A demographic data platform has released a report identifying the animals most likely to kill people in each US state. The report reveals a mix of creatures, including large mammals like moose and bears, as well as unexpected threats like dogs and jellyfish.
Snakes Top the List
Snakes make up the single largest category nationwide, with several species of rattlesnakes topping the list in multiple regions. Georgia residents should be cautious of the pygmy rattlesnake, while Oklahoma’s biggest snake threat is the western pygmy rattlesnake.
Other rattlesnakes dominating state hazards include the prairie rattlesnake in North Dakota, the Mojave rattlesnake in Nevada, and the eastern massasauga in Michigan. Non-rattlesnake species also rank as the deadliest animals in their respective states, such as the eastern diamondback snake in Louisiana and the cottonmouth snake in Mississippi.
Other Deadly Animals
Beyond reptiles, several states face risks from insects and other venomous creatures. Wasps top the list in Iowa, ticks take the lead in Missouri, mosquitoes pose the highest danger in New York, and black widow spiders are the main concern in Alabama and Nebraska.
A handful of states should be cautious around coastal waters, with tiger sharks ranking as the deadliest animal in Rhode Island, and bull sharks posing the greatest threat in Maryland and Virginia. A jellyfish-like marine creature, called the Portuguese man o’ war, is listed as the biggest danger in Delaware and North Carolina.
Large mammals also appear prominently throughout the report, with black bears ranking as the deadliest animals in Tennessee and Wisconsin. North American black bears pose the greatest threat in Oregon, while American black bears top the list in Kentucky and Massachusetts.
In Alaska, despite being household pets, dogs are listed as the state’s most concerning animal. Similarly, coyotes rank as the biggest threat in Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Utah.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
