![Brood X Cicadas: Are They Dangerous to Your Pets](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2021/05/Say-Youll-Haunt-Me-Stone-Sour-14.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Brood X Cicadas: Are They Dangerous to Your Pets
Brood X is the name given to the group of cicadas that are expected to immerge from the ground after a hefty seventeen year slumber. Frankly, I'm a little jealous of that kind of hibernation but that's another story.
These cicadas, or Brood X, is expected to unearth themselves by the thousands across a good chunk of the central, eastern and even a few southern parts of the United States - including here in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois.
Not only are these things winged little beasts going to be converging on a large part of the country, but they bring out their predators - you know things that like to eat them like danger noodles. Nope Ropes. Sneks... Snakes. I'm talking about snakes, specifically one rather dangerous and venomous snake - the copperhead. You could actually find some of these slithery tubes of nope right in your own backyard looking to snack on some crispy cicadas. It turns out, copperheads have a taste for cicadas and Brood X will be like an all-you-can-eat buffet.
![WGBF-FM logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WGBFFM.png?w=100)
Copperheads aren't the only creature that likes to snack on cicadas. Most domestic animals that spend any time outdoors are likely to encounter Brood X and as with most animals, if it moves, buzzes or flies, your dog - or cat - is probably going to try to eat it. But is it safe? According to the Pet Poison Helpline - a 24-hour pet poison control - cicadas do not bite or sting and pose no real threat to our pets. They may however cause a tummy ache if fluffy or fido munches on one since their exoskeletons can be a little more difficult to digest, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.
So while a cicada isn't going to be the most healthy snack for your dog or cat, it isn't dangerous. In fact, humans can (and do) eat cicadas. I really wish I were making that last part up but in case you feel like putting your cicada culinary skills to the test, you can find out how to cook a cicada here. Otherwise, I highly recommend earplugs because those little critters are going to be crawling out of the ground any day now.
LOOK: 30 fascinating facts about sleep in the animal kingdom
LOOK: The least obedient dog breeds
More From WGBF-FM
![Protect Indiana’s Ecosystem: Tips For Safely Bringing Firewood To Campgrounds](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2024/05/attachment-Campfire-Wood.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hungry? This Is The Best All You Can Eat Buffet in Indiana](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2023/12/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-2023-12-07T124900.714.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Beware: This Native Indiana Berry is Toxic to Humans and Pets](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2023/11/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-2023-11-08T145116.321.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Build Your Own Bat Box at Angel Mounds State Historic Site in Evansville](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2023/07/attachment-Copy-of-Name-James-Grade-2nd-School-Evv-Elementary-Teacher-Mrs.-Smith-When-I-grow-up-I-want-to-Be-An-Astronaut.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Leave Them Be: Why Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains Park Wants You to Stop Moving Rocks](http://townsquare.media/site/71/files/2023/06/attachment-Smoky-Mountain-Rocks.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kids to Parks Day: Inspire Outdoor Exploration and Fun with Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2023/05/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-10.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Indiana Teachers Can Take Advantage of Grants for State Park Fieldtrips](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2023/05/attachment-Copy-of-Untitled-Design-8.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Experience Adventure and Solitude While Backpacking Through These Beautiful Parts of Indiana](http://townsquare.media/site/782/files/2023/04/attachment-Indiana-Backpacking.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Indiana Drivers Beware: Speed Cameras Coming to Hoosier Highways](http://townsquare.media/site/72/files/2024/07/attachment-Construction-Cameras.jpg?w=980&q=75)