Random Animal Most Likely To Kill You From Each State (44 items)

(#17) Kentucky — Black Bears

The CDC study claims that in Kentucky, the animal most likely to kill you is some type of large mammal. There are a few options in Kentucky, aside from the poisonous spiders and venomous snakes that also call the state home. Although deaths are uncommon, Black Bears, Mountain Lions, and deer can all pose a threat to humans.

However, the first Mountain Lion sighting since the Civil War took place in 2015, and the cat was shot soon after being spotted.
(#2) Alaska — Moose

One major misconception regarding Alaska is that bears are the most common killers. Although there have been several bear-related deaths in the past decades, a much more prolific threat is the state's high moose population. Moose collide with vehicles on a regular basis, and most of the time, they only cause property damage or minor injuries. However, between 2000-2010, there were 17 moose-related crashes that ended in fatalities, and 81 that caused major injuries.

The animals' large bodies put them right around the height of the average windshield, which means they can crash through and crush any passengers in the vehicle. A recent example comes from a man named Michael Rock of Chugiak, AK.

He was driving along a highway in September 2017 when he hit a moose and his car rolled off the road. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, and the moose's body was recovered on a nearby bike path.
(#24) Mississippi — Deer

The CDC lists a large mammal as the most likely animal to kill you in Mississippi. However, the number of animal deaths in the state are extremely low. There are Black Bears present in the state, but they don't cross paths with humans often, and there have never been any reported attacks in Mississippi.
While technically not the fault of the animals, deer do inadvertently cause a few deaths in Michigan every year. According to officials, there are an average of four deaths per year caused by hunters falling out of trees. People set up their deer hunting stands between 20 and 25 feet up in a tree, and accidents are common.
(#5) California — Several Species Of Rattlesnake

Although around 221 people are bitten by venomous snakes annually in California, statistics show that less than half of a percent of bites are fatal. This is due to the availability of antivenom. Some of the most common species in California are the Sidewinder, Mojave, and Western Diamondback rattlesnakes.

Unfortunately, not everyone gets the antivenom in time. Paula Halfacre was camping with friends in Southern California when she was bitten by a Green Mojave Rattlesnake while walking away from their camp. Knowing she needed help, Halfacre tried to get back to her friends, but was weakened by the venom.

When they found her, she barely had the strength to say the words "snake bite." Although she finally made it to the hospital, it was too late, and she passed away shortly after.
(#34) North Dakota — Bison

North Dakota has minimal data relating to fatalities caused by animals. There are, however, a lot of bison attacks. In mid-2017, a 65-year-old Alaskan hiker was gored in the thigh by a bison in Theodore Roosevelt Nation Park. When he encountered the huge animal on the trail, he attempted to give it a wide berth. It wasn't wide enough, and the bison charged him and slammed him into the bushes, knocking him out.

When he came to, he realized he had a large gash in his leg and managed to slow the loss of blood with his socks until other campers heard his cries for help.
(#21) Massachusetts — Dangerous Stinging Insects

The CDC lists Massachusetts as a state where stinging, flying insects are the most deadly to humans. There are quite a few species of bees and wasps present, including European Honey Bees, Bald-Faced Hornets, Giant Hornets, and the two-inch-long "Cicada Killer."

Unfortunately for residents, many of the species that call Massachusetts home are aggressive, protective of their nests, and potentially dangerous.