One of the tradeoffs about living in such a beautiful state is that there are a lot of not so nice things that live here with us – yes, dangerous animals. For example, at various times over the years, the venomous, Portuguese man-o-war has washed up on the shores of North Carolina’s beaches, and that’s just one of the most dangerous animals in North Carolina. It’s unknown exactly how many man-o-war have washed up throughout the years, but, in one year alone, 20-30 were found on Corolla Beach!
1. The Portuguese man-of-war is commonly mistaken for a jellyfish, and it's easy to see why, as it does resemble one to the untrained eye.
These are among the strangest and deadliest animals in North Carolina. This creature is a siphonophore, an animal that is actually made up of a collective group of organisms working together.
This dangerous animal in North Carolina lives in warm ocean waters, and travels in groups of up to 1,000. Their presence here is often the result of strong easterly winds.
Just a single sting from a man-of-war is excruciatingly painful to a human. Try to imagine 1,000 stings all at once. Swarms of man-o-wars are clearly what's to fear most about these creatures due to the sheer volume of them that travel together. It's how they got their reputation as one of the scariest creatures in the sea and some of the most frightening predators in North Carolina!
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After hearing about this fearsome not-jellyfish, you might be wondering “are there other dangerous animals in North Carolina?” The answer is most definitely yes. The state’s diverse landscape, which boasts both mountains and coastlines, plus our varying climate, means that there’s an array of wildlife in North Carolina, and some of the deadliest animals in North Carolina live amongst us.
The alligator was actually pushed to the brink of eradication in North Carolina in the early 20th century. They've slowly made their comeback along the coast. You can frequently find alligators in North Carolina's canals, streams, and rivers in the eastern region. Alligators are a silent force to be feared. They are typically pretty unassuming, but they can become aggressive and defensive upon approach, and have been known to attack humans and domestic pets.
The timber rattlesnake, eastern diamond back, and pigmy are the three types of rattlesnakes found in North Carolina. All are found throughout the state except for the pigmy, which is only found in the southeastern region. The eastern diamondback is the most dangerous rattlesnake in all of North America and one of the deadliest animals in North Carolina. All three of these species are not naturally aggressive, but their potent venom (plus elusive habitat) are good reason to 'look' before stepping.
Half of rattlesnake bites occur out of accident, mainly someone stepping on the snake without realizing it. A rattlesnake will only strike in defense. It is important to keep your eye out for rattlesnakes when outside, especially when embarking on one of the many spring hikes in North Carolina, as that's when rattlesnakes tend to be more active.
Several species of shark are found off the coast of North Carolina. Sharks will sometimes wander into sounds and estuaries, mainly just to feed or migrate. The coastal waters of North Carolina make a popular, frequently-used migration corridor for several ocean species. Most shark species that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean will, at some point, swim past the North Carolina coast, usually when waters are a bit warm. Of course, shark attacks are nothing new to us, being made especially popular through television and film.
The most common species of sharks in North Carolina are blacknose sharks, sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and the tiger shark... which is the largest and most potentially dangerous, making it among the most feared of all predators in North Carolina.
Copperheads are found throughout the state. This venomous snake prefers to nest in wooden areas surrounded by rocks or by a stream. A bite from one of these is to be most feared during the summer, as they will take to hiding during the day in sheds, wood piles, debris and stumps. While bites are not typically fatal, they are extremely painful and need immediate medical attention.
Black bears are a tad bit friendlier than say, a brown bear, but they still should not be 'messed' with. Black bears tend to keep to themselves and prefer a large, uninhabited wooded landscape. You can find black bears in the mountain region of western North Carolina and the coastal swamp lands of the eastern part of the state. Black bears have been known to stumble upon campsites in North Carolina, but rarely do they attack without warrant. Typically, more of a sight to see than a sight to be feared, black bears are a special, wild treasure to this state.
North Carolina has a lot of snakes, six of those being venomous, but the cottonmouth is one of the deadliest animals in North Carolina. The venom is more dangerous than a copperhead and can be fatal. Cottonmouths are found primarily in the eastern region of the state - in swamps, lakes, rivers, and bodies of water. They usually swim with their heads above water, and are distinguished by a stripe along the side of their head. Commonly mistaken with other water-dwelling snakes, if you see one slithering near you in the water...swim away, and swim FAST!
Black widows are found throughout the state, most often in the eastern region. The female spider prefers to create her web in dark corners, tree stumps, woodpiles, and overgrown areas. While not one to just up and 'bite,' accidental bites, such as putting on a shoe where one is hiding, or accidental contact, can lead to a fatal situation.
The female hangs upside down from her web. If you see one, there's likely to be others or even future black widow babies. Take immediate care of the problem. It is also not uncommon to find them in dark areas, such as a garages.
Speaking of spiders, you should be way more fearful of the brown recluse. Luckily, they are not too common in the state, but you should still be careful. Brown recluses make their homes in shoes, old boxes, and in dark corners. They are easily identified by their eye pattern, six eyes in three pairs, and a marking that resembles a fiddle or violin on the top of the spider. If bitten, medical attention must be sought immediately.
As it's one of the most dangerous dangerous animals in North Carolina, it is one of the only spider species whose venom is considered 'medically significant.' That means that antibiotics and anti-venoms lose their affect as time passes. The poison also causes a necrotic, or dead layer of skin, that can require surgery. It is advised to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you've been bitten by one.
Several years ago, a photo circulated around North Carolina that was of a suspected black panther sighting. It was unclear exactly what species the big cat was, and it could have been a panther or cougar. Western cougars (also known as mountain lions) and panthers rarely expand their breeding habitats all the way to North Carolina. However, there's still a "big cat mystery" here thanks to the photographs and reports of big cats in North Carolina. Eastern cougars once lived here frequently, but they were all but eradicated in North Carolina by the 18th century thanks to hunting and loss of habitat.
Always remember that most animals, even the most dangerous animals in North Carolina, will not outright attack without reason. Keep your eyes peeled when out in nature, and keep your distance from wildlife and you are generally safe, even around these predators in North Carolina.
Have you ever encountered any dangerous animals in North Carolina, or do you know of any other predators in North Carolina? Share your experiences in the comments!
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Deadliest Animals In North Carolina
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What are the best little known attractions in North Carolina?
There are quite a few scary predators in North Carolina, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid wildlife altogether. The state is home to several attractions that allow you to get close-up views of wildlife in North Carolina. One such place is Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron. Opened in 2010, the 60-acre zoo is home to over 400 animals, which visitors can admire from afar or interact with for an unforgettably wild experience.
What are the most well known parks in North Carolina?
For an outdoor enthusiast, North Carolina is pure paradise. There are so many incredible parks in the state, including a few national parks in North Carolina that belong on every resident’s bucket list. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is definitely one of those parks. A crown jewel of the east coast, the national seashore boasts sandy beaches, oceanfront views, lighthouses, and more.
