Everything in Oklahoma is Trying to Kill You (Kind Of)

Sure, we like to brag on Oklahoma's sunsets, friendly folks, and oddly specific roadside museums. But tucked behind all that scenery and charm? A buffet of wildlife that could absolutely ruin your day—or worse.

Beyond being the home of the only good barbeque in the nation (OK, Texas has the best brisket), the reigning NBA Champion OKC Thunder, and a couple of fantastically exciting college football teams, Oklahoma has some of the most dangerous creatures in the country.

Rattlesnakes? Got 'em.
Copperheads and Cottonmouths? Check.
Coral snakes? Oh yeah, we’ve got the whole venomous lineup.

Honestly, if Oklahoma had an official "Things That May Kill You" slogan, it might be: “Tornadoes above, snakes below, and scorpions somewhere in your shoe.”

On that topic, while scorpions in Oklahoma aren't normally a threat to life, they sure do hurt like crazy. Tiny, little, awful critters.

People like to joke that Australia is full of creatures trying to kill you, but not watching where you walk around any farm pond, barn, shed, side-yard, warehouse, garage, or any other possible place you could find yourself, and Oklahoma is stacking up like the North American Down Under. 

From the spiders to the snapping turtles, wild hogs and coyotes, bobcats and bigger cats, the Sooner State is showing out what Mother Nature can do. Just be glad we don't have giant wolves, yet.

Good times.

To be fair, I don't believe any of the animals on the list are actually hunting humans. They want to be left alone and generally only reach out in defense when they're startled or scared.

Get too close, things can go sideways real fast.