When it comes to dangerous creatures that live in Wisconsin, most people think of mosquitoes and ticks first, but there are several more creatures to worry about encountering the next time you're in the Northern woods.

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Wisconsin's Most Dangerous Creatures

There's a lot of wilderness in Wisconsin, which means MANY animals call the state home. Yes, Wisconsin has bears, coyotes, even black widow spiders, but when it comes to the most dangerous creatures you need to worry about, here are 5 of the most concerning, (and surprising ones), according to AZ Animals:

1. Black Bears

Photo by Bill Pennell on Unsplash
Photo by Bill Pennell on Unsplash
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Black bears typically try to avoid humans, but will become dangerous if they feel threatened. Also, NEVER purposely leave out food for bears because doing so will make them more comfortable around humans and that's when the real problems begin.

2. Rattlesnakes

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Canva
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Are you ready for this? Wisconsin is actually home to about 21 different species of rattlesnakes with the Timber Rattlesnake and Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake being the most dangerous! Just like black bears, rattlesnakes try to avoid any human interaction but if threatened they will bite, and their venom is highly poisonous.

3. Cougars

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
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The cougar population in Wisconsin has decreased significantly thanks to hunters, but they still live there and will attack. If you encounter a cougar in the woods, back away very slowly.

4. Brown Recluse Spiders

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Finding a brown recluse spider in Wisconsin is more rare than common, but the Door County area is where they are generally found the most. Keep an eye out for the irregular webs they spin, especially if you're staying in a place with a cedar shake roof.

5. White-Tailed Deer

Deer Crossing Road,washington state
James Vancouver
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White-tailed deer may be beautiful and seem harmless, but they are the leading cause of serious car accidents in Wisconsin. White-tailed deer can also be dangerous when protecting their young, so if give deer plenty of space when you see one.

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LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany