Yes, deadly animals are living and lurking in North America. Are you curious? We thought so. Here at Covenant Wildlife Removal, we thought you should know. And, that does not mean you will ever encounter any of these, but you may. So, you are welcome. Let’s dig right into the deadly animals of North America.
First, let’s consider the very concept. The definition of deadly as defined by Merriam-Webster
“likely to cause or capable of producing death or aiming to kill or destroy.”
Suffice it to say, there are many more dangerous animals out there. Still, we are focusing on the all-out killers in this article. Under each animal category, we have also provided a fatality rating as reported by journeyingtheglobe.com.
One additional note. We will not be focusing on humans. Because, yes, they are animals and are the absolute most deadly in several ways. But instead, let’s reflect on the wildlife we see in North America. After that list, Covenant will clue you into the Alabama deadly animals. So, hold on tight; some of them may shock you.
Alligators and Crocodiles
In an emergency situation, most folks do not know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Whether the blunt nose alligator or the pointy-nosed crocodile, there is no doubt these prehistoric creatures are a menace.
Facts:
The Alligator: As the largest reptile in America, the Gator can grow to 13 feet and almost 800lbs. (although larger have been reported and unverified). They are dark olive-brown with white underbellies. Alligators live in freshwater in grassy holes in the ground. They are both solitary and territorial, which can make them a real danger.
The Crocodile: Most people recognize the crocodile as the one with the upper teeth outside its lower jaw. This gives the croc a scary look, and they are generally thought of as more aggressive than alligators. They are grayish in color, and they will venture into saltwater. Thus, they are only located in South Florida in the Americas. So, if you live in Alabama, you likely will never see a croc in your neighborhood. The saltwater crocs can get up to 23feet in length and weigh over 2,200 lbs. (But not in the Americas, phew)
Fatalities:
Crocs: No fatalities in America in the last 20 years.
Gators: 21 deaths in the US since 2000 or an average of 10 per year.
The Grizzly Bear
Also known as the brown bear, here is something research turned up. Just a humorous point, the name for the Grizzly is the Ursus Arctos Horribilis, and boy is it Horribilis!
Facts:
The grizzly can weigh an average of 400 – 800 lbs. And coastal grizzlies may even be a bit larger. They are typically brown with a tipped fur on the flank and along the back. And their claws are an impressive 2-4 inches in length, much longer than the black bear. Grizzlies are aggressive and will defend their young with ferocity.
Additionally, park visitors should know they are on the official US list of threatened species.
Fatalities:
There are a reported 2.5 per year on average.
Sharks
We are talking here about 3 specific types; the Bull Shark, the Tiger Shark, and the Great White. These are the three “man-eating” sharks of the deep and the not so deep, too.
Facts:
The Bull Shark is an in-shore shark that is stout and stocky. The females are larger and will grow to almost 8 feet long, weighing almost 300lbs. Bull sharks are gray on top and white underneath. They will move between fresh and saltwater effortlessly and even enter rivers. The bull shark is the most dangerous to humans, and being in shallow coastal waters, they are most likely to run into swimmers.
Tiger Sharks are large predators, reaching 13+ feet in length and average. They are found in tropical waters, and the young have identifying tiger spots on their sides. Their skin is more of a blue to light-green color with a light underbelly. Like the bull shark, tiger sharks lurk in the shallows, making them another danger to swimmers.
The Great Whites are offshore and coastal variety and are the feature of the film JAWS. They are responsible for the most significant number of fatalities, although their preferred meal is not humans. The females are larger, growing up to 16-20 feet and weighing approximately 1,700 to 5,000lbs. Blending in with the sea, the great whites are white on the underside and gray to blow or brownish on the top.
Fatalities:
There were only 5 fatalities of 140 shark attacks in 2018, but in 2019, the fatalities were zero.
The American Bison
Sometimes called the American Buffalo, it is the heaviest land mammal in the US. They are primarily found in National parks. And if you think they move slowly enough to get a selfie, you would be wrong. So, just don’t try.
Facts:
With a shaggy coat of brown, the males are the larger of these animals. These big bullies will weigh close to 2600 lbs, and they can run and jump! Luckily, they are herbivores and are not interested in eating people. However, when provoked, bison will charge and maul humans.
Fatalities:
The parks report an annual average of 3 to 5 deaths.
Killer Bees
It may surprise you that the killer bee is a cross between an African bee and a honeybee. So much for this experiment. They are killing off other bee species.
Facts:
In efforts to genetically create a new breed of honeybee for Brazil, the killer bee was the result. They did produce more honey and were able to stand the intense heat. However, there was a big problem. They were accidentally released and became more aggressive and assertive than intended.
Fatalities:
There are 62 deaths per year from bees, hornets, or wasps.
Whitetail Deer
Yes, this one surprises many. How could Bambi be a killer? Well, inadvertently, they are. You see, they cause 1.3 million car accidents with a record 10,000 injuries and 200 deaths per year.
Facts:
The whitetail deer is simply blinded by passion. When the young males are looking for a female, they will dart to chase her, even into oncoming traffic.
Fatalities:
200 per year
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
While not the deadliest, the eastern diamondback is the most dangerous. Deaths are fewer than the back widow spider; however, its venom is the most toxic.
Facts:
Part of the pit viper family, these are one of the heaviest venomous snakes in America. They can grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh a whopping 34lbs. Their color is a brownish-yellowish-gray-olive combination with large diamond shapes in dark brown to black outlines by yellowish scales. You can find them on the ground, making snake boots imperative for anyone venturing into their territory.
Introducing Alabama’s Dangerous Animals
The list of Alabama’s dangerous creatures is not all that different. Still, we have included a few others here in the insect and reptile families. These are not to be handled by those not well trained in removal. So if you encounter any of the following, please call for help from Covenant Wildlife Removal.
Here is what we find:
- Spiders such as the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow
- Snakes like the Cottonmouth and the Eastern Diamondback Rattler and the Timber Rattlesnake
- Black Bears
- Wild Boars
- Alligators
Covenant Wildlife Removal and Deadly Animals
Please let us encourage humans that wildlife is, just that, wild. So never try to take a selfie with one before you call Covenant Wildlife Removal.
Keeping your home safe from critters is what we do. We take pride in our safe handlings of all animals and in caring for your home and family. If you see a deadly animal or any other unwanted creature in or near your home, call Covenant Wildlife Removal right away.
