It’s no secret that some animals are more deadly than others, and chances are, you’d be able to guess a few of them. An estimated 400 people die every year in the United States from animal-based encounters, and with that in mind, it’s no laughing matter. But do you know where the United States’ deadliest animals live?
Most people don’t realize it, but some of the United States’ deadliest critters are a lot closer to us than we think. At the top of the list are deer, which cause around 1.3 million car accidents every year and result in almost 200 deaths every year.
Further down the list are insects and creepy crawlies, including bees, spiders, and scorpions, which can prove fatal in an attack whether the person is allergic, or the venom is simply too potent for the human body to handle. Speaking of venom, snakes are also a particularly notorious human killer.
Dogs and cows are also known for dealing deathly blows to humans – dogs can become aggressive, attacking their owners or strangers, while cows can either intentionally or unintentionally kick or trample humans.
Completing the list are sharks, crocodiles, and mountain lions, each of which is a natural predator and simply takes an opportunity to have a meal when it presents itself. Most of these attacks aren’t common, but when they do transpire, it’s almost never pretty.