There are a lot of scary and dangerous creatures out there in the world, but you might be surprised at just how many may be living in your own backyard (figuratively speaking… we hope). Here are 18 of the scariest animals in North America.
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly bears are one of the most well-known dangerous animals in America. They are famed for their large size, impressive strength, and intimidating appearance. Deaths resulting from bear attacks may be less common than you’d expect. According to A-Z Animals, 21 people were killed by grizzly bears between 2000 and 2015.
Mountain Lion
Mountain lions may be smaller than regular lions, but they are still formidable and agile predators with a deadly bite. While these big cats are elusive and attacks on humans are rare, if they do decide to hunt you down, the result could be deadly.
American Alligator
While some of the contenders for our list could be considered cute in a could-kill-you kind of way, it’s harder to make a case for alligators. Their almost alien-like appearance, crushing jaws, and brutal methods of killing their prey make them incredibly scary and dangerous to humans.
Rattlesnake
There are multiple species of rattlesnakes throughout North America. These dangerous creatures are known for their distinctive rattling tails and venomous bites. However, you’ll be relieved to hear that the U.S. Forest Service says they will typically only bite humans when provoked or disturbed in some way.
Black Widow Spider
Black widows are smaller spiders with huge reputations. These little creatures use extremely toxic venom that can be lethal to humans. However, like rattlesnakes, they will generally only bite in self-defense, preferring to escape from humans rather than attack.
Brown Recluse Spider
Thankfully, brown recluse spiders are rather reclusive when it comes to their relationship with humans. However, their intimidating appearance and venomous bite can make them very scary and dangerous to humans when they do get too close.
Bull Shark
As noted by the National Wildlife Federation, bull sharks are known for being more aggressive than other species, giving them their infamous reputation as one of the most dangerous sharks to humans. If you want to avoid these ocean-dwellers at all costs, it may help to know that they mostly reside along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
Moose
Moose are herbivores that may seem harmless enough, but their large, formidable antlers and aggression during mating seasons can make them both intimidating and potentially dangerous to humans. They can also run impressively fast and deliver deadly kicks.
Gray Wolf
Many people love gray wolves for their beautiful, dog-like appearance and distinctive howls. But don’t be fooled by their charming traits. These canines make deadly predators and can be lethal to humans if they choose to attack.
Coyote
Many Americans are familiar with coyotes, as they are very widespread within North America. Despite their fairly small size and unlikeliness to attack humans, their tendency to attack domestic animals and pets makes them a concerning presence to many.
Bald Eagle
Bald eagles rarely pose any danger to humans. However, this impressive bird is still one of the most intimidating animal members of America. It has an incredibly large wingspan, large and powerful talons, and can quickly snatch up and devour its prey.
Wolverine
Wolverines have a bad reputation for being aggressive, strong, and ferocious. However, it may help to hear that these little creatures primarily live in forests, prefer to be left alone, and will rarely attack humans.
Canadian Lynx
Canadian lynxes are known for their distinctive ears, large paws, and intimidating hunting skills. While you may get a fright if you meet one of these large cats in the wild, it is rare that they will choose to attack humans without being provoked.
Poison Dart Frog
The poison dart frog may be small, but its venom can be lethal to humans and predators alike. In fact, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Indigenous tribes are known to use its poison on the tips of blow darts. Its bright, intimidating skin serves as a warning to other animals.
Fire Ants
While fire ants are the smallest species on our list, they pack a surprisingly powerful punch. They have become infamous for their incredibly painful venomous stings, which can become dangerous when they attack as a large group.
American Bison
American bison are known as the largest land mammal in North America, so it’s no surprise that many people find them rather intimidating. They can also become aggressive when threatened and during mating season, which could prove deadly for humans.
Gila Monster
Did you know that Gila monsters are one of the only venomous lizards in North America? While they rarely bite humans, if they do, their bites can be extremely painful and damaging, with powerful jaws that clamp down hard.
Praying Mantis
Although praying mantises are not harmful to humans, their large, intimidating, alien-like appearance makes them a scary presence for many people. They are also known for commonly eating one another during mating rituals, which doesn’t exactly help their case.
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