Man vs. Nature. It’s a story as old as time itself.
Despite all of our advanced technology and highly evolved survival skills, we’re no match for some of nature’s most brutal killing machines.
But what are they?
You may be surprised at a few of the most dangerous animals in the US… #5 really shocked me!
Check out the list below, and learn where these animals live, what they eat, and what to do if you encounter them. Be safe out there!
The 7 Most Dangerous Animals in North America
1. American Alligator
By now, we’ve all heard the sad story of the little boy who was killed by an alligator at Disney World in Florida earlier this year. In the past year alone, alligators have killed more than 5 people in the US — three of them in Florida, only months apart. Their strong jaws, sharp teeth and ability to move about stealthily make them fierce killing machines.
Where They’re Found: In the southern US, from North Carolina all the way to the Rio Grande in Texas. Typically found in slow-moving rivers, swamps, marshes and lakes.
What They Eat: Alligators are carnivores and feed mainly on fish, snails and other invertebrates, birds, frogs, and mammals that can be found near the water’s edge.
What To Do If You Encounter One: To avoid an alligator attack, stay away from the water at dusk and nightfall, when they are most aggressive. Keep children and pets away from the water’s edge, as alligators are attracted to the sound of the movement of small animals. If you see an alligator, remain calm and leave the area slowly. Sudden, panicked movements will put the animal in attack mode. However, if an alligator does begin to chase you, RUN AWAY in a straight line.
2. Arizona Bark Scorpion
One of the most deadly arachnids on planet Earth, the Arizona bark scorpion has venom similar to that of a venomous snake. A bite from this scorpion will cause numbness, tingling, and extreme pain, and possibly convulsions and immobility in certain body parts. In extreme cases, a sting can lead to paralysis, frothing at the mouth, trouble breathing and confusion.
The good news is that most healthy adults have a good chance of surviving a bark scorpion sting. Children, pets, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk of paralysis or death from a sting.
Where They’re Found: The southwestern US and northern Mexico, particularly the Sonoran desert.
What They Eat: Roaches, beetles and crickets.
What To Do If You Encounter One: Due to their hard exoskeleton, bark scorpions are difficult to kill. They are also very aggressive, and likely to attack when threatened. If you encounter one in the wild, don’t try to kill it — simply vacate the area as quickly as possible. If you find a scorpion in your house, you can try to trap it and release it outside, or seal off the room until you are able to have pest control spray your house. Most normal bug sprays will not affect scorpions; however, diatomaceous earth has been known to be an effective treatment for scorpions.
3. Great White Shark
The movie “Jaws” made an entire generation afraid to get in the water… and with good reason. Sharks attack around 20 people in the US every year, with an average of one of those attacks being fatal.
Might seem like good odds… until it happens to you.
Where They’re Found: Sharks are found in warm coastal waters all over the world. In the US, they’re most common in the northeast and off the coast of California.
What They Eat: Great white sharks are carnivores and do not chew their food, but swallow it whole. They eat fish, rays, other sharks, small toothed whales (such as belugas), otters, sea turtles, sea lions and seals.
What To Do If You Encounter One: Like alligators, sharks are attracted to movement and sound. If you see one, stay calm and avoid splashing in the water. Slowly and carefully swim to shore, making as little noise as possible.
4. Bears
Bear attacks kill three people in the US every year and leave many more maimed or injured. Black bears cause the most fatalities, followed closely by grizzlies.
Where They’re Found: Black and grizzly bears can be found all over north America, particularly the northwest, while polar bears are found in Alaska and Canada.
What They Eat: Black bears are omnivores, feasting mainly on fruits and vegetation, but occasionally fish and other meat as well. Grizzly bears eat fish, deer, elk, moose and bison, along with fruits and vegetation like their cousins.
What To Do If You Encounter One: If you encounter a bear, speak in a calm, appeasing but steady tone. Walk — DON’T run — and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it reacts. Remove yourself from the area as quickly as you can without running or making a commotion. DO NOT climb a tree.
5. American Bison
The “bison selfie” has become popular in Yellowstone Park, much to the dismay of park rangers. Getting up-close and personal with a bison is not a good idea. These animals like their space and can be aggressive when they perceive a threat. Females with young are especially dangerous.
Where They’re Found: According to Wikpiedia, American bison live in river valleys, and on prairies and plains. Some lightly wooded areas are also known historically to have supported bison. Bison also graze in hilly or mountainous areas where the slopes are not steep. Though not particularly known as high-altitude animals, bison in the Yellowstone Park bison herd are frequently found at elevations above 8,000 feet and the Henry Mountains bison herd is found on the plains around the Henry Mountains, Utah, as well as in mountain valleys of the Henry Mountains to an altitude of 10,000 feet.
What They Eat: Bison are herbivores, feeding mainly on grass and occasionally shrubbery. In the winter, they will forage for grass under snow, or if none is available, eat the twigs of shrubs.
What To Do If You Encounter One: It’s best to keep a distance of at least 100 meters (about the size of a football field) between yourself and the bison at all times. As with other large animals we’ve discussed, don’t move too quickly; instead, retreat at a slow, steady pace. Keep dogs on a leash at all times in a bison habitat. If you encounter bison while driving, drive slowly and they will eventually move. Don’t honk, become impatient or drive too quickly; bison attacks on vehicles are rare, but they do happen.
6. Cougar/Mountain Lion
Mountain lions are fierce predators and are able to move almost silently, making an attack hard to anticipate. Exercise extreme caution when hiking or biking through mountainous areas.
Where They’re Found: Mountain lions are mainly found in the western United States and Canada, but in recent years there have been sightings in the midwest and eastern US as well.
What They Eat: Cougars are carnivores, eating mostly large prey such as deer and elk.
What To Do If You Encounter One: If you encounter a mountain lion that does not run away, make noise. Speak loudly and firmly, and raise your arms to make yourself look larger. If you are holding something you don’t mind letting go of (like a water bottle), throw it at the animal. DO NOT bend down to pick up a rock or stick to throw — this may trigger a pounce response. Keep your eyes on the animal at all times and retreat slowly. Do not run or turn your back on the animal, as this will trigger a predatory response. Keep children and pets close to your side, not in front of or behind you. If you are attacked, fight back; humans have been known to effectively fight off cougars using sticks, stones and even just their hands.
7. Snakes
Venomous snakes bite around 8000 people in the US every year, with 5 or 6 of those bites ending in fatalities. Click here for our list of the most venomous snakes in North America.
Where They’re Found: Venomous snakes are found in every state in the US, with the exception of Alaska. They are most common in the southwestern and southern US.
What They Eat: Snakes generally feast on smaller mammals like rats and mice, but they have also been known to eat larger animals such as goats, chickens and other birds, rabbits, toads and frogs, lizards and even other snakes.
What To Do If You Encounter One: Most snakes will not attack unless provoked, so if you come across one in the wild or in your yard, do your best to just let it be. They will generally escape to the nearest cover, so try not to be between the snake and any cover such as a shrub or bush. If you want to shoo the snake from your yard, gently spray it with a water hose.
Check out the video below for more information:
Have you had an encounter with one of these deadly animals? What did you do? Tell us about it in the comments!
from SurvivalLife http://survivallife.com/most-dangerous-animals/
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