Top Ten Most Dangerous Animals in North America
- Deer
Yes, Bambi! I know you were expecting something pretty spectacular like man-eating sharks and killer bears, but no, you got deer. Statistically speaking deer kill more people in North America than any other animal – around 200 human deaths every year. And how do they do this? With their killer antlers and powerful kicking hooves? No, they are just really bad at crossing roads. So bad that in 2000 it is estimated that around 100,000 were run over in the US alone. They even have an official name for it; a deer-vehicle collision or DVC for short. The primary culprits are white tailed deer.
- Bears
Of all three it is the brown bear that has the worst reputation and more specifically the grizzly bear. Even the scientific name suggests it might be trouble – Ursus arctos horribilis. Although responsible for less attacks than the black bear these are generally more serious. This is largely due to the grizzly’s greater size, aggression and territorial nature. Weighing in at around five times the weight of a human and almost 10 feet (3m) tall in some cases these are big animals. They are incredibly powerful, equipped with strong jaws and five inch long, lethally sharp claws. When attacking the grizzly will stand on its hind legs towering above the victim. It has been reported that the bear will attempt to “disarm” the victim by clamping on to their lower jaw, preventing biting back. With jaws capable of crushing a bowling ball and 1.5 inch (4cm) teeth the results of this can be devastating.
Humans aren’t on the grizzly’s menu and they will usually avoid contact. However, habituation to humans can remove their natural fear and increase the risk of conflict. Should you ever be attacked by a bear the first thing to remember is never run, bears are very fast – up to 40 mph (60 km/h) and they will chase. Also, avoid eye contact and slowly back away. If the worst comes to the worst, play dead and try to protect your head and neck.
If you want to be proactive about escaping bear attacks you can forget guns too – use bear spray. This has proven 92% effective compared to only 67% with guns. Stopping an angry grizzly with a bullet is harder than it sounds.
- Snakes
There are quite a few species of venomous snake in North America several of which pose a genuine danger to humans. It is estimated that there are somewhere between 5-8,000 bites from venomous snakes every years in the USA, resulting in 5 deaths. This number would be much higher if it wasn’t for the availability of antivenins.
Best known of America’s deadly snakes are the rattlesnakes. Their name comes from the specialized rattle at the end of their tail which they shake as a warning signal. So uniquely American is the rattler that it was almost chosen as the national animal of the USA instead of the bald eagle. There are several species of rattlesnake varying in size from around 18 inches (45cm) up to well over 6ft (2m). Amongst the most dangerous are the diamondbacks. These are large, quite aggressive and have a powerful hemotoxic venom capable of causing intense pain and serious tissue damage. Symptoms include swelling, severe pain, weakness, nausea and eventually, in some cases, heart failure. If this is the case, death occurs between 6 and 48 hours after a bite.
- Sharks
This is where North America really excels. The waters off both Pacific and Atlantic coasts are home to some of the largest and most dangerous sharks on the planet. And it’s not just the USA; the largest great white shark ever caught was landed off Canada. All of the “big three” man-eating species can be found off the North American coast; the great white, tiger shark and bull shark are all native and have all notched up a number of deadly attacks. In fact the USA is the shark attack capital of the world accounting for nearly half the reported attacks globally.
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- Alligators
In recent years the number of attacks on humans has increased as people encroach more into alligator territory. The average number of deaths each year is around 2 to 3 nearly all of which have occurred in Florida. Whilst most deaths from alligator attacks are the result of drowning there is also a serious risk of infection from a bite, which in at least one recorded case resulted in a subsequent death.
- 6. Mountain Lions
As a rule mountain lions will avoid contact with humans and do not see us as prey. However, there is an increasing overlap in habitats and this is reflected in an increase in attacks. Between 1890 and 1990 there were 10 fatal attacks in North America, yet in the next 14 years alone the total number of deaths had doubled. Many attacks have occurred in California but the highest concentration has been on Vancouver Island, Canada
- Wolves
It has been suggested that wolf attacks are on the increase in North America with wolves possibly becoming more aggressive. Since 2000 there have been 2 fatal attacks, one in Canada and one Alaska.
- Bison
Bison are remarkably fast for their size and have been known to run at up to 40 mph (60 km/h) – that’s much faster than the 28 mph achieved by the world’s fastest sprinters. Being hit by one in full charge would be like getting run over by a truck. Between 1980 and 1999 79 people were injured by bison in Yellowstone National Park; that’s more than the 24 bear attacks in the same period. Injuries ranged from goring puncture wounds to broken bones and in some cases death.
- Scorpions
Measuring less than 3 inches (7.5cm) in length this bark scorpion Centruroides exilicauda has a potentially lethal sting. The neurotoxic venom is known to cause severe pain described as like electric jolts by victims. In serious cases numbness, vomiting and diarrhea may follow, and possibly death. During the 1980s more than 800 people were killed in Mexico by the bark scorpion.
- Spiders
North America is home to a number of potentially dangerous, even deadly, species of spiders. Until recently the most infamous of these were the black widow spiders (Latrodectus). This was for very good reason, the venom of the black widow is the second strongest of all spiders. As little as 0.05mg of the powerful neurotoxin can be deadly and 36 deaths were recorded from black widow spider bites between 1965 and 1990.
Just remember when I am out deer and wolf hunting, I am saving lives!