9-Cows
Cows are found in farms all across America but they usually aren’t the first animal
people think of when picturing threatening predators. However, this domesticated animal
is deceptively deadly. It’s reported that around 22 human beings are killed every year
by cattle in the US alone, and 75% of these fatalities are considered deliberate attacks.
Group strikes are not only possible, but also well-coordinated and aggressive. Most lethal
encounters with cows are the result of blunt force trauma to the head or the chest, usually
after something startles the animal. In 2005, a Missouri farmer discovered a recently deceased
newborn calf and was about to remove it from a pasture, when one of her cows knocked her
down. The woman was stomped and butted while on the ground. She was declared dead on scene,
before first responders could transport her to the ER. That same year, another farmer
was guiding his cattle onto a truck, when a stubborn cow began to struggle and rammed
him against the barn’s door. The man collapsed, and witnesses told the authorities he’d
stopped breathing immediately after the blow.
8- Deer
Deer might seem harmless and timid, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
or CDC, has concluded they’re the deadliest animal in America. They account for 150 fatalities
every single year. Though most incidents are related to the wild animals wandering into
traffic, people are still statistically more likely to be gored by a deer than attacked
by a shark. Other deaths linked to these innocent-looking creatures involve hunters, experienced and
amateur alike. A 66-year-old Arkansas man shot a deer while hunting alone in the woods.
It’s unclear if he approached his prey after shooting, believing it to be dead, or if the
deer took him by surprise. What’s certain is that the man’s nephew found him later
that same day, lethally injured. He’d endured several deep antler punctures. Though the
elderly man was rushed to the hospital, he was declared dead before reaching the ER.
The buck’s body wasn’t found in the vicinity, so it’s unclear if it perished after wandering
away or not.
7-Alligators
Alligators are one of US residents' most lethal neighbors. Its name might be an anglicized
form of the Spanish term “El lagarto”. This was the way Spanish explorers referred
to this dangerous reptile in the region that’s now known as Florida. On average, an adult
alligator can weigh up to 790 pounds and measure more than 13 feet, making it a deadly predator.
It’s not unusual to hear accounts about Florida homeowners finding alligators lurking
in their backyards and swimming pools. During the 2020 COVID pandemic, Cynthia Covert, a
58 year old manicurist was pulled into a pond and drowned near a client’s home. Neighbors
called 911 but, by the time first responders arrived, it was too late. Covert had died
underwater. The alligator was subsequently shot by a deputy. These reptiles have unleashed
their predatory powers in what’s often described as the happiest place on earth. A 2-year-old
was staying at a Disney resort with his family when his parents reported him missing. 60
deputies and wildlife officials joined the search. Tragically, the child’s body was
later recovered in the lagoon he’d been playing in. He was dragged into the water
by an alligator and had already drowned by the time he was found by first responders.
6-Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes belong to the subfamily Crotalinae, or pit viper, and are classified as highly
venomous. These serpents are native to the Americas and can be found in areas ranging
from from Alberta, Canada, to central Argentina. They lurk in backyards all across the continent,
and can survive in different types of habitats, from temperatures as low as 4° F to those
as high as 90° F. The rattlesnake is the most common cause of snakebite incidents in
North America. On average, 8000 people are attacked in the US each year, with around
5 of those victims perishing from complications associated with severe envenomation. When
antivenom is applied within two hours after the bite, probability of survival is 99%,
but this number drops dramatically when the wound is left untreated. Back in 2019, Priscilla
Meridith, a Georgia resident, was attacked by a rattlesnake in her friend’s garden
and immediately rushed to the ER. Unfortunately, her allergies prevented doctors from giving
her the antivenom, and she died after spending several weeks in a medically-induced coma.
5-Mountain lion
The mountain lion, also known as the cougar or puma, is a large feline native to North,
Central and South America. It’s the second heaviest cat on the continent, surpassed only
by the jaguar. It’s a solitary predator and though it doesn’t
usually attack humans, dire circumstances can yield deadly results. Starvation, perceived
threats and getting used to the presence of people in their territory are factors that
make an attack more likely. Cougars are particularly deadly due to their preferred killing strike,
which is a swift and powerful bite to the throat. The highest number of fatal encounters
has occurred in British Columbia, at least up until the making of this video.
Usually, cougars will behave erratically before killing a human being. Some of the signs may
be that they’re being especially active during the daytime, and not avoiding the presence
of people, even going as far as stalking both children and adults. In 2018, Oregon reported
its first deadly cougar attack. Diana Bober, a 55-year-old woman, was killed while hiking
in a National Forest. Her corpse was discovered with over 12 puncture wounds and a broken
neck.
4-Coyote
The canis latrans, commonly known as the coyote, is an incredibly versatile predator, capable
of adapting to different environments, and living near urban areas. There are 19 different
subspecies, weighing between 18 to 44 lbs and they’re smaller than the grey wolf,
its closest relative. It’s widely found all across North America, specially, but not
exclusively, in forests and grasslands. The chances of attacks on humans increase when
people feed them in the wild, habituating this predator to their presence. Another common
situation that leads to confrontation is when a pet is attacked by a coyote, which happens
far more frequently, and the owner attempts to save their dog. From 1986 to 2006, 160
attacks and two deaths have been reported in the US and linked to this wild animal.
In 1981, three-year-old Kelly Keen was playing outside her parents’ Los Angeles home when
she was dragged away by a coyote. Her father managed to rescue her, but it was already
too late. She’d endured deadly bites, and perished soon after.
3-Wolves
Wolves are large canines native to both North America and Eurasia, comprising over 30 feral
subspecies. These predators usually weigh around 88 pounds and hunt in groups, being
highly social animals. Wolves aren’t known to frequently approach human beings, yet if
provoked or intimidated, they won’t hesitate to attack. Predatory behavior toward people
does occur after being habituated to their presence. Wolves attack the head and face
of their prey after tackling them to the ground. The victim is then dragged away and consumed.
Most of these attacks involve children under the age of 18, and adults rarely get killed.
Even when the wolf is reacting simply to defend itself instead of hunting for food, its attack
can be lethal. Its bite is 15 times more dangerous than a rabid dog’s. These feral animals
can be found in wooded areas all across America, making any resident living near forests and
grasslands their implicit neighbors. Candice Berner was an avid jogger, living
in Alaska back in 2010. Her corpse was discovered on a local road by snowmobilers and investigators
found wolf tracks on the snow surrounding Berner’s lifeless body. It ended up being
the first instance in Alaska’s history of using DNA evidence to confirm a deadly wolf
attack.
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2-Arizona bark scorpion
Considered to be the US’s most venomous scorpion, the Arizona bark scorpion’s sting
causes intense pain, vomiting, numbness and even convulsions. Most attacks occur in Arizona,
Texas and Nevada, usually during the summer. Though some of them happen in the wilderness,
most attack victims tend to be stung at their own homes. Most fatal victims are children,
elderly people or adults with immunosuppressive illnesses. In the 1980s, about 800 people
lost their lives in Mexico due to extreme reactions to the scorpion’s sting. Up to
2018, only 4 fatal attacks have been reported in the US in 11 years. Worldwide, this number
spikes to 3,250 annually. Heart failure due to untreated attacks is
usually the main cause of death and it can happen only a few hours after the sting.
1-Bears
Bears are
found in North and South America, as well as in Europe and Asia. Six species are omnivorous,
with the other two types consisting of polar and panda bears. The polar is hypercarnivorous
while the panda is nearly entirely vegetarian. Bears are mostly solitary, except when raising
a cub, have a heightened sense of smell and many of them are adept climbers, swimmers
and runners. Grizzly bear attacks are 21 times more lethal and risky than black bear encounters.
Daniel Schilling was reported missing by his wife, and Alaskan State Troopers launched
an immediate search and rescue. Unfortunately, by the time they discovered his body, the
deadly damage had already been done. Schilling had been hiking up a mountain behind his property,
when he was mauled to death by a black bear. Stephanie Blais, a mother of two, was camping
with her children on McKie Lake, Canada, when she was attacked by a territorial bear. Her
husband tried to scare it away with pepper spray. When this didn’t work, he shot it
twice with his gun. Unfortunately, by the time the predator hit the ground, Blais was
already dead.
Thanks for watching! Have you, or anyone you know, ever encountered a wild animal in your
backyard? Let us know in the comments section below!