Top 10 Deadliest Wildlife in America - According to CDC Data

Animals injure millions of people around the world every single year, and hundreds in America alone will lose their lives as a result of wild animal attacks. 

In today’s post, we’ll be sharing a brief summary of Dr. Joseph Forrester & Colleagues summary and analysis of the CDC’s animal-related fatality statistics from 1999 to 2007. 

The official paper is titled “Fatalities From Venomous and Nonvenomous Animals in the United States (1999–2007).” 

To watch our fascinating video version of this post complete with cool animal footage, you can click here now. 

You can also download the pest-free audio-only podcast for listening at any time or read our blog post by clicking the download button above. 

Deadliest Creatures in the World

Before sharing with you the top 10 deadliest creatures in the world, we’d like to share some honorable mentions. 

Mosquitoes are considered the deadliest creatures in the world. In hot, developing nations in Africa/Asia/South America mosquitoes help to transmit deadly diseases. 

Malaria alone kills a million people every single year, and that’s transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. 

In America, the deadliest creature is technically “deer” as they cause many car accidents every single year which result in human fatality. 

For the rest of this post we’ll be more strictly focused on animal attacks, as deer cause fatalities in association with motor vehicles, and mosquitoes cause deaths as a result of spreading disease. 

10th Deadliest Creature in America: Crocodiles & Alligators

Crocodile and alligator attacks aren’t too common, but when they get ahold of you they can be very difficult to fight. 

In areas that have American alligators it is highly advised to avoid water. You can rather easily run away from alligators, but inside the water it is quite difficult to battle with an alligator. 

We’re previously written posts on how to deal with alligators, which you can view on our website. 

#9: Marine Animals

Marine animals are creatures found in the Ocean. The major creature to beware of is shark attacks. 

#8: Venomous Snakes & Lizards 

Luckily for us Americans we don’t have TOO many venomous snakes & lizards, but some areas still have these creatures. 

#7: Venomous Arthropods

This is a strange one. These creatures are NOT spiders, scorpions, centipedes, snakes, or lizards. 

These include creatures such as “fire ants.” Fire ants in the South can cause fatalities to those that are very old or young. 

#6: Venomous Spiders

Venomous spiders as an entirely new category cause several deaths every year. 

#5: Non-venomous Snakes & Lizards

This category excludes alligators, venomous snakes, and venomous lizards. 

Unfortunately the CDC data is not too clear here. It would seem that these fatalities, ranked #5 most common by category, are caused as a result of being bitten to death or crushed by the animal. 

#4: Non-venomous insects or invertebrates

Once again the CDC is not too clear. “A common list of offenders is NOT provided,” says Forrester, in his research paper. 

We hypothesize that this category may have included mosquitoes, as these creatures are NOT venomous but have helped to transmit deadly diseases. 

#3: Dogs

Every year the United States loses 1 billion as a result of injuries & death due to dog attacks! 

34% of all deaths caused by dogs occured in children under the age of 4. The victim is typically the owner or related to the owner in a close way, and the dog that caused the death is typically owned by the family. 

In America about 885,000 people require medical attention every single year as a result of a dog bite. 

Most dog bites do not result in fatality, but some dogs are quite aggressive, and as described in the case of young children the owners typically find themselves victims. 

#2: Hornets, Wasps, and Bees

The second deadliest creature in America are these yellow buzzers. Many people find themselves allergic to bees/wasps/hornets, which is why a sting causes a death. 

In rare cases, hornets or wasps will chase down someone and sting them to death hundreds of times. 

80.9% of hornet/bee/wasp fatalities came from men and 93.1% of those deaths were over the age of 35. 

#1: “Other Mammals” 

The deadliest creatures in America are classified as “other mammals” both big and small. Unfortunately the CDC was not too clear in breaking this apart, as several creatures are lumped together, creating a large aggregate. 

Hundreds of fatalities are caused every single year by horses and cows, likely as a result of getting trampled or suddenly attacked. 

Other creatures such as raccoons and skunks can cause fatalities by transmitting deadly diseases such as rabies in a bite. 

Summary

The CDC data for wildlife/pest fatalities according to the CDC during the mentioned period is unclear and unsatisfactory. 

For example, we know from our own research that bears cause deaths every year, and so do moose attacks, however neither of these creatures were listed on here, unless they were lumped into a larger category. 

Wildlife & Pest Inside Your Home

One huge risk factor for a wildlife/pest fatality or injury is a result of wildlife or pests infesting your home. 

For example, if a wild raccoon infests your home attic to raise young and survive it will become extremely aggressive and cause damage to your home and potentially yourself. 

If you think that you have a wildlife or pest related problem, please contact us at 855-WILDLIFE or visit our website at www.wildlifexteam.com for more information and a free inspection report. 

Thanks! 
-Wildlife x Team International