10 Of The Deadliest Animals In The South

Dangerous animals exist all across the globe. However, different environments are home to different types of dangers. Based on where you live, you could be faced with more or fewer types of deadly animals. Today, we will discuss the top 10 deadliest animals in the South. Buckle up, things are about to get dangerous.

1. Alligator

Unsurprisingly, alligators make the list of the deadliest animals in the South. With their mighty jaws and razor-sharp teeth, you don't want to cross a gator. They are native to the southeastern United States and inhabit freshwater swamps, marshes, and wetlands. However, they can also live in rivers, lakes, and smaller bodies of water.

2. Cottonmouth Snake

The cottonmouth snake is deadly because its bite is venomous. Outdoor Alabama shares that "The bite of the cottonmouth is highly dangerous and may be fatal.  The venom of the cottonmouth is hemotoxic." This means that "the venom breaks down and destroys blood cells and other tissues and reduces the ability of blood to coagulate or clot." These snakes can be found stretching from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to central Texas, and north to southern Illinois and Indiana.

3. Bull Shark

Another terrifying water predator that makes it onto the list of deadliest animals in the South is the bull shark. Known as one of the most aggressive shark species, this is not an animal you want to come in contact with. Original Diving shares, "With bite strength estimated to be around 1,300 pounds per square inch (psi), they have one of the most powerful bites of any fish, out-biting both great white sharks and great hammerheads."

4. Brown Recluse Spider

I know, people don't typically consider spiders animals. However, they technically are. Both spiders and insects are part of the Animal Kingdom as arthropods. Additionally, spiders belong to an ancient group of animals called the Arachnida. These spiders are so deadly because of their venom. If you are bitten by one of these spiders, you can suffer from tissue death.

5. Black Widow Spider

Similar to the previous spider on the list, black widow spiders are also no joke. National Geographic Kids shares that "their deadly poison is said to be 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom." They are found throughout the eastern US, all the way from Canada down to Florida. They are also found in eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

6. Black Bear

Although these bears may not be as large as a grizzly, they can still easily take you down. Black bears have strong jaws and sharp claws that can easily tear through your flesh if they want to. Some of the southern states that have black bear populations include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

7. Wild Boar

While this is not typically the animal that comes to mind when thinking of the most dangerous animals in the South, trust me, it deserves its spot on the list. According to Hunter-Ed, wild boars have three physical traits and behaviors that make them a threat to humans. First and foremost are their sharp tusks. They use their tusks as their primary defense mechanism and can easily cut through your skin and muscle. Additionally, they have surprising strength. They weigh up to several hundred pounds and have the ability to reach 30mph. Finally, they are known to charge. A hundred or so pounds of solid mass charging at you with pointy tusks is definitely a threat.

8. Mosquito

Again, another threat that is often underestimated is the mosquito. Known for being capable of carrying various diseases, the mosquito is easily one of the deadliest animals in the South. Not just in the South, but anywhere, really. Unfortunately, these pesky insects are so populous that they are everywhere.

9. Copperhead Snake

Similar to the cottonmouth snake, the copperhead is also venomous. Additionally, their venom is also hemotoxic. Although their bites are rarely fatal, they do cause painful and temporary tissue damage. You will need to seek immediate medical attention if you are ever bitten.

10. Jellyfish

Everyone knows to fear the painful sting of the jellyfish. However, not all jellyfish are created equal. While some will just leave you with a painful welt, others, like the box jellyfish, will leave you with a whole lot more. Considered as one of the deadliest creatures in the ocean, the tentacles of the box jellyfish are full of stings that inject venom that can stop your heart if you are stung.