24-05-2025
Two of the most dangerous animals in the world can be found in Vermont
Two of the most dangerous animals in the world can be found in Vermont.
The Green Mountain State may no longer be home to catamounts (for now), but there are other potentially dangerous animals to look out for.
According to BBC's Science Focus Magazine, mosquitos and snakes are two of the most deadliest animals in the world – and both can be found in Vermont.
Plus, you should watch out for moose, black bears and bobcats.
Mosquitos are the deadliest animals in the world, killing over 725,000 people a year through diseases like West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
According to the Vermont Department of Health, mosquito season in Vermont begins in the spring, and virus-carrying mosquitos typically emerge in the summer. In 2024, the department found 86 EEE and 64 WNV positive pools of mosquitos, plus a couple human cases.
The Department of Health recommends protecting yourself from mosquitos by using insect repellant, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside, and limiting time spent outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active.
Vermont is home to eleven species of snakes, most of them harmless. But there is one venomous snake that calls Vermont home: the Timber Rattlesnake. This snake has a triangular shaped head to accommodate venom glands.
Vermont's Timber Rattlesnake is endangered and is only found in a few towns in western Rutland County, according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife. Most bites are not deadly, but it's still important to be able to recognize the species and seek immediate medical attention if bit.
There are about 2,000 moose in Vermont. You can find them throughout much of Vermont, but they are most numerous in the Northeast Kingdom and along the Green Mountains, according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife.
At 1,000 pounds and six feet tall, a moose can pose a significant threat if it becomes aggressive. However, according to the Appalachian Mountain Club, there has never been a human fatality from a moose attack in the Northeast. Moose pose a greater danger to people in cars: several people die every year in moose-vehicle car collisions in the Northeast.
Black bears are 'remarkable abundant' in Vermont, according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife. With one of the densest black bear populations in the country, there is approximately one bear for every three square miles. They are most commonly found in the Green Mountains and the Northeast Kingdom.
Black bears are generally shy and like to avoid humans, but at up to 500 pounds, they can still be dangerous. If you encounter a bear, Vermont Fish and Wildlife says to remain calm, ensure the bear has an escape route and back away when possible, but do not run away. If attacked, fight back.
The danger of crossing paths with a catamount, or a cougar, is a thing of the past in Vermont since the last animal was shot in 1881.
However, there is another species of big cat in Vermont: the bobcat.
The eastern bobcat is common throughout the state of Vermont, according to Vermont Fish and Wildlife. While small (around 30 pounds) and rarely attack humans, they can be dangerous like most other wild animals when they feel threatened.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Be aware of these 5 dangerous animals in Vermont
