Animal attacks are rare, but when they do occur, they can be deadly. From alligators to pit bulls, Florida has its fair share of dangerous animals. Some of these animals are smaller than your fingernail, while others are some of the largest and most dangerous animals in the ocean and on land. No matter where you live in Florida, it is important to know and respect the other animals that share our planet. It’s their earth too and humans are often the ones who encroach on their habitats. When this happens, deadly animal attacks can occur.
Florida is home to numerous land, air, and water creatures that can significantly injure people who threaten or occupy their territory. Some of the most dangerous animals in Florida include:
- Spiders – In Florida, the two most deadly spiders are the brown recluse and the southern black widow. Both of these spiders will bite if they feel threatened. The brown recluse spider has a venomous spider that is found most often in damp piles of leaves, wood, or clothing. Southern black widow spiders are also deadly, especially the females who have distinct red hourglass markings on their backs.
- Sharks – The waters off the coast of Florida are teeming with all sorts of creatures, including various species of shark. Bull sharks and great white sharks are often spotted along the coastline and can cause serious injury to surfers, swimmers, and boaters.
- American Alligators – The Everglades is not the only place in Florida that is full of American Alligators. These alligators can be found in Florida waterways, swampy marshlands, and even suburban backyards. One of the most recent fatal alligator attacks occurred outside a Disney World resort when an alligator grabbed a 2-year-old boy who was hanging out by the resort’s man-made lagoon.
- Wild Boars – These large and feral hogs can weigh more than 300 pounds and will attack even when not provoked. They’re aggressive and territorial and will eat just about anything they can find. They also carry numerous diseases that can infect and kill humans.
- Florida Brown Bears – These are the largest land animals in Florida and although rarely seen, an encounter with one can quickly turn deadly. While they are vegetarians, these bears will attack when they feel threatened, especially in suburban areas.
