The state of Georgia is located in the southeastern region of the United States and it has many fascinating wild areas, so what dangerous animals in Georgia you can find?
Georgia is rich in diversity of fauna and flora and you can find different animal and plant species in the region.
The northern part of the state is characterized by the blue ridge mountains and the larger Appalachian Mountains. There is an escarpment that defines the southern part of the country. The highest place in the state is Brasstown bald which is at 4800 feet above sea level and the lowest point of the state is the Atlantic Ocean. The entire state of Georgia is the largest of all the states on the eastern part of the Mississippi River. Thanks to this, Georgia has diverse wide range of wild animals, including dangerous ones!
When it comes to places that you can see and the things that you can do, Georgia is your next destination. The metropolis of Atlanta is a blend of different cultures and people from different parts of the world.
You will find the city life of the capital very charming and vibrant. You should visit Georgia and explore the best places that the city gives you a chance to get the best. There are different animal species in Georgia and depending on the region that you are visiting you are sure to get something interesting to do.
The beauty of the state does not come with challenges because several animals are very dangerous when you encounter them during your trip. When exploring the state, you must always keep your safety as a top priority.
Table of Contents
Bobcats
The bobcats are a species of cats that are native to the state of Georgia. These cats are usually bigger than your average cat. They grow so big and they can attack especially if they are hungry or nursing a young one.
Do not be fooled by their fluffiness, you assume that the cat will not attack you. These cats are usually yellowish-brown with some spots of black or brown depending on the location that is inhabited.
They weigh up to 40 pounds and can thrive in a wide array of habitats. The males are usually bigger and they are very aggressive whenever they feel that they are threatened.
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Centipedes
The centipedes are some of the worst creatures that you can encounter during your trip to the state of Georgia. These are creatures with flattened bodies that have distinct segments.
All the species of this category have long antennae and their jaws usually have poison glands that are on the segment that is closer to the head. The centipedes usually grow from one to twelve inches long and they have different colors such as reddish-brown, dark brown, and light yellow.
The centipedes consume small creatures such as insects and they usually catch them by injecting their venom and making them motionless. People who are hyper allergic will experience the most adverse effects of the centipedes.
When the centipede bites you will experience intense pain, blurred vision, loss of breath, and a rise in blood pressure. The venom can be eradicated by washing with soap and water and injection as well to reduce the adversity of the venom.
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Eastern Coral Snake
The Eastern coral snake is another dangerous creature that you should be careful of when visiting Georgia. These snakes are characterized by yellow, black, and red rings which cover its body.
The snake species are closely related to sea snakes, mamba, and cobra. They usually thrive in habitats such as marshy, sandy, wooden, and areas with water. This is why they thrive in the southeastern United States. They usually spend most of their time underground.
Many people tend to confuse the eastern coral snake with the scarlet king snake.
These snake species may look similar, however, they are entirely different species and the eastern coral snake is very dangerous. The red rings are bordered by the yellow rings and they usually bite whenever they feel that they are threatened.
The problem with a bite from these snakes is that it will not be felt for the first twelve hours. When this happens, you are likely to experience intense pain later.
The venoms affect the central nervous system and you will be unable to move from one location to another. You will experience blurred vision, slurred speech, and muscle paralysis and it can lead to death. When bitten by a snake you should seek immediate medical attention.
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Ticks
The most dangerous and harmless-looking creatures are the ticks which are found in different parts of the state of Georgia. These spiders usually do not harm humans.
However, they are known to be carriers of dangerous diseases and you should avoid them as much as you can. One common disease that the ticks will carry is Lyme disease and this might cause very dangerous when it is not treated immediately.
The ticks are very active in winter and they are in different places in the garden. They like to stay in areas such as the garden, park, wooden area, and backyard. The best way that you can deal with them is to wear long pants and always use insect repellant.
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Pigmy rattlesnake
The pigmy snake just as the name denotes is a species of snake that is very smaller than any other group of rattlesnakes. These snakes are characterized by lavender, tan, or grey bodies with black spots along with their bodies.
These snakes can grow up to 31 inches in length and they are well conversant with the waterbodies. They thrive in wet and dry environments as well. Therefore, you are likely to encounter these snakes in swamps, creeks, forests, and sandhills.
They eat small mammals such as frogs, birds, and lizards among others. When they bite the venom is like that of a pit viper and it will cause muscle paralysis, blurred vision as well as loss of breath.
It may not cause death to some people depending on the amount of venom that is delivered to the body. The venom usually destroys the red blood cells and can cause severe pain.
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Fire Ants
The fire ants are some of the most dangerous and yet disturbing animals in the southern state. These fire ants might seem to be very small creatures; however, they are very dangerous because when they bite you they will inject you with venom that causes different diseases. The fire ants are usually found in southern America, however, in the 30s they made their way to the United States and quickly colonized different states in America.
It is important to note that these ants are very dangerous. Fire ants are a very aggressive species and they invade areas and cause havoc whenever they are in a specific location. You should understand that you are unable to get rid of the ants unless you remove the queen.
The bites are very painful they cause inflammation of organs and can transfer dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease to your body. When the bites are not treated they cause organ failure because they initiate necrosis.
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The Brown Recluse
The brown recluse is perhaps the scariest and most dangerous spider that you will find out here. The creature tends to hide from people and does not attack unless it is provoked. It is critical that when visiting different areas of the state you should have all the necessary information to avoid injuries or bites. The recluse spider is characterized by violin-shaped body marks. When they are in their habitat, you must avoid them because they can sting you.
Their bites are venomous and research has shown that the venom from the spider will cause necrosis or cell death. This is a very dangerous process because it might cause the organs to fail or lead to fatal infection if it is not treated immediately. When you are bitten by a spider you should seek immediate medical attention.
Copperhead
The copperhead snake is one of the major snakes that can grow from 2 to 3 feet and they have a very distinct pattern from reddish-brown and brown with saddlebag-shaped cross bands. According to research data from the state department, copperhead snake bites account for more than five hundred deaths in the southern United States.
They are very versatile creatures and can live in wooded areas, and shrubby places, besides they can also live in urban settings hence the need to avoid areas where these snakes thrive.
The copperhead snake is a type of pit viper and they are heat sensors hence usually hunt at night. Since they move at night, if you are planning to explore different areas of the state at night then you should be wary of this snake.
Kissing Bugs
There are different bug species in the state of Georgia. The triatomines are popularly called the kissing bugs and they are very notorious for biting people on the face while sleeping. These insects are very scary and they may make painless bites. However, the bugs inject a chemical that causes the bite area to lose sensitivity to pain.
While they might seem to be painless or harmless these kissing bugs are known to carry Chagas disease. Chagas disease is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and general fatigue. The most dangerous thing about it is that the victims will develop an enlarged heart and this may cause heart failure.
Bears
Two black bear species are in the state of Georgia.
These bears are the black bears and the grizzly bears. The black bears are less aggressive than their counterpart and you must find a safe place when exploring the state.
These creatures are usually dangerous and if you are not careful, they will bite you and cause severe injuries. These black bears grow up to a height of five feet and may weigh up to 300 pounds.
The grizzly bears on the other hand are very huge and dangerous because they attack even without any provocation. When you see them, you must call for immediate help.
When you are attacked by a bear, it is vital that you seek immediate medical attention to prevent any sickness that may be transmitted from the animal to you.
Red foxes
Red foxes are species of foxes that are found in the state of Georgia. These foxes are very dangerous because they are usually carnivorous and they eat small animals such as rabbits and rodents. They usually hunt at night and hence you should place that is infested by these creatures. They usually grow to a height of 2 feet and weigh from 8 to 18 pounds. They have very sharp claws and teeth and they can bite you at any movement.
When they are alone they are usually docile, however, when they are in a group they are likely to attack you. Do not feed these foxes because the food will attract many of them and they might attack you.
The foxes usually have rabies and other diseases. It is important that when you are bitten visit the nearest medical facility and report to the doctor.
The black widow spider
This is one of the creatures that you should avoid by all means when you visit the state of Georgia. It is important that you take your time to understand the area that you are visiting so that you ensure that you do not encounter these dangerous creatures.
They are popular for their hourglass shape and very glossy black bodies. These spiders do not sting when they are not provoked. It is important to understand that when you are facing the challenges of spiders then you should call a professional who handles the problem. When the spider stings you, you will experience symptoms such as muscle cramps and spasms that will last up to twelve hours.
The area affected will be inflamed; you will experience high blood pressure, headache, and severe chest pain. You should visit a doctor immediately if you feel that you have been bitten by a spider.
In conclusion, the state of Georgia presents you with a unique opportunity to explore different parts of the state, and enjoy fun activities while keeping it safe. Always gather more information before you go on a trip so that you know what to expect during the process.
