Arkansas is a landlocked state that is located in the south-central region of the United States, in this beautiful state of Arkansas you will find many fabulous wildlife areas, so what Dangerous Animals In Arkansas you can find?

The state is bordered by Mississippi and Tennessee to the east, Oklahoma and Texas to the west, Louisiana to the south, and Missouri to the north.  It is the 29th largest state and has a population of about 3 million people. A majority of the people reside in the capital and the largest city little rock.  It is located in the central part of the state and it is the hub for culture, government, business, and transportation. There are other cities around the region, which are essential, and these contribute greatly to the exceptional nature of this state. Jonesboro is the largest city in the eastern part of Arkansas.  The state is unique because of its terrain and geography and the wetlands across Arkansas have contributed immensely to the diversity of the fauna and flora that you are going to find in this region.

Arkansas is characterized by the lowlands of the southeast and the highlands of the northwest. The highlands are essential for forming the Ouachita and Ozark mountains. On the other hand, the southern lowlands form part of the Arkansas delta and gulf coastal plain. The state has flat terrain with rich soils, which supports a wide array of plants and animals. It is important that during your visit to the region you explore some of the best locations across the state.  The flat region has rich alluvial soils that are often formed from the erosion and flooding of the Mississippi river.  This moves further to the southeastern part of the state where the undulating landscape creates a perfect environment for different creatures and plants to thrive.  Arkansas is home to numerous caves and there are over 43000 Native American living caves in the region. During your visit to the state, you are going to learn so much about the history of the native people, geology as well as hydrology of Arkansas.

Why visit Arkansas?

There are numerous places across the state where you can go enjoy fun outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping.  During your visit to the area, you should take time to explore the amazing features of the state of Arkansas. The fauna and flora of the state vary with the elevation and the prevailing climatic conditions.  The climate of this state is subtropical, this is influenced by the Gulf of Mexico, and the average temperatures are about 19 degrees Celsius. It is a perfect location for your outdoor activities. Here are some of the dangerous creatures that you should watch out for during your trip to the region.

Black Bear

The black bears in the state of Arkansas have been rising in numbers in the recent past after the state reinstated them to the habitat. This was essential because it has led to an increase in the number of these bears. The diversity of the state coupled with an amazing environment is perfect for different creatures to thrive in this habitat. During your trip to the region, you are likely to encounter them moving from one place to another.

Further reading: Dangerous animals in Alabama

The bears are usually characterized by their sharp claws and teeth. It is essential that you do not interfere with them especially when they are thriving in their habitat or when they have their cubs around. They are known to be very aggressive and might cause organ and tissue damage when they attack you with their sharp claws. It is therefore essential that when visiting this state you should be wary of these creatures.  It is important to note that most of the time these bears will not attack unless they are provoked.

Cottonmouth snake

Perhaps this legendary snake is what you should avoid by all means during your trip to the region. The cottonmouth snake is the most venomous snake and you will see a white lining on the mouth when it is in its defensive posture. They are found in almost every country in Arkansas.  The snake is very common, especially in the Ouachita Mountains and the highlands of Ozark.

They usually come in different colors such as olive brown and dark cross bands and these snakes are very territorial hence the need to avoid them during your trip.  They consume rodents and other smaller animals. When they bite, they usually deliver a dangerous venom that causes paralysis and failure of different organs in the body.

Deer

This is one of the creatures that you least suspect that it going to cause severe problems for you. It is important that during your trip that you watch out for these animals, especially in the dense forests across the state.

The deer are known to move from one part of the state to another and during this process, they can be very aggressive especially when they have their young ones or during the rutting period. You might see them and think that this is adorable like Bambi, however, this are not the case, and they are wild animals and will attack you.  They have sharp antlers that are used for protection hence you are likely to be attacked by these horns in case you interfere with their habitat.

Coral snake

The coral snake is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter during your trip to the state of Arkansas. These snakes are usually found in more than five counties in the state.  The snakes are easily recognizable by the yellow and red bans on their bodies. It is essential that when you are exploring this state, then you should watch out for these dangerous snakes.

They do not need to be provoked to attack you therefore, you must ensure that during your trip to the area you do not interfere with their habitat. The venom released by the snake is hemotoxic and this is known to affect the body tissues and organs. This can disrupt normal body function hence the need to avoid them. Some of the symptoms of the bite from the coral snakes include blurred vision, lowered heart rate, and difficulty breathing. It is important that you seek immediate medical attention when bitten by this dangerous snake.

Alligators

Alligators

Perhaps one of the most dangerous species that you are going to encounter during your trip to Arkansas is the alligator. They are known to inhabit the state for numerous centuries now.  These creatures are known to thrive in the wetlands across the state and it is imperative that when planning to visit Arkansas, you should watch out for them.

They have been protected over the years because of overhunting. It is essential to note that these creatures can grow up to 14 feet long and the chances of you encountering them in the wild are very high hence the need for you to be very careful when traversing the state.  It is important that if you do not know some areas then you can go with a tour guide who will show you some of these places.

Brown recluse spider

The brown recluse spider is another species of dangerous spider that you are going to encounter during your trip to Arkansas. They are known to inhabit different places ranging from the grasslands in the state as well as the dense forests across the state. You must watch for these creatures because they can be very dangerous.

These spiders usually like to inhabit the dark. It is important that during your travel to this state you should watch out for these spiders because they are known to cause dangerous effects on different organs and tissues of the body. The venom from the brown recluse spider is known to cause necrosis and which is the death of tissues of the body. In addition to this, it affects the central nervous system and this will cause severe side effects such as hallucinations, blurred vision, difficulty breathing, and death in people who are highly allergic to these creatures.

Timber Rattlesnake

The timber rattlesnake is one of the most dangerous snakes that you are going to encounter during your trip to Arkansas. They are known to thrive in different habitats across the state.  These snakes are known for their peculiar head and body shapes that are brown or yellowish with V bands on the body. Depending on the region that you are going to visit these snakes usually range from 35 to 65 inches in length and they are often found in trees or areas that are covered by thick forests.

The timber rattlesnake lives both in bushy, rocky, pine, and hardwood forests. They are most active from April through October. These snakes usually consume birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and rodents among other species. It is essential that you keep a safe distance from them because they can cause severe injuries and damage to your organs and tissues.

Scorpions

Scorpion

Arkansas is home to some of the most dangerous scorpions that you are going to find in the United States. It is important that during your trip to this country you should watch out for them because they can be very lethal. The scorpions have a pincer at their rear end. These pincers are usually used for piercing through the skin before they deliver toxic venom. The venom from the scorpion is very dangerous because of its toxicity as well as its level. These scorpions are mostly found in dense forests and grassland across the state.

It is important that during your trip you avoid the areas that are inhabited by these creatures. The striped-back scorpion is the most common species in Arkansas.  While some of the scorpion’s venom might not be life-threatening, it is known to cause tissue necrosis, which means that the affected area will rot away. This will cause damage to different organs in the body. You should seek immediate medical attention if you are stung by this creature.

Copperhead snakes

The copperhead snake is a popular snake that is found mostly in Midwest. It is characterized by its hourglass pattern on the back and rusty color. They are pit vipers therefore; you should not fool around them because they are very dangerous.  They usually come in different cross bands on their bodies ranging from brown, black, and dark grey among others.

They are known to grow up to 36 inches long and they will come in different colors depending on the habitat in which you are going to find them. The copperhead snake can be found in pine-hardwood forests, grasslands, forest areas, fields, and hillsides among other places. They are literally found in most places across the state.  They usually consume a wide array of creatures ranging from small snakes, lizards, and frogs, among others. It is important that you stay away from these creatures because they can be very dangerous and venomous.

Black widow spider

black widow

This is one of the most dangerous spiders that you are going to encounter during your trip to Arkansas. It is imperative that you watch out for these creatures because they are known to thrive in the wild from the forests to the areas that are filled with tall grass. The spiders are characterized by their hourglass shape and bands of markings on their abdomen.

They usually build a coarse silky web in the areas that they inhabit. The black widow spider likes to inhabit dark places and these may range from attics, the basement, and garages among other areas, it is important to understand that these arachnids are very dangerous because a single bite from them is 15 times more potent than a single bite from the prairie rattlesnake.  When they bite, you will feel pain radiating from the bite areas as it extends toward the abdomen and the back. Some of the symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps, muscle spasms, slurred speech, blurred vision, and excess fever. It is essential that you seek immediate medical attention otherwise, it could lead to fatalities.

 

Aurimas Bio

Hi there! I’m Aurimas, a man behind Go Look Explore. I’m passionate about hiking, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, and everything outdoors related. Let’s connect.