New study reveals the states most likely to encounter a dangerous animal - Vivid Maps (2024)

From nature to nurture, having pets adds purpose to many lives, buts it’s important to remember the facts when it comes to wild animals. Wild animal attacks on humans are increasing in urban areas across North America. Annually across the United States, eight people fall victims to wildlife, with thousands seeking medical attention following bites each year. But where in the U.S. are you most likely to encounter a dangerous animal and which states have the highest odds of being involved in an incident?

ABy analyzing all reported animal attacks across the United States since 2000, using data from Wonder.cdc.gov and Wikipedia, a new study fromBetOhio.comreveals the states with the greatest chance of being in an incident with an animal.

California has experienced one of the greatest number of attacks in America (312), residents are estimated to have a 1 in 127,129 chance of being targeted. Texas is crowned the most fatal capital with 559 attacks, with Texas having a one in 53,842 chance of being involved in a dangerous animal encounter. Vermont, North Dakota, and New Hampshire have had no reports of animal attacks since 2000–making those within them state the safest.

Texas and California are America’s leading states for dangerous encounters

The report that analyzed data since 2000 found Texas was the leading state for attacks having over 200+ more than California, which came in second. Texas ranked the highest across all categories par contact with other specified venomous arthropods, bitten or crushed by reptiles and fish.

Texas had the highest number of contacts with hornets, wasps, and bees – witnessing 196 cases since 2000.

Florida (257), North Carolina (180), and Tennessee (165) make up the top five states for dangerous animal encounters.

The table below shows the top 15 US states in order of the highest animal attacks:

Vermont, North Dakota, and New Hampshire have had no reports of animal attacks in 20 years

Vermont, North Dakota, and New Hampshire have had no reports of animal attacks since 2000 – making those within them state the safest. Closely followed by Rhode Island (1) and Delaware (2) who have had little to no reports.

The table below shows the top 5 US states in order of the lowest animal attacks:

What are the chances of being involved in a fatal animal encounter?

Living in the wild, taking those hikes in the woods – from bear attacks to wolfs, what are the odds of you being involved in a dangerous animal attack when put against your state’s population?

West Virginia leaves many out of luck, with the state coming in as the most likely, with your chances of fatality being one to 30271 when encountered by a dangerous animal.

Delaware has the highest odds par the states with no attacks, with one in 1062583 people having a chance of being involved in an attack.

Chances of being involved in a fatal attack: