjoy small rodents, lizards, and other small animals.
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