Field guide
Dangerous & venomous species
The venomous, toxic and otherwise risky species people most often need to place quickly — across spiders, snakes, plants and mushrooms. Not sure what you're looking at? Identify it from a photo.
This is for awareness, not a safety verdict. Never decide whether something is safe to eat, touch or approach from a photo or a web page. When it matters, consult a qualified local expert — and seek medical or veterinary care if exposure has happened.
- Deadly
African Lion
Panthera leo
- Deadly
Death cap
Amanita phalloides
- Deadly
Destroying angel
Amanita bisporigera
- Deadly
Poison hemlock
Conium maculatum
- Venomous
Brown recluse spider
Loxosceles reclusa
- Venomous
Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
- Venomous
European adder
Vipera berus
- Venomous
Southern black widow
Latrodectus mactans
- Toxic if eaten
Aloe vera
Aloe vera
- Toxic if eaten
American pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
- Toxic if eaten
Fly agaric
Amanita muscaria
- Toxic if eaten
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
- Toxic if eaten
Garden tulip
Tulipa gesneriana
- Toxic if eaten
Jack-o'-lantern mushroom
Omphalotus olearius
- Toxic if eaten
Lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis
- Toxic if eaten
Monstera (Swiss cheese plant)
Monstera deliciosa
- Toxic if eaten
Oleander
Nerium oleander
- Toxic if eaten
Peace lily
Spathiphyllum wallisii
- Toxic if eaten
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
- Toxic if eaten
Sago palm
Cycas revoluta
- Toxic if eaten
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata
- Skin irritant
American toad
Anaxyrus americanus
- Skin irritant
Giant hogweed
Heracleum mantegazzianum
- Skin irritant
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
- Skin irritant
Gray treefrog
Hyla versicolor
- Skin irritant
Pacific poison oak
Toxicodendron diversilobum
- Skin irritant
Poison ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
- Skin irritant
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
- Can carry disease
Deer tick
Ixodes scapularis
- Can carry disease
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
- Can bite or sting
Bed bug
Cimex lectularius
- Can bite or sting
Common snapping turtle
Chelydra serpentina
- Can bite or sting
Common yellowjacket
Vespula vulgaris
- Can bite or sting
European paper wasp
Polistes dominula