Are there any dangerous freshwater animals in the Continental United States to worry about?
Oh yes, quite a few. In the northern part of the country, particularly in the northeast, you have water snakes. There are many various types of water snakes, and while not life-threatening, they can put quite a hurting on you. Snapping turtles, which usually lie on the bottom of lakebeds, can deliver an extraordinarily painful bite. Some fish my also feel the need to come up and take a curious bite or two, and particularly bigger fish may hurt, since some toothed fish in lakes are naturally agressive. Also in the northern area of the country, particularly the Northwest, around many wooded areas, you have dangerous wildlife that come to lakes and rivers to drink or feed, ranging from wolves to bears. Needless to say, a bear encounter is usually fatal. Bears and wolves are also found in the Northeast in heavily wooded areas, far from urban city areas. Use discretion when swimming. Water snakes, turtles and toothed fish provide a small danger throughout most of the country, and spanning t
