If you're unfamiliar with Coyote Peterson videos, you're missing out on one of the most popular dangerous animal and wildlife YouTube channels, Brave Wilderness. Peterson grew a massive audience on YouTube, mostly due to his willingness to let just about any animal bite, sting, and scratch him. He even parlayed that success into an Animal Planet series, Coyote Peterson: Brave the Wild, where he manages to both educate and entertain his audiences with his unfortunate encounters.
Who Is Coyote Peterson?
Coyote Peterson, whose given first name is Nathaniel, was born in rural Ohio, about 20 miles east of Cleveland on September 1, 1981. Inspired by his mother, he spent his childhood exploring the outdoors and catching different animals. He studied film at Ohio State University, and though he doesn't have any formal animal training or education in biological science, he describes himself as an animal expert.
Coyote Peterson's videos showcase everything from executioner wasps to Asian giant hornets to alligators. We're not sure if the self-proclaimed wildlife educator is crazy, brave, or both, but there is no denying he's one of the world's most entertaining. These 15 YouTube videos are just some of his most painful adventures.
1. 200 Angry Yellow Jackets
As if one yellow jacket wasn't enough, Coyote upped the ante by getting stung by 200 yellow jackets. While he tangles with quite a few exotic creatures, Coyote is no stranger to ones that are more common here in the U.S.
2. The Giant Desert Centipede
Coyote faced one of the most fearsome animals to anyone in the know: the giant desert centipede. Coyote claims that this one bite was more painful than all of the stings he's encountered—it drove him to seek medical attention for the first time in his wildlife-encounter career. As far as Coyote Peterson videos go, it's a gnarly one.
3. Alligator Snapping Turtle
Most people in their right mind wouldn't let a regular snapping turtle, let alone the much larger and harder-biting alligator snapping turtle, within, well, snapping distance. But Coyote just had to experience the bite for himself.
4. Warrior Wasp
After Coyote finished climbing the pain-sting index, which charts the most painful insect stings on the planet, his viewers clued him in to the Central American wasp that supposedly packs a worse sting than number one on the list, the bullet ant. Spoiler alert: In the video, he says the warrior wasp isn't quite as painful as the ant, but we still don't want this wasp anywhere near us!
5. Alligator
His viewers asked for it repeatedly, and Coyote was more than happy to oblige with an alligator bite video.
6. Porcupine
Not many would willingly allow themselves to become a human pincushion in the hopes of providing an educational moment for their viewers. But Coyote did just that by allowing a porcupine to quill him and then demonstrating the proper way to remove the quills.
7. Lionfish
Most of Coyote's videos involve reptiles or insects, but he did one video with a fish. In this one he allows a lionfish to stick him with one of its venomous barbs. The results are about what you'd expect. (Ouch.)
8. Leeches
In the not-too-distant past, leaches were commonly used for medicinal purposes. But you'd be hard-pressed to find someone else willing to let leaches latch on these days—which is why Coyote made this video.
9. Velvet Ant
This tiny creature just looks scary, and if Coyote's reaction is anything to his encounter with a velvet ant to go by, it has the sting to match!
10. Leafcutter Ant
Who would think those little ants you see scurrying through the jungle in movies carrying little pieces of leaves could have such a painful bite? Coyote, apparently.
11. Tarantula Hawk
Based on this insect's vicious-sounding name, Coyote's reaction to allowing a tarantula hawk sting him should be no surprise.
12. Gila Monster
The gila monster is the only venomous lizard species native to the United States. This bite is one of the few that Coyote didn't planned.
13. Fire Ants
For those who say he's crazy, they may have an argument with this one. What sane person sticks their hands in a pile of fire ants? Coyote makes this one a teachable moment, taking the time to demonstrate how to avoid being scorched by the ants, and how to soothe the pain if you are.
14. Python
Fair warning: Those with a fear of snakes won't enjoy watching Coyote's encounter with a python.
15. Bullet Ant
As mentioned above, the bullet ant is rated number one on the pain sting index. In that way, this video doesn't disappoint, if you want to watch Coyote drop to the ground in pain.
READ MORE: 5 Quick Ways to Tell if a Snake is Harmless or Venomous
