This Sunny, Wildly Popular Vacation Hub Actually Has The Most Venomous Animals In America

Arizona is a many-splendored place, and each year, tens of millions of tourists come here to experience the wonders of the Grand Canyon State. This is a land of red-rock cliffs, saguaro-studded hillsides, and sprawling Ponderosa pine forests. The bright skies are a major draw; pick any point on the map, and you can expect between 260 and 320 sunny days in a year. Arizona is one of the top-10 most visited states in the U.S., and many are coming here for the long haul: Retirees are quietly leaving California for this affordable gem with charming towns, mountains, and state parks.

But the first time you spot a scorpion on the ground, the good vibes may evaporate. Despite its many swimming pools, golf courses, and refined restaurants, Arizona is very much a desert, and only the fittest wildlife can survive this unforgiving climate. Some of these species use venom to hunt and protect themselves, chiefly snakes, spiders, and scorpions. Arizona has one of the largest populations of venomous critters of any state in the U.S.

Naturalists are quick to point out what "venomous" actually means: Unlike "poisonous" plants and animals, which must be touched or ingested to hurt you, these species must bite or sting you in order to inject their venom. This may be small comfort if fangs and stingers already freak you out, but you'll probably have to frighten or antagonize an animal in order for it to strike. That said, you may be surprised to learn that bees are also considered venomous, and "killer" bee colonies are a common danger in Arizona.

Scorpions are perhaps the most famous desert-dwellers: More than 30 species of scorpion have been spotted in Arizona, and they're extremely common across the state. A popular activity is to walk around the desert at night with a UV flashlight, so bark scorpions glow blue, emerging from the darkness. As it happens, bark scorpions are also the most dangerous variety in North America; a sting is almost never lethal to adults, but a successful attack can cause pain and tingling, especially among small children. What's uniquely frightening about bark scorpions is their ability to climb; you might encounter one in trees or on fences, places that other kinds of scorpions can't access.

Snakes are another common source of nightmare fuel, and Arizona has no fewer than 14 venomous species. Several of these are rattlesnakes, which will likely alert you to their presence with an audible jiggle of their tails. One of the most famous is the western diamondback, which is also considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the country. While fatalities are rare, you should seek immediate medical attention if you're bitten by any kind of snake. Sleeping in tents is a common way to spend time outdoors in the Sonoran Desert, so here are some prime camping locations you should always choose if you want to avoid snakes.

Arizona is home to other venomous creatures as well. The cute-slash-weird-looking gila monster is pretty shy and slow-moving, but if it feels cornered, this lizard can inject venom with an agonizing bite. You could also encounter any of three venomous arachnids: wolf spiders, the brown desert recluse spider, and the old-fashioned black widow.

The odds of getting bitten or stung are still pretty low; if visitors to Arizona were constantly dying of rattlesnake bites, tourism would grind to a halt. And this state is hardly alone: Florida's most snake-packed waters aren't for the faint of heart, and Texas is a popular southern state with the highest number of venomous spider species. But if you like to be outside, you might very well spot a rattlesnake while on vacation in Arizona, and scorpions can make an appearance just about anywhere, even indoors.

Visibility is helpful. Avoid thick vegetation and nooks and crannies that are partly hidden. If you're hiking, wear shoes or boots that cover your whole foot, and consider bringing along a snake bite kit. Avoid provoking a venomous animal, especially snakes. If you are bitten or stung, stay calm; call 911 and get to a medical facility as quickly as you can. Again, dying of a venomous attack in Arizona is pretty rare, but better safe than sorry.