I think it’s safe to say that Kansas is a fairly quiet and secure state. Pair that with unsurpassed beauty and you have an essentially perfect place to live! Well, almost perfect… Unfortunately, there are still some undesirable aspects to the state, like some of the most dangerous animals in Kansas, including these 11 terrifying things that can (and just might) kill you:
- Tornadoes
Flickr/Niccolò Ubalducci L. Frank Baum didn’t just dream up Kansas tornadoes when he wrote “The Wizard of Oz.” In fact, according to the National Weather Service, Kansas saw a total of 48 tornadoes in 2014 alone.
- Severe weather in general
Flickr/Patrick Emerson Unfortunately, the bad weather doesn’t just end at tornadoes, as the NWS also reported 534 instances of hail and 649 wind reports in 2014. Driving in these conditions can lead to…
- Car accidents
Flickr/John In 2013, the Kansas Department of Transportation reported 350 deaths caused by automobile accidents. You’d think in an expansive state like Kansas everyone would have room for their own vehicle, but accidents are one of the biggest predators in Kansas. Please be careful out there!
- Humidity
Flickr/Guian Bolisay You know how it feels to get into your car in the middle of the summer? I’m pretty sure that’s what hell feels like. This guy has the right idea, it takes a lot of hydration to survive the summer in Kansas.
- Spiders
Flickr/Smithsonian Institution-NMNH-Insect Zoo Did you know that Kansas is home to several poisonous spiders, including the Black Widow, Hobo, and Brown Recluse (pictured)? Keep your eyes peeled for these small, fast-moving arachnids!
- Snakes
Flickr / Ed Dunens Spiders aren’t the only venomous creatures and predators in Kansas in our neck of the woods. Snakes such as the Copperhead (pictured) also inhabit the state.
- Ticks
Flickr/John Tann Last creepy crawly, I promise–but worth noting because of the numerous diseases they carry.
- Hamburger Man
Flickr/Mary Crandall Rumor has it that a half-man, half-monster terrorizes the city of Hutchinson by kidnapping, butchering, and grinding up his victims into hamburger meat. So, if you live in Hutch, you may want to keep an eye out for that weirdo. Here’s hoping he gets sucked up by one of those Kansas tornadoes.
- The Chiefs
Flickr/Victor Araiza Sure they play in Missouri, but they’re OUR team… and they can break our hearts like nobody else. Let’s be honest, heartbreak is one of the most dangerous animals in Kansas.
- Our college team
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Our favorite college team has shattered our soul once or twice. (Or three times, depending on the team!) Legend has it that the home team losing a game is more dangerous than any weather storm Kansas can throw at us.
- Kissing bug
Flickr / Glenn Seplak No, I’m not referring to some cutesy, puppy love… I am talking about the deadly Triatominae bug, which has recently made its way into Kansas and other southern states. To find out more information about keeping this predator in Kansas away from your home and loved ones, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
What other things in Kansas can kill you? Tell us your take in the comments, hopefully not from any kind of personal experience.
Flickr/Niccolò Ubalducci
L. Frank Baum didn’t just dream up Kansas tornadoes when he wrote “The Wizard of Oz.” In fact, according to the National Weather Service, Kansas saw a total of 48 tornadoes in 2014 alone.
Flickr/Patrick Emerson
Unfortunately, the bad weather doesn’t just end at tornadoes, as the NWS also reported 534 instances of hail and 649 wind reports in 2014. Driving in these conditions can lead to…
Flickr/John
In 2013, the Kansas Department of Transportation reported 350 deaths caused by automobile accidents. You’d think in an expansive state like Kansas everyone would have room for their own vehicle, but accidents are one of the biggest predators in Kansas. Please be careful out there!
Flickr/Guian Bolisay
You know how it feels to get into your car in the middle of the summer? I’m pretty sure that’s what hell feels like. This guy has the right idea, it takes a lot of hydration to survive the summer in Kansas.
Flickr/Smithsonian Institution-NMNH-Insect Zoo
Did you know that Kansas is home to several poisonous spiders, including the Black Widow, Hobo, and Brown Recluse (pictured)? Keep your eyes peeled for these small, fast-moving arachnids!
Flickr / Ed Dunens
Spiders aren’t the only venomous creatures and predators in Kansas in our neck of the woods. Snakes such as the Copperhead (pictured) also inhabit the state.
Flickr/John Tann
Last creepy crawly, I promise–but worth noting because of the numerous diseases they carry.
Flickr/Mary Crandall
Rumor has it that a half-man, half-monster terrorizes the city of Hutchinson by kidnapping, butchering, and grinding up his victims into hamburger meat. So, if you live in Hutch, you may want to keep an eye out for that weirdo. Here’s hoping he gets sucked up by one of those Kansas tornadoes.
Flickr/Victor Araiza
Sure they play in Missouri, but they’re OUR team… and they can break our hearts like nobody else. Let’s be honest, heartbreak is one of the most dangerous animals in Kansas.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Our favorite college team has shattered our soul once or twice. (Or three times, depending on the team!) Legend has it that the home team losing a game is more dangerous than any weather storm Kansas can throw at us.
Flickr / Glenn Seplak
No, I’m not referring to some cutesy, puppy love… I am talking about the deadly Triatominae bug, which has recently made its way into Kansas and other southern states. To find out more information about keeping this predator in Kansas away from your home and loved ones, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
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Address: Wichita, KS, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Animals in Kansas July 06, 2022 CC What can you do to stay safe in Kansas? To stay safe during a tornado, head to a basement, storm cellar, or small interior room with no windows. The winds can easily break glass causing the risk of injury while you’re sheltering. Keep your head and neck protected and have a radio, cellphone, or other communication device with you in your safe sheltering space. State officials also recommending signing up for an alert service so you have time to prepare in advance of a storm. And perhaps most importantly, you end up getting blown away by a tornado, don’t trust any wizards running Emerald Cities. To combat another weather hazard, the intense heat, wear loose and breathable clothing and avoid strenuous physical activity if possible when temperatures are dangerously high. It’s important to stay hydrated with plenty of liquids, water being the most advantageous option. Unfortunately there’s no way to stay safe from your sports team losing a big game. It’s a rough world. That one’s up to the universe and the coach. We recommend treating the injury with chocolate and relentless, though possibly delusional optimism.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Animals in Kansas
July 06, 2022
CC
What can you do to stay safe in Kansas? To stay safe during a tornado, head to a basement, storm cellar, or small interior room with no windows. The winds can easily break glass causing the risk of injury while you’re sheltering. Keep your head and neck protected and have a radio, cellphone, or other communication device with you in your safe sheltering space. State officials also recommending signing up for an alert service so you have time to prepare in advance of a storm. And perhaps most importantly, you end up getting blown away by a tornado, don’t trust any wizards running Emerald Cities. To combat another weather hazard, the intense heat, wear loose and breathable clothing and avoid strenuous physical activity if possible when temperatures are dangerously high. It’s important to stay hydrated with plenty of liquids, water being the most advantageous option. Unfortunately there’s no way to stay safe from your sports team losing a big game. It’s a rough world. That one’s up to the universe and the coach. We recommend treating the injury with chocolate and relentless, though possibly delusional optimism.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
To stay safe during a tornado, head to a basement, storm cellar, or small interior room with no windows. The winds can easily break glass causing the risk of injury while you’re sheltering. Keep your head and neck protected and have a radio, cellphone, or other communication device with you in your safe sheltering space. State officials also recommending signing up for an alert service so you have time to prepare in advance of a storm. And perhaps most importantly, you end up getting blown away by a tornado, don’t trust any wizards running Emerald Cities.
To combat another weather hazard, the intense heat, wear loose and breathable clothing and avoid strenuous physical activity if possible when temperatures are dangerously high. It’s important to stay hydrated with plenty of liquids, water being the most advantageous option.
Unfortunately there’s no way to stay safe from your sports team losing a big game. It’s a rough world. That one’s up to the universe and the coach. We recommend treating the injury with chocolate and relentless, though possibly delusional optimism.
