Snakes dominate a new ranking of America’s most dangerous animals, but Texas has a different creature at the top: the American alligator. World Population Review lists snakes as the leading threat in 14 states and bears in eight, while alligators take the top spot in Texas. The ranking should be treated cautiously, however, because it provides no injury or death statistics and does not clearly explain how each animal was selected. Texas wildlife officials offer a less alarming perspective: most people living near alligators coexist with them without trouble - as long as nobody decides to feed one.