Here Are The Most Dangerous Animals Roaming The Lands Of North Carolina
At various times over the years, the venomous, Portuguese man-o-war has washed up on the shores of North Carolina’s beaches, and that’s just one of the dangerous animals in North Carolina. It hasn’t been reported exactly how many man-o-war have washed up throughout the years, but, in one year alone, 20-30 were found on Corolla Beach.
The man-of-war is commonly mistaken for jellyfish. Among the most peculiar wild animals in North Carolina, the Portuguese man-of-wars are a siphonophore, an animal that is made up of a collective group of organisms working together.
They live in warm ocean waters, and travel in groups of up to 1,000. Their presence in North Carolina is often the result of strong easterly winds.
Their thin, long tendrils are covered with a venom-filled nematocysts used to paralyze fish and other small creatures. These tendrils average around 30 feet, but can reach to 175 feet!
Just one single sting from a man-o-war is excruciatingly painful to a human. So, try to imagine 1,000 stings all at once. Swarms of man-o-wars are clearly what’s to be most feared of these creatures – and also, quite possibly, how they got their rep as one of the scariest ‘not jellyfish’ in the sea and some of the most dangerous animals in North Carolina.
After reading this, are you wondering, “Are there any other deadly animals in North Carolina?” The answer is YES! The state’s diverse landscape, which boasts both mountains and coastlines, combined with a varying climate, means there is an array of wildlife in North Carolina – some more dangerous than others.
Pushed to the brink of North Carolina eradication in the early 20th century, alligators have slowly made their comeback along the coast. Frequently found in canals, streams, and rivers in the eastern region of the sate, alligators are a silent force to be feared. Reasonably unassuming, alligators can become aggressive and defensive upon approach and are known to attack humans. To an alligator, meat is meat, meaning, your leg could be considered dinner or dessert.
The timber rattlesnake, eastern diamond back, and pigmy are the three types of rattlesnakes found in North Carolina. All are found throughout the state except for the pigmy, which is only found in the southeastern region. The eastern diamondback is the most dangerous rattlesnake in all of North America. All three are not naturally aggressive, but their potent venom plus elusive habitat are good reason to 'look' before stepping. Half of rattlesnake bites occur out of accident, mainly someone stepping on the snake. A rattlesnake will only strike in defense, with the 'young' being said to have more dangerous venom. It is important to keep your eye out for rattlesnakes when outside, especially when embarking on one of the many spring hikes in North Carolina, as that's when rattlesnakes tend to be more active.
Several species of shark are found off the coast of North Carolina. Sharks will sometimes wander into sounds and estuaries, but mainly just to feed or migrate. The coastal waters of North Carolina make up a popular, frequently used migration corridor for several ocean species. Most shark species that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean will, at some point, swim past the North Carolina coast, usually when waters are a bit warm. Of course, shark attacks are nothing new to us, being made especially popular through television and film. The 'terrifying' viewpoint of the shark takes on a dismal reality when the number of shark attacks is still somewhat low, but this does not mean that bites are not reported. The most common species of shark found are blacknose sharks, sand tiger and sandbar sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and the tiger shark...which is the largest and most potentially dangerous, making it among the most feared of all predators in North Carolina.
Copperheads are found throughout the state. This venomous snake prefers its home to be in wooden areas surrounded by rocks or by a stream. A bite from one of these is to be most feared during the summer, as they will take to hiding during the day in sheds, wood piles, debris and stumps. While bites are not typically fatal, they are extremely painful and need immediate medical attention.
Black bears are a tad bit friendlier than say, a brown bear, but they still should not be 'messed' with. Black bears tend to keep to themselves and prefer a large, uninhabited wooded landscape. You can find black bears in the mountain region of western North Carolina and the coastal swamplands of the eastern part of the state. Black bears have been known to stumble upon campsites in North Carolina, but rarely do they attack without warrant. Typically, more of a sight to see than a sight to be feared, black bears are a special, wild treasure to this state.
North Carolina has a lot of snakes, six of those being venomous, but the cottonmouth is one of the most deadly animals in North Carolina. The venom is more dangerous than a copperhead and can be fatal. Cottonmouths are found primarily in the eastern region of the state - in swamps, lakes, rivers, and bodies of water. They swim with their heads above water, and are distinguished by a stripe along the side of their head. Commonly mistaken with other water-dwelling snakes, if you see one slithering near you in the water...swim away, and swim FAST!
Black widows are found throughout the state, but more notably in the eastern region. The female spider prefers to create her web in dark corners, tree stumps, woodpiles, and overgrown areas. While not one to just up and 'bite,' accidental bites, such as putting on a shoe where one is hiding, or accidental contact, can lead to a fatal situation. The female hangs upside down from her web. If you see one, there's likely to be others or even future black widow babies. Take immediate care of the problem. It is also not uncommon to find them in dark areas, such as a garages. The black widow isn’t the only dangerous spider in the state. There’s also the Joro, an invasive species of spider in North Carolina.
Speaking of spiders, you should be way more fearful of the brown recluse. Luckily, they are not too common in the state, but you should still be careful. Brown recluses make their homes in shoes, old boxes, and in dark corners. They are easily identified by their eye pattern, six eyes in three pairs, and a marking that resembles a fiddle or violin on the top of the spider. If bitten, medical attention must be sought immediately. As it's one of the most dangerous dangerous animals in North Carolina and is one of the only spider species whose venom is considered 'medically significant,' meaning antibiotics and anti-venoms lose their affect as time passes. The poison also causes a necrotic, or dead layer of skin, that can require surgery. It is advised to seek immediate medical attention.
Pictured above, this photo began to circulate around North Carolina as an actual black panther/cougar sighting throughout the state. Western cougars, known as mountain lions, panthers, and pumas rarely expand their breeding habitats close to North Carolina. Yet, it still doesn't disperse the 'big cat mystery' that has been witnessed, and photographed throughout the state. Eastern cougars once readily inhabitated the state and have made their mark on several landmarks. Throughout the 18th century, due to hunting, persecution, and loss of habitat, the eastern cougar was all but eradicated in North Carolina. 'Sightings,' like pictured above are still reported.
So, did you know about these dangerous animals in North Carolina? Ever encountered any dangerous wildlife in North Carolina? If so, where and what type of animal was it? Know of any other deadly animals in North Carolina? Whatever it is, tell us; we want to know!
What are the best little known attractions in North Carolina?
There are quite a few scary predators in North Carolina, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid wildlife altogether. The state is home to several attractions that allow you to get close-up views of wildlife in North Carolina. One such place is Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron. Opened in 2010, the 60-acre zoo is home to over 400 animals, which visitors can admire from afar or interact with for an unforgettably wild experience.
What are the most well known parks in North Carolina?
For an outdoor enthusiast, North Carolina is pure paradise. There are so many incredible parks in the state, including a few national parks in North Carolina that belong on every resident’s bucket list. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is definitely one of those parks. A crown jewel of the east coast, the national seashore boasts sandy beaches, oceanfront views, lighthouses, and more.
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