Alaska is the only state in the US where you should worry about being attacked by a polar bear.

This northernmost state has lots of wilderness, and though there are only around 5,000 bears there, they can still be deadly.

Polar bears are bigger than a grizzly bear, and they aren’t as used to humans, so they are more likely to attack one.

The Gila monster is a familiar sight for those who live in Arizona, and tales of their deadliness go way back.

Old travelers in the West believed that a Gila monster’s breath could kill a person.

They do have a venomous bite that causes swelling and difficulty breathing, so steer clear from them if you see one.

If you live in the north of Alabama, you would have seen one of these horrible critters for sure.

Brown recluse spiders hide where it’s the warmest, so you could find them anywhere, from an empty cardboard box in that garage to inside your shoes.

And despite being small, they’re very dangerous. One bite from these spiders sets off a chain reaction of tissue death.

This critter may bear the name of another US state, but it’s actually a common site over in neighboring California.

The Arizona bark scorpion is the deadliest scorpion in the US and they like to adapt to their habitat, making them hard to spot.

Some of these scorpions like to crawl into houses and hide in those dark corners.

The mountain lion is a formidable predator, and Colorado has up to around 7,000 of these beautiful cats.

They’re unlikely to wander into built-up suburbs, but if you encounter one on a hike, remain calm and slowly back away.

Mountain lions have a vicious bite.

Connecticut is home to cozy autumn towns and some of the deadliest predators.

Coyotes are a menace, especially if you don’t expect to see one, which is usually the case when you’re hiking in Connecticut.

Others commonly mistake them for a common dog or a fox, thereby underestimating their bite.

This critter is a lot more dangerous than people think.

The kissing bug is the nickname of the deadly Triatominae bug, a recent addition to a list of the state’s scariest residents.

Kissing bugs like to bite faces and are especially active at night.

If you get bitten, you could develop a disease that causes cardiac problems. So don’t get kissed by these.

The first snake on this list, but rest assured, there’s plenty more.

So let’s talk about the Eastern diamondback, even though there are six venomous snakes in Florida.

Eastern Diamondbacks hold the record for the deadliest snake bites ever recorded in the sunshine state.

Bobcats may not sound like much, but they can be deadly when provoked.

They’re very tetchy around their young, and many people assume they won’t bite because of their cute cat looks.

But bobcats can get very aggressive, so better steer clear of one.

It makes sense that Hawaii’s deadliest creature is found in the water.

The box jellyfish holds the reputation for being one of the most venomous predators in the world, so if you’re out in Hawaii swimming, you may want to stay alert just in case.

Their toxins can cause heart failure pretty quickly.

Idaho is home to Yellowstone National Park, a huge sprawling area filled with lots of predators.

One of these is the wild bison, so do not to approach one for a picture. Once they feel threatened, they will charge resulting in a messy death.

The original story that inspired the movie Snakes on a Plane happened in Illinois.

It’s a state home to 40 different species, four of which are poisonous.

One of them is the copperhead snake, a creature that also seeks shelter in farm buildings, junkyards, and sawdust piles.

These are most likely to bite out of all US snakes, so don’t get too close to one.

The Black widow spider is one of the most recognizable creatures in the world.

It can be found all throughout the country, including Indiana, where it’s one of the most dangerous creatures in the state.

A bite from a black widow can cause nausea, severe cramps, and difficulty breathing.

The rattlesnake may be the species most associated with snakes thanks to that creepy rattle that would frighten anyone.

But for those who live in Iowa, they’re used to seeing one. These snakes are found all over and are very likely to strike when threatened.

If you’re wondering how a hornet can be dangerous, then you’ve never come up against a Kansas hornet.

Hornets release more venom per sting than any other insect. That can lead to reactions such as anaphylaxis, where your throat closes up and restricts airflow.

Ouch.

We’re really not joking. Kentucky has its share of deadly animals, like the rattlesnake and black widow spider, but the deadliest animal is the white-tailed deer.

There are so many of them in the state that driving has become dangerous, since this animal can cause a huge number of car crashes and deaths.

You’ll recognize this snake from other spots on this list. The water moccasin is just another name for the cottonmouth snake, identifiable by the white lining inside the mouth.

This is a common snake found in the state, but the water moccasin is the only venomous water snake in Louisiana, so be very careful when there’s water.

Up in the wilds of Maine, there are bigger dangers than small insects. One of them is the moose, which is far more dangerous than it looks.

Many people think they’re slow because of their size.

These creatures can run fast, so don’t upset one, or you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of one of its antlers.

There are 27 different types of snakes in the central state of Maryland, but the timber rattlesnake is one of the most dangerous.

This snake is known by its characteristic rattle, and by the time you hear it, it’s probably time to back away.

No one really expects the deadliest animal in Massachusetts to be a jellyfish.

The state lies on the Atlantic, so it’s not the kind of animal people normally keep on the lookout for.

But in recent years, beaches in the state have had visits from the deadly lion’s mane jellyfish.

A sting results in a deadly allergic reaction that can result in death.

Like other states in the US, Michigan is also home to venomous snakes.

The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in Michigan, but it is the most dangerous animal you’ll encounter there.

The trick is not to provoke one, as its bite is known to cause severe damage to the circulatory system.

There’s certainly a lot of wild land in Minnesota, so it follows that bison call the state their home.

These animals are one of the most dangerous animals in the entire country due to their temperamental nature and speed.

If you see one in the wild, don’t get close, or you may end up with broken bones, or worse.

Don’t be fooled by the name as the pygmy rattlesnake, though on the smaller side, has venom that can kill.

This is one of the state’s most commonly spotted deadly creatures with the nickname the “ground rattler” thanks to that off putting sound.

If you see one in the wild, just back away very slowly.

Missouri is another state that’s home to a huge number of snakes. Scientists have recorded up to 47 different species within its borders alone.

Five of them are venomous, including this deadly Osage copperhead, so be extra careful when hiking in Missouri.

Hard to believe that an animal this cute can be so dangerous.

The pronghorn is a peculiar type of deer commonly found in the state, but keep your distance if you see one.

In fact, they can run up to 70 km per hour. They will charge at you if it thinks that you’re threatening it or its family.

The prairie rattlesnake is one of four venomous snakes found in the state of Nebraska.

However, this snake is the one you’ll have a higher chance of seeing when you’re out exploring.

Prairie rattlesnakes like to stay in prairies, canyons, or rocky outcrops and they will definitely bite when provoked.

Nevada boasts of a large range of deadly animals, including snakes and poisonous spiders.

But the reigning deadliest animal in the state is the bark scorpion.

Should you come across one, stay away. Its bite can cause severe pain, convulsions, and profuse sweating.

Here’s another moose on this list.

A common sight in the Eastern United States, these big animals are also the deadliest one you’ll encounter in New Hampshire.

There aren’t any recorded deaths yet, but you really don’t want to get on the wrong side of the moose.

Not a lot of people expect sharks in New Jersey, but over the course of history, there have been shark scares in the state, including the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916.

Five people were attacked in a short period of time.

Sharks are still spotted off the coast today.

The coral snake is one among many venomous snake found in New Mexico, though this one is native to the state.

You’re more likely to see one compared to other species.

It’s also hard to miss this snake, because of its distinctive red, white, and black coloring.

The white-tailed deer have grown in numbers. They are often seen running around wooded suburbs in the Hudson Valley of New York.

But just like in other states, they’re also deadly.

When scared, the deer will run out into roads unaware, resulting in a huge number of car crashes.

North Carolina has a massive coastline, with beaches famous for being some of the prettiest along the East Coast.

But if you’re headed out for a beach day, keep your eye out for the deadly Portuguese Man-O-War jellyfish.

It’s been plaguing beaches in the state for many years.

North Dakota is another massive state, and is home to the stunning Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

If you’re visiting the park though, watch out for the bison.

They have half a million bison, most of them found living in the beautiful surroundings of the national park.

But these big animals can be deadly when provoked.

Ticks are small, but their bites can be pretty life-threatening since they are parasites that feed off other animals.

That means they carry diseases and spread them to humans.

One of the most common would be Lyme disease, which these ticks in Ohio are known to carry.

We’re pretty sure you’ve heard of feral hogs even though you don’t think of them.

They may sound kind of funny, but these creatures can be horribly deadly. Hogs have been known to charge at hikers.

Feral hogs are so scary that if you find yourself confronting one, hurry and seek out a tree to climb and get away.

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is Oregon’s only venomous snake, but it’s still their most dangerous animal.

You’ll know it once you hear the characteristic rattle of its tail, which means it’s time to get out of the way.

Like other US states, ticks are one of the deadliest animals in Pennsylvania.

Many of the ticks are known to carry Lyme disease, so stay safe if you’re planning on hiking.

Wear insect repellant and check yourself for the critters once you get back home.

Hornets are one of the scariest animals in Kansas, but these flying creatures are also a terror in Rhode Island.

Watch out and stay away from the Asian Giant hornet, which has made its home in the US.

They can inject a large amount of venom from its tiny stinger.

Like neighboring North Carolina, South Carolina has a long, beautiful coastline.

One that many families enjoy frequenting on the weekend.

But do watch out for sharks. The bull shark is one of the most dangerous, as they’re known to attack with no warning out of confusion or fear.

South Dakota’s most dangerous creature is named after the state itself since it took up residence there.

The South Dakota puff adder is very aggressive, striking once it feels threatened by a human’s presence.

Their venom can cause organ failure, so stay away if you encounter one on a hike.

Elk are one of the biggest animals in the US, making them one of the deadliest animals when encountered.

They have huge antlers that can grow up to four feet long, and these animals can run at speeds of 65 km/h, so don’t get in front of one when it’s decided you’ve angered it.

This creature is hardly an animal, but it deserves a place on this lis.

It is one of the most dangerous things you can come in contact with in the state of Texas.

Amoebas are a type of tiny organism that lives in the waters, and once they get into your body, they start eating through your brain tissue.

The state of Utah also has problems with its large moose population.

These are the largest animals to live in the Western State and are very deadly if you don’t know what you’re doing should you encounter one.

The best way to avoid getting attacked is to not approach them. Not even for a picture.

We’re about to come the end of this list and it’s only now that we’ll mention bears.

Black bears are the most common bear type in the US. They are prevalent in the Eastern states like Vermont.

There are over 6,000 bears over there, so take extra precautions when hiking to make sure you don’t anger one of them.

Copperheads have developed a reputation for being one of the deadliest snakes in America.

In Virginia, they are one of the most dangerous animals you’ll encounter.

Most snake bites recorded in the state have come from this one species alone.

There are around 50,000 coyotes living in Washington, so the chances of running into one are quite high.

These animals are trained as hunters and they will attack once threatened.

Keep an eye out when you hike as they often enter human areas like downtown Seattle.

The Black widow spider can be found across the US, but watch out when you’re in West Virginia, since it’s one of the deadliest animals in the state.

It likes lurking in dark hollows outside, so be very careful when rummaging around your shed.

There are around 40,000 cases of the incurable Lyme disease in Wisconsin since the 1990s.

Most of those cases were caused by the humble deer tick.

This is the most dangerous animal in Wisconsin, so be extra vigilant if you visit and hike in the state.

This list ends with an iconic predator, namely the grizzly bear.

They are more dangerous than the common black bear, being much bigger and more aggressive than their counterpart.

Just last year, a hunter in Wyoming was attacked by a grizzly, so always keep an eye out and maintain a safe distance if you see one.