Discover the Deadliest Animals in Nevada

Nevada is famous for Las Vegas and its multitude of casinos and shows, as well as for its hot climate. For instance, Death Valley recorded the highest temperature this past summer, reaching 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Speaking of Death Valley, you would think some of the most deadly animals would live there, right? Animals that can survive in such a harsh climate have to be tough! With a third of the state in a desert climate, quite a few animals have adapted.

Are desert animals like scorpions, rattlesnakes, and spiders the most dangerous animals in Nevada? What about an animal called the “Gila monster”? That sounds dangerous to me. There are also large predators like bears, mountain lions, and coyotes — but are these the most threatening to people?

For years, illusionists Siegfried & Roy put on a famous entertainment show in Vegas with white tigers and white lions performing tricks and dangerous stunts. It was one of the most spectacular (and profitable) shows ever. Unfortunately, the risks of working with wild animals, even for experienced trainers, are very high as they can behave unpredictably. During a show in 2003, one of the tigers attacked Roy Horn and left him with serious injuries. He almost didn’t make it through the night, but physicians were able to save him. After months in the hospital, he was able to go home. Eventually, he recovered from most of the injuries, but there was lasting brain damage and some paralysis. That was the last of their regular shows in Vegas.

Clearly, being a lion tamer in Vegas is dangerous, but enjoying some of the animals and wildlife in Nevada doesn’t have to be. Following simple guidelines can help everyone appreciate the outdoors while remaining safe.

Let’s look at some of the deadliest animals in Nevada.

Deadliest Desert Animals

Let’s start in the desert. What desert animals are among the deadliest animals in Nevada?

1. Rattlesnakes

Five species of venomous snakes, all of which are pit vipers, live in Nevada. They are the Mohave, Speckled, Sidewinder, Great Basin, and Western Diamondback rattlesnakes. As pit vipers, they have a small “pit” under each eye that serves as a sensory organ to sense prey. They also all have a rattle at the end of their tail used to warn others. The most dangerous feature of rattlesnakes is their fangs, which can deliver a nasty bite and release venom. In the U.S., there are between 7,000-8,000 reported venomous snake bites each year, but of those, only an average of 5 are fatal. Our medical facilities are equipped to deal with venomous snake bites, so if you do happen to get bit, you should seek medical attention.

2. Scorpions

The bark scorpion lives in southern Nevada, and it is the most venomous in North America. Most scorpions are solitary animals, but bark scorpions live in “gangs” (technically, though, we call it a “bed” or “nest” of scorpions). I would not want to come across one scorpion, let alone a whole group. Groups of 20-30 Bark Scorpions living together are very common.

Another crazy fact is that Bark scorpions seem to glow at night! If you go out into the desert at night and shine a UV light, you’ll be able to detect the blue-green light that these animals emit. Scientists still seem to be baffled as to why they have this feature. It does help you avoid them, and scorpions typically want to avoid humans too. So, you should both be safe. You should seek medical attention if you do get stung, but scorpion stings in the U.S. are rarely fatal.

3. Spiders

You need to be cautious of two spiders in Nevada: the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse. Both are venomous and can cause a painful sore. However, they can rarely deliver enough venom to be fatal.

4. Assassin Bugs

That sounds like you would have two strikes against you if you ran into an Assassin Bug in Death Valley!

Assassin Bugs can get to be 1.5 inches long and have a broad body with a small head and large eyes on either side. Their most distinguishing feature is a claw-like beak that they use to bite into animals to suck their blood. Ironically, these are sometimes called “Kissing Bugs.” They got that name because it seemed they mostly bit people in the face, around their mouths. Their bites are painful, and they can also get infected by the Assassin Bugs’ own feces. That causes diseases like Chagas disease, which may be asymptomatic in some people, but it can cause fever and vomiting or lead to heart problems later in others. Dogs are also at risk from this disease. Keeping these bugs out of your house by sealing up cracks and turning off lights at night that attract them can help keep you safer.

The Gila Monster

What about the Gila monster? Is it one of the deadliest animals in Nevada?

With the word “monster” in your name, you must be somewhat dangerous, right? Yes, and no. The Gila Monster is dangerous because it’s the only venomous lizard in Nevada. But no, because they spend 95-99% of their time underground! So, it’s highly unlikely you will ever see one. They are very unique looking as their black bodies seem to be covered in beads and have a banded design of pinkish-orange stripes and spots. They are also large lizards, growing up to 22 inches long (which is almost 2 feet)!

Deadliest Large Predators

Are large predators like bears and mountain lions really dangerous in Nevada?

There are around 500-600 Black Bears that live in pockets of Nevada. While these bears are not as big or aggressive as Grizzly Bears, they can be dangerous. Although bear attacks are extremely rare and there are no recorded fatalities from bears in Nevada, there was a recent account in August 2021 where a woman camping on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe was attacked and suffered injuries to her leg. The bear had just broken into the group’s cooler when the woman surprised it (I bet she was surprised, too), and the bear was thought to be defending its newly found food. The Nevada Department of Wildlife reminded people to keep their food and trash secure while camping. Luckily this incident ended with minor injuries.

Mountain lions also live in Nevada and are even more populous than bears. There are an estimated 3,000 mountain lions in the state, but interactions with humans are rare, and there are no fatal accidents involving mountain lions.

At the Mirage hotel, where Siegfried and Roy previously performed, there is now the Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Here you can observe the white tigers and lions in an enclosed zoo-like facility, but there are no longer live shows with these wild animals on stage. They do have several interactive experiences with the wild animals, but I highly doubt Yoga with Dolphins (yes, it’s a real thing!) is dangerous.

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