Random Deadliest Texas Animals That'll Make You Watch Your Step In Lone Star State (13 items)

• 

  (#3) Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma

  • Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma

  Western cottonmouth snakes may have a shy temperament but are potentially one of the most deadly animals found in Texas. Also known as water moccasins, the western cottonmouth can potentially be found in any aquatic environment in Northern Central Texas including pools, lakes, rivers, or streams. They can be distinguished by their flat, broad head, their thick body decorated with dark and irregular cross bands, and their slender tail.

  When confronted, western cottonmouth snakes would rather run away or completely freeze to blend into its surrounding and will open its mouth, revealing it's namesake, before striking.  If it strikes, however, the venom it injects can be potentially deadly. The western cottonmouth's venom is a hemotoxin that prevents the blood from clotting and could cause hemorrhaging in the circulatory system, temporary or permanent tissue damage, and possibly the loss of bodily extremeties depending on where the bite is located.
• 

  (#1) Brown recluse spider

  • Loxosceles reclusa

  Nesting and making its webs across the shed rafters, underneath the cardboard boxes, and between scattered clothes is the brown recluse spider. The spider is often nocturnal and shy, but as such can establish and thrive in manmade areas by "hitchhiking," stowing away in darkplaces including trashcans or boxes then infesting when brought indoors. Unlike other spiders, the brown recluse is distinctive for its six eyes and violin-shaped marking.

  The brown recluse spider has an incredibly venomous bite. Their bites affect people in different ways but in rare instances their bites can be fatal. In the worst circumstances, a brown recluse spider bite could create a "volcano lesion" and turn gangrenous or develop necrosis. Other symptoms of a bite may include itching, chills, fever, nausea, sweating and a general feeling of discomfort or sickness.
• 

  (#9) Flood-Rafting Fire Ants Are Extremely Adaptable And Dangerous

  Fire ants may not be native to Texas, but they have become increasingly pervasive since their introduction to the state in the 1950s and have exterminated other native breeds of ant due to their aggressive behavior. Though they may not be intimidating individually, as a colony they can be harmful to plants, animals, and humans alike. When threatened fire ants are aggressive and will act in mass to protect their colony. They can bite and sting, which can be painful and leave white pustules, but when one ant stings, it triggers others to do the same. Despite being able to observe their behavior, it isn't clear how their response is triggered and communicated.

  Not only are these fire ants highly aggressive and territorial, they are incredibly adaptable. These ants have waxy bodies, and when clustered together they can create a "raft" so the colony can continue to survive. Fire ants rafts were rampant during Hurricane Harvey, and citizens were able to capture videos of these little critters lumped together and floating along.
• 

  (#7) Alligator

  • Alligator

  American alligators sit at the top of the food chain in their freshwater territories. They can be found throughout the Southern United States including the rivers and wetlands of Texas. On average, a male gator grows up to 11 feet, and in rare cases, can weigh upwards of a thousand pounds. These aquatic reptiles have large armored body, a flat muscular tail, and a broad head with rounded nostrils facing upwards to allow the animal to breath while still mostly submerged underwater.

  American alligators are a force to be reckoned with, and can be incredibly dangerous. Despite their size, alligators are well-camouflaged and incredibly quick, making them an apex predator. On land these reptiles can run up to 11 mph for short bursts, but while in water they can swim at 20 mph for extended periods of time. When they are waiting and watching their prey they look similar to logs until they get close enough to strike with jaws that can snap tortoise shells.
• 

  (#5) Agkistrodon contortrix

  • Agkistrodon contortrix

  Texas is home to three species of copperhead snakes: the southern copperhead, Trans-Pecos copperhead, and the broad-banded copperhead. All of which can be identified by their light brown body and reddish-brown crossbands.

  The copperhead snake is a very timid creature. Rather than put up a fight, it prefers to flee or attempt to blend in with its environment to remain out of harm's way. It can, and will, strike at a threat if intimidated. On average, copperhead snake bites account for more human bites per year than any other snake. While those bites rarely result in death, the venom can cause tissue damage, mild nausea, and can be incredibly painful
• 

  (#4) A Kissing Bug Can Leave You Prone To Chagas Disease

  Seemingly small and harmless, the kissing bug is a vector for the deadly Chagas disease. There are 11 different species of kissing bug found throughout the entire Southern United States, but are found in highest diversity and density in the American Southwest, including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

  The true kiss of this insect is its vampiric bite, which it delivers when it sucks your blood or that of your animals. After it is done feeding, it leaves behind its fecal matter. The feces contains a tropical parasite that causes Chagas disease, and if rubbed into the bite wound, infection can occur. 

  While some people can go their entire lives without showing symptoms of Chagas disease, around 20%-30% of infected people will go on to develop debilitating and life threatening medical problems such as heart abnormalities and dilated digestive organs.

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking