This story was racing around the interwebs the last 24 hours and if you want to sleep again, I have some good news.

So, let's first break down what this animal actually is. First off, contrary to many stories you'll read about them, they're not actually lobsters. Their scientific name is Thelyphonida. They are commonly known as whip scorpions, even though they aren't actually scorpions, they just look like them, or vinegarroons, because they can squirt acetic acid at you, which is basically what vinegar is.

They are currently in the news cycle because Big Bend National Park in Texas shared this post over the weekend of a vinegarroon spotted in their park.

They apparently are relatively common in the south and don't present any real harm to humans, as long as the said human doesn't bother them, which would NOT be a problem for me. While they just appear to be sent from hell to devour you, they actually have no interest in you at all. Or at least that's what they want you to believe so you don't set fire to their entire park. Either way, I'm not going to Big Bend anytime soon.

You might not have to worry about acid shooting arthropods here in Illinois but there is some wildlife you'll want to avoid here in the Land of Lincoln. Here's a list of the 5 most dangerous animals in Illinois

Timber Rattlesnake

These are mostly found in southern Illinois and along the bluffs of the Mississippi. I'm not really sure if there are any other types of rattlesnakes in Illinois, but if there are, you probably want to avoid them as well.

Striped Bark Scorpion

Not as scary looking as the vinegarroon but actually a little more dangerous. A sting from one of these does require immediate medical attention.

Black Widow Spider

More common in southern Illinois. These notorious arachnids pack a very venemous bite and are one of the most dangerous spiders in the United States. Very recognizable. 0/10 would want to mess with.

Mountain Lion

Their actual numbers in Illinois are disputed but you'd have to get pretty deep into the woods to run into one.

Unrelated. One of the best scenes in TV history.

Brown Recluse Spider

The second spider on the Illinois most dangerous animal list. Again found mostly in southern Illinois. These guys are tiny, less than 2 centimeters, but pack a punch. Another one you want to avoid.

WATCH OUT: These are the deadliest animals in the world

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