We’ve got quite a few adorable wild animals in Pennsylvania, from chipmunks and squirrels to groundhogs and Eastern cottontail rabbits. Most of us probably don’t mind seeing them in our backyards, and we may even snap photos and feed them from time to time. However, there are some dangerous animals we really want to avoid at all costs. Here are six of the most dangerous animals in Pennsylvania.

1. Black Bears
Flickr/Jim Mullhaupt
Black bears, especially cubs, might be oh-so-adorable, but they can be oh-so-dangerous, too. It is estimated that over 20,000 black bears live in Pennsylvania and they have a lifespan of around 25 years. If you run into a black bear, make sure you let him know you see him, but never turn your back on a bear. Black bear attacks are relatively rare, but if one charges you, the Pennsylvania Game Commission recommends throwing rocks, sticks, or even fighting back with your bare hands.
2. Timber Rattlesnakes
Flickr/Tristan Loper
Timber rattlesnakes are protected in Pennsylvania, which means you can’t kill one even if it bites you. (You cannot destroy its nest, either). Most timber rattlesnakes live in forested areas and start coming out of hibernation in April. Your best bet is to avoid the venomous snake by wearing loose-fitting clothing, never sit down in the outdoors without first looking, and go in a different direction if you hear a rattle.
3. Coyotes
Don McCrady/Flickr
Coyotes have become commonplace in Pennsylvania, especially in its suburbs. However, if you live in the northern part of the state, where they’re most common, you’re more likely to see a coyote here. A male coyote can get pretty big, weighing in at up to 55 pounds while females can weigh up to 40 pounds. Coyotes have been known to attack dogs, so be sure to go with your dog when you let them outside.
4. Bobcats
Flickr/Matt “smooth tooth” Knoth
You probably won’t see a bobcat, a nocturnal animal, wandering around outdoors during the day. Bobcats are strict carnivores and often feed off of the carcasses of dead animals. They’re most frequently found in forested areas and even in suburbs where there are a lot of woods. During snowstorms and other bad weather, most typically hide in rocky areas.
5. Black Widow Spiders
Flickr/Lorenzo Tlacaelel
Black Widow Spiders are probably the most common poisonous spider in Pennsylvania, and you’re most likely to see them during the fall months. It’s not uncommon for a black widow to sneak into homes. A bite by a black widow is extremely dangerous. Contact your doctor if you are bitten by one, and rush your child to the emergency room if he or she is bitten by one. Unfortunately, black widow bites can kill children.
6. Ticks
Flickr/Karolina Kabat
We might not think of ticks as animals, but they are, and they’re all over the state. Many ticks in Pennsylvania carry Lyme Disease, so it’s best to avoid them at all costs. Your best bet to protect yourself is to use an insect repellant, wear light colors, and check yourself for ticks after spending time outdoors. The Department of Health in Pennsylvania also recommends taking a shower or a bath no more than two hours after coming indoors.

Have you encountered any of these dangerous animals in Pennsylvania? Any thoughts on what might be the all-time deadliest animal in Pennsylvania? Please share your thoughts and your experiences in the comments section below!

Now that you know what animals to keep an eye out for, have you ever thought about what you would do if zombies attacked? Here are the nine best places to hide in the event of a zombie attack in Pennsylvania.

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