The 5 most dangerous animals in Texas

Before listing my most dangerous animals in Texas, I want to make it clear that virtually all wild animals just want to be left alone and pose no threat to humans under normal circumstances.

Most animals will only attack people if they are surprised and feel directly threatened, or if they try to protect their young. Usually, they will flee if they see it or hear it coming.

It is also true that, in almost all circumstances, it is man who presents greater danger to animals than the reverse.

People threaten or kill animals in various ways, including humans who invade or destroy the animal's natural habitat, excessive hunting and dead animals on the road by traffic.

The golden rules are to respect wildlife and behave sensibly, so both you and the animal will be safe.

Below is my list of the 10 most dangerous animals in Texas.

Cougars

Also known as cougars, mountain lions, panthers and catamounts, pumas are arguably the most dangerous animal in Texas in terms of ferocity and potential damage.

These big cats can be found all over the Trans-Pecos, as well as in the scrublands of South Texas and parts of the Hill Country. However, they do not recognize humans as prey, so attacks are very rare (since 1890 there have only been 88 attacks and 20 deaths in all of North America).

It is more likely that the puma attacks when it is starving, or if it is a juvenile looking for a new territory. The puma will try to bite the neck of its victim to subdue it. If you have the bad luck to meet an aggressive cougar, you should not play death or stay still, but you should have direct contact with the eyes, shout and use sticks and stones to scare him away.

Crocodiles

Alligators are generally shy and generally try to escape when approached. However, their ability to stand still for long periods and camouflage themselves can cause them to accidentally trip easily. Their willingness to protect their young can also make them dangerous in exceptional circumstances.

Its powerful bite is the most powerful of any animal, so you should never risk it with them and keep your distance.

Coyotes and wolves

Coyote attacks on humans are rare, but a pack of these wild dogs can easily get an adult man out. They also mate with domestic dogs creating "coydogs", which have all the predatory instincts of a coyote along with a lack of fear of humans. Coyotes and coydogs are generally more of a threat to livestock than people, but they are still dangerous.

Wolves can be aggressive to humans, but they are rarely seen in Texas, and they naturally avoid and fear humans, so attacks are extremely unlikely.

Boars

Spanish explorers brought the Hogs (also known as wild boar and pigs) to the United States. Originally domesticated, some escaped, grew up and created a wild population. Although they generally try to avoid humans, they can be very aggressive if found.

The worst time of the year for the attacks is during the mating season, when the males become more aggressive. Women can also attack if they feel their young are threatened.

The pig attacks loading. This is usually done to scare the person, but sometimes they make violent contact. The damage is mainly caused by the fangs, which can hurt people's legs and occasionally kill them.

Scorpions

There are 18 different species of scorpions in Texas, with an average of about 2 inches in size. The sting of a Texas scorpion is generally not considered dangerous to human life, but it can be very painful.

In rare cases, the poison can cause an allergic reaction, however, in that case, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.