Southwest Florida is a tourist dream with sandy beaches, sunshine, and minor league baseball. But stray too far from civilization, and it can get pretty scary. Did Brian Laundrie kill himself because he was overwhelmed with guilt, or was it because he was about to be eaten? All they found was skeletal remains.
Let’s face it, there’s a lot of things down here trying to kill you. There’s 6 venomous snakes in Florida, and only 2 of them were deadly enough to make this list. Our tropical environment brings danger, both on the land and in the water. The only thing we’re missing is flying death. Fortunately the Pterodactyls got knocked out by evolution, or a giant meteor, or aliens, or whatever. Imagine being out golfing, maybe shooting 2 under on the 15th, it’s a beautiful day and BAM a pterodactyl scoops you up for lunch. This has to be the reason why cavemen didn’t golf.
Ranker took a look at the most dangerous animals here in the sunshine state. I wanted to add “Snowbird behind the wheel of a car” but decided to stick to the Florida animals that live here year round. So here we go, with 14 animals in Florida that can kill you.
Box Jellyfish
(shutterstock)
A fun stat? Box jellyfish kill more people each year than sharks. A sting from this thing can stop your heart. Still feel like going for a swim?
The Brown Recluse Spider
(shutterstock)
I know someone that had multiple brown recluse spider bites on her arm. She didn’t die but it suuuuuuuuuucked. Necrosis, fever, vomiting are all likely symptoms.
Black Widow
(shutterstock)
Now, normally you won’t die if you get bit by one of these, but are you ready to roll the dice? One time I was at a transmitter site and opened a panel to find a black widow waiting inside. I don’t help with engineering anymore. Nope.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
shutterstock
It’s called a rattlesnake for a reason, it’ll rattle it’s tail to let you know you need to move on. If unheeded, this snake has an incredible painful bite. If you don’t get help immediately, you can die. Painfully.
Bull Shark
(shutterstock)
You knew there’d be a shark on this list. Big and aggressive, they cruise the coast of Florida.
Alligator
(shutterstock)
Class, this is what’s know as an Apex predator. Top of the food chain. More and more often we’re seeing these beasts on the golf course. Don’t wanna get eaten? Stick to Top Golf.
Southern Copperhead
(shutterstock)
Look at how that thing blends in with the leaves – watch your step. Interesting fact, this snake will generally give you a warning strike with little or no venom. The second bite though…
Kissing Bugs
(shutterstock)
It sounds friendly enough, except that the “kiss” is actually a bloodsucking bite. But that’s not where the real danger is. These bugs transfer a parasite that transmits Chagas, which may lead to fatal cardiac arrest.
Great White Shark
(shutterstock)
Yes, as in “Jaws”. Like old people from New York, they come down here in the winter for the warmer climate. And occasionally nibble on a swimmer.
Fire ants
(shutterstock)
I’ve been bit by fire ants many times, it’s not fun. Fortunately for me after the first couple of bites I’m smart enough to get out of the grass. If you’re allergic, or even if you get enough bites, your body can swell up to the point where you suffocate. The best way to avoid this is to stay inside and play video games.
Barracuda
(shutterstock)
Super sharp teeth and don’t normally attack humans. These things can swim up to 35 mph and if something shiny catches their eye, like a necklace on a swimmer, they might accidentally attack.
Wild Boar
(shutterstock)
If you live in a rural area down here, you’ve seen these things. They are mean, and will attack. The best part? They’re full of diseases and bacteria – including anthrax.
Panther
(shutterstock)
There’s actually no reported deaths in Florida from panther attacks, although they have been know to take down livestock. No human deaths in Florida, don’t want to be the first.
Black Bear
(shutterstock)
If they do attack, they tend to maul rather than kill. So, maybe scarring and horrible disfigurement? Black bears live in the rural areas and are quite know to sift through trash and if you leave pet food outside – you may get a new pet.
