The Most Dangerous Animals In The State Of Iowa

Iowa is pretty calm when it comes to dangerous animals. Iowawatch.org says it best with their report,

While much of this wildlife is harmless and can be enjoyed by nature enthusiasts, some creatures pose a real threat to humans and animals.

Still, there is enough accidents, and even deaths in Iowa related to a select number of animals to at least warrant a list to be made.

I Can't Stress This Enough... It Is A Number Game For Deadly Animals In Iowa.

The Most Deadly Animals In Iowa

You would be best to stay away from these animals in Iowa...

5) Timber Rattlesnake

It is reported that this snake is most dangerous snake species in Iowa due to its size and the potency of its venom. It is found in eastern and southern Iowa.

4) Coyotes

while they are rarely dangerous to humans, they can pose threats to pets and livestock. The real threat is that there is so many of them. They are widespread throughout Iowa.

3) Spiders: Brown Recluse & Black Widow

A lot of people hate spiders for good reason.

Black widow spiders are notorious for their venomous bite, which can cause severe pain and discomfort, though fatalities are extremely rare. These spiders are identified by their black bodies and the red hourglass marking on their abdomens.

2) Mosquitoes 

These tiny insects may seem harmless, but they can carry dangerous diseases such as West Nile Virus, Zika, and even malaria in rare cases.

Honorable mention goes to Ticks. Ticks, like the deer tick, can carry Lyme disease as well as several other nasty illnesses. Unfortunately, this has become increasingly common in the Midwest. These guys like mosquitoes have a lot of dieses they can carry.

1) Deer

Deer and other critters really do bring up their states with car accidents. The Iowa Dot went on to report,

The reality is it’s challenging enough to spot deer when we’re not distracted. But failing to watch for them at all makes us most vulnerable to collisions. In 2023, there were 8,023 reported crashes between vehicles and animals on Iowa roads. Of those, five people were killed, 23 people suffered serious injuries and more than 260 more were listed on crash reports with minor injuries.

Stay safe Iowa! You can find even more dangerous animals in the state of Iowa here. Check Out The Most Venomous Animals Here