These Are The Most Dangerous Species Worldwide

If you step outside and venture into nature, there’s a chance you’ll encounter a dangerous creature. Many animals attack when provoked, while others are on a mission to get you. These are the world’s most dangerous animals.

Cute Little Tarsiers

Tarsiers look super cute but they’re incredibly dangerous. Their bites alone can cause anaphylactic shock. Don’t let their size fool you, it’s their incredible hearing that makes them a danger to prey.

Floating Terror

The Portuguese Man of War is not actually a jellyfish but a siphonphore. It will sting you, leaving large welts and almost whip-like marks on the skin. Apart from the reported searing pain, sometimes the venom will make its way to lymph nodes, causing cold-like symptoms.

Here Comes Trouble

The Great White shark doesn’t necessarily want to eat humans, but are happy to have a taste. Known for the largest percentage of attacks on people, they are formidable creatures with females sometimes weighing in at over 4000 lbs.

Buffalo with an Axe to Grind

Cape Buffalo are known for their stealth and intelligence. They will kill humans, lions, and other game – sometimes remembering an animal or human they encountered years before. At times weighing in at more than a ton, they’re a deadly opponent.

No Teddy Bear

Polar bears are more likely than other bears to attack people. Surviving on a very meaty diet, they can weigh close to 2000 lbs. On the up side, unless you live in the Arctic, you’re unlikely to meet one.

Not So Gentle Giant

Gorillas are best treated with caution. Although generally gentle and leaf-munching, gorillas will attack and cause serious injury if they feel threatened. An adult male can reach up to a weight of 400 lbs!

Tse Tse Fly Away

The Tse Tse fly is known for its bite as it needs the blood of a vertebrate to survive. They won’t help you burn fat, but they will give you a nasty disease. They are a major cause of transmission of various ailments and diseases, among them sleeping sickness.

Dragons Do Exist

This imposing lizard will eat just about anything, including humans. The Komodo dragon will take their time with a kill and wait until the victim has bled to death. They can weigh up to 150lbs and are unchallenged as the largest lizards in the world!

Natural Born Killer Bees

The Africanized Honey Bee is a hybrid of various African and European bee species. Frankenstein-style, tens of swarms of the new ‘Killer Bee’ escaped captivity and spread throughout the Americas. This tiny creature has been known to chase and kill humans and horses.

Not the Ideal Mate

‘Widow spiders’ have a tendency to eat their mates. Moreover, their venomous bite contains latrotoxin; the illness which then infects the victim is painful and sometimes even fatal. If you want to grow old enough to need a face lift – stay away from Black Widows.

This Scorpion Means Business

The Deathstalker Scorpion is rarely dangerous to adults, but its bite has enough venom in it to endanger the lives of children and the elderly. Packed full of neurotoxins, the poison will send some victims into anaphylactic shock.

Mosquito Blues

Mosquitoes do a lot more than ruin the summer, each year they are responsible for about ¾ of a million deaths worldwide. Spreading terrible diseases like malaria and yellow fever – they are a deadly nuisance.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

In places like India some 20,000 people have been known to die in a single year from a dog bite, whereas in Europe or America it might only be a few. Dogs are ‘man’s best friend’, but they also carry some frightening diseases, rabies being the most famous and most lethal.

Crocodiles Bite

Despite its name, the Saltwater crocodile can live happily in salty or fresh water. Often reaching a size of over 20 feet and sometimes weighing more than a ton – its bite is so powerful, some say it’s like being bitten by a Tyrannosaurus Rex!

Golden Poison Dart Frog: Not So Pretty

With the tiniest amount of poison (about 2 micrograms) this little frog can make another animal’s heart stop. Although you might be tempted to touch these beautiful, multi-colored little creatures – don’t! The poison isn’t hidden – but waiting for unsuspecting victims on the frog’s skin…

Cone Snails: Definitely Not Escargot

These little creatures may look sweet and even attractive, but they are part of a family of predatory sea snails. No current anti-venom exists for these critters – whose venom can cause complete paralysis. Inhabiting warm and tropical seas worldwide, everyone should beware.

Mamba Not Samba

Despite its funky name – the Black Mamba snake is no joke. Sometimes growing to a length of 14 feet, the black mamba is huge. Quick on his belly (slithering over 12 miles an hour) this snake is also the speediest in the world. If you asked a Black Mamba ‘How do you burn fat?’ – he would say ‘by chasing breakfast, lunch and dinner’. Although there is an antivenin, steer clear – as each snake contains enough venom to kill a dozen people.

Beware of Blowfish

Although they work well as cartoons, don’t be deceived – Blowfish are among the most poisonous vertebrates in the world. With a poison (tetrodotoxin) which is more powerful than cyanide, they have few predators. Unbelievably it is possible to eat them in places like Japan and China, where specially trained chefs apparently know which bits are safe!

Little Shop of Horrors

Living the longest out of any octopus species, the Giant Pacific octopus is like something from ‘A Little Shop of Horrors’. With often up to 600 lbs of body weight, he is a formidable predator. With sucker-covered legs he catches his prey – but then feeds through his gigantic mouth which contains radula or a ‘toothed-tongue’. Scary!

A Real Assassin

Euphemistically called the ‘kissing bug’, the Assassin bug loves to bite people on the face, near the mouth. The ensuing parasitic infection can be fatal; approximately 12,000 people a year die from an Assassin bite.

Not So Cute and Cuddly

The second largest seal in the Antarctic, the Leopard seal is a serious predator. Despite looking sweet and furry, this seal sports long, sharp teeth, and is one of the most dangerous marine animals around.

Vampires are Real

Well with a name like that, expect the worst. The Vampire bat is essentially everyone’s worst nightmare; they will aggressively pursue any means to bite and have a tall drink of blood. Apart from the obvious drawbacks of being bitten by a bat – they often spread infection to their victims – charming.

Lion King

Think of the movie ‘Lion King’ and you aren’t far off. Just imagine the enormous power of these large cats, who at times weigh up to 400 lbs. Females hunt while the males protect territory and the safety of the ‘pride’. How do you burn fat? Try escaping from an African lion…

No Wall Flower

Although handsome and somewhat colorful, any similarity to actual flowers stops there. These underwater, spiky, globular creatures aren’t flowers at all – but animals. Its Greek name Toxopneustes literally means ‘poison breath’, because the Flower Urchin inflicts stings which are severe and incredibly painful.

Stony-Faced

Living in and around coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific Oceans, most of the time you wouldn’t know these fish were there. Their rough, rock-like exterior is the perfect camouflage. Imagine never needing a face lift! But watch out – if they’re disturbed Stone fish will release their own special neurotoxin, for which you will need an anti-venom.

Strangler Octopus

Found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Blue-Ringed octopus is amongst the most venomous creatures in the deep blue sea. So if the blue-ringed octopus feels under attack, they will strike and essentially asphyxiate the victim with their venom – as it paralyzes respiratory muscles.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a wasp…

This is no bird, but rather a wasp. Named after its favorite food, i.e. tarantulas, this plucky wasp apparently has one of the most painful stings around. The good news is, a Tarantula Hawk sting isn’t life threatening.

Hippo in my Tub

Although the word ‘hippo’ evokes images of kids songs and cute bedtimes stories, the hippopotamus is a very dangerous animal. Weighing at times over 3000 lbs, hippos are one of the largest land mammals to roam the earth. Although largely herbivorous, hippos have an incredible set of teeth and can be aggressive and territorial.

Like Your Cat but Bigger

Inhabiting different parts of Eurasia, Canada and Western Europe, the lynx is in many ways similar to a typical house cat. They prefer solitude and will attack, scratch and bite if provoked. Accomplished hunters, they will feed on small rodents, but also foxes and animals as big as deer.

Snake Royalty

He is the ‘king’: the longest venomous snake known to man. One bite from a King cobra is so dangerous it can kill someone within a half hour. Found in India and South-east Asia, the King Cobra’s venom attacks the central nervous system, causing a painful list of symptons (i.e. paralysis) before eventually bringing on death.

Poison Jelly

Nearly invisible, the Box jellyfish is the most toxic of all jellyfish. With poison-lined tentacles, this strange creature injects a powerful mix of toxins into its victims that attack skin, heart and nervous system cells. Despite there being an anti-venom, many people don’t survive being attacked, but rather go into shock and end up drowning.

A Good Pet?

Despite some bad press, hyenas are not stupid, and lead highly coordinated group hunts to catch their prey. Fast and strong, with jaws that can break bones. Not normally known to attack humans – in true scavenger style hyenas will pounce on someone they feel is weak, injured or sick. With all that said, some hyenas have become successful pets.

Like a Bullet to the Heart

Like the searing pain of being shot – the sting from a Bullet ant will leave you writhing in agony, often for many hours. Known to inhabit hot tropical places like rainforests, some remote South American tribes have been known to use the ants in initiation ceremonies. The venom can attack the central nervous system.

Eurasian Hunter

The largest in the wolf family, this Eurasian/American canine can reach a weight of almost 100 lbs. Known for its skill in hunting large game, the Gray wolf will often hunt in packs. Although not known for going after humans, a Gray wolf attack would almost certainly prove to be fatal.

Ursus Horribilis

Lewis and Clark named it the ‘Grizzly bear’, other naturalists called it Ursus horribilis – both meaning essentially the same thing: this is a terrifying bear. Generally found in parts of North America, Scandinavia and Asia, Grizzlies live up to their name. More aggressive than other bears in the region (i.e. black bear) it is also one of the biggest and strongest.

Pufferfish Say What?

Look, these inflatable fish are in reality one of THE most dangerous animals on the planet, but wait til you hear why. Pufferfish are extremely poisonous, when they inflate they release a poisonous chemical known as tetrodotoxin. Furthermore this chemical can quickly harm the nervous system and causes any communication or messages that are transmitted between the brain and the body to become blocked. Poison dart frogs come first, it’s the pufferfish that is the second most poisonous animal in the entire world.

SSSSSSSSidewinder

Oh great, another snake. Meet the sidewinder, or as it’s known by its scientific name, the Crotalus Cerastes. Belonging to the rattlesnakes family, you can typically find the sidewinder in desert areas. However if you should get bit by one, be extremely alarmed. While it may appear harmless and small, they pack a deadly bite.

Not An African Elephant

Well, if my mother saw this, her face would look like a face lift gone horribly wrong. Look, you need to forget ‘Dumbo’ because African elephants are known to be incredibly fierce and aggressive. As the largest land animal on Earth, their brains weight about 11 pounds alone, think about what then their body would weigh. GULP.

Hey, Spectacled Caimans

Part of the crocodilians group, the Spectacled Caimans is up next. Big jaws? Short legs? Long tails? Triple check. But let’s not forget that they have their eyes and nose on the top of their head which means they can breathe and see underwater. Oh, and then there’s their gigantic, sharp teeth so yeah just stay away.

I’m a Piranha – They live in the Amazon

Channeling my inner Nemo here. Typically found in South America, don’t be fooled by its “innocence”, those sharp teeth and strong jaws aren’t just for show. Just in 2011, over 100 people were viciously bitten, although deadly attacks are rare. Piranhas tend to strike most when hungry, the definition of “hangry.”

Inland Taipan Makes The Cut

Meet the Inland Taipan, whose venom includes neurotoxins, hemotoxins, and mycotoxins. What does that mean? Oh just that it can affect the nervous system, blood and the muscles beyond anything you’ve ever experienced. Swell. See, thing is, it can kill an adult human being…within 45 minutes. Don’t fret, there is an antivenin.

Dem Vultures

Usually found in Africa, Asia, and some parts of Europe, not just cartoons. With just two breeds, New World and Old World vultures, their tendency to attack for food is deadly.

Beautiful Clouded Leopards

A wild cat that has especially long, piercing canine teeth. While the smallest of the big cats, they are brilliant climbers with sharp teeth. However clouded leopards are currently on the endangered species list.

Watch out, Michael Phelps

Water monitors are incredibly quick swimmers, faster than Michael Phelps even, and that’s saying something. Not considered a strong hunter, this giant lizard however has extremely poisonous saliva and it does bite to kill.

Down Here

So Siafu ants, or driver ants, are known to attack if they should feel threatened. Not only do they attack in huge swarms but the strength of their bite is exponentially stronger than the Hulk. Once an ant attaches to its prey, it is not an easy task to pull it off.

Bang – Bang

Next up is the Bullet Shark, otherwise known as Zambezi shark. It gets its name from its rather stocky shape, broad yet flat nose, and its extremely aggressive, unpredictable behavior. Not only can they survive in both salt and fresh water, but they can also travel up rivers. Furthermore they are responsible for a majority of the near-shore shark attacks.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman

Call it what you want, Brown recluse, Loxosceles reclusa, or Sicariidae, this is the opposite of Spiderman. Known as just one of two spiders that contains a necrotic venom, which means it kills off cells in the body. If bitten, initially it won’t hurt but it can be serious.

They’rrrreeeee *not* Great

Tony the Tiger may be the only tame “tiger” in the world. Southern regions of Australia is where the Tiger Snake dwells. Moreover their venom includes the highly potent neurotoxins, coagulants, haemolysins and myotoxins. We won’t go into detail as to what the horrible symptoms of a bite are, but if left untreated, the mortality rate is between 40 and 60%.

Land down under

Native to eastern Australia, the Sydney funnel-web spider can cause serious injury or death if it bites its victims. So like plastic surgery, it’s best to stay away.

Taste the rainbow

The farancia erytrogramma, or rainbow snake, is a rather large, nonvenomous, highly aquatic, colubrid snake – colubrid snakes are located in every continent apart from Antarctica. Often times, this snake isn’t seen as it is rather mysterious. Although they do love water and are known to burrow into mud and sand.

Nile Perch

The Nile Perch was first introduced to Lake Victoria in 1954. It was used as a way to counteract the drop in native fish caused by over-fishing. It was actually counterproductive and caused the extinction of more than 200 fish species! Yikes!

Water Hyacinth

This one is native to South America and is definitely one of the most deadly aquatic weeds in the entire world! Its flowers are beautiful but don’t be fooled. It is quite dangerous. It is now located in over 50 countries and makes fishing impossible.

Caulerpa

The Caulerpa was introduced into the Mediterranean in 1984. It can easily adapt and has spread around other areas with tropical seaweed. It’s easy ability to adapt is why it is so dangerous.

Crazy Ant

Crazy ants are indeed crazy! They are invading native ecosystems and wreaking havoc! They are causing major environmental damage everywhere from Hawaii to Zanzibar.

Small Indian Mongoose

Don’t be fooled by the size, the Small Indian Mongoose is a straight up predator. They are widespread everywhere from Iran to Fiji. They were actually first introduced to Mauritius, Fiji in the West Indies to control rats. They caused the local extinction of many birds and reptiles.

Feral Pig

Feral Pigs are all over the world and have an interesting diet. They love to eat land tortoises, sea turtles, and seabirds. They easily transmit a number of diseases including leptospirosis and foot and mouth disease.

Dutch Elm

Duth Elm is a super deadly fungus spread by the elm bark beetle. It can kill an entire elm in three weeks by clogging its water-conducting vessels! Yikes! It began to spread in the UK in 1968. It is responsibly for killing more than a third of southern England’s 23 million elms.

Grey Squirrel

The American Grey Squirrel has totally devastated Britain’s native population of red squirrels! It first appeared in England’s countryside sometime around 1876.

Japanese Knotweed

This one is very interesting! The Japanese Knotweed was first introduced from Asia to Europe in the mid-19th century. It was viewed as a mere ornamental and fodder plant. It actually grows very quickly and prevents native seeds from germinating. Plus, it thrives on being uprooted! It can regrow anywhere after being root out.

Giant African Snail

The Giant African Snail was first introduced to the Pacific and Indian oceans as a food source for humans. Turns out it has quite the appetite and attacks all sorts of things including more than 500 kinds of plants.

Stonefish

When a Stonefish is camouflaged when it is on the ocean floor. It can cause mass destruction! It calmly waits on the ocean floor for other fish to swim by so it can use its jaws at lightning speed to eat it!

Poison Dart Fog

Just one of these can kill an army of over 20,000 mice! It can also stop the heart of any large animal. What’s worse? The poison is located on the surface of its skin. Don’t touch it!

Boomslang

The boomslang is pretty shy and usually doesn’t attack humans. It has very dangerous venom and its venom disables blood clotting. Why is that important? Well, it means its victims slowly die as they bleed from all pores in their body.

Puffer Fish

This is one of the most poisonous vertebrates in the world! It is also actually a delicacy in Japan. If you are infected with its poison, it will cause your diaphragm to become paralyzed and stop you from being able to breathe.

Carpet Viper

This one is responsible for a number of snake-related deaths in the world. It uses a hemotoxin similar to that of the boomslang we mentioned earlier. Sadly, most of its bites are in areas of the world where people can’t access modern medicine. Its victims slowly bleed to death over the course of several weeks.

Brazilian Wandering Spider

This is the most venomous spider in the world! Why is it so dangerous? Part of it is that it wanders. They are found everywhere, from hiding in everything from cars to houses.

Blue Ring Octopus

This octopus is about the sick of a golfball. It packs enough poisin to kill 26 people in just a few minutes!

Cassowary

This is the deadliest bird on earth. It has talons strong enough to disembowel a person!

Champawat Tiger

This is the most deadly man-eating animal in history! You can probably tell from the looks of it it is one deadly species.

Ascaris Roundworm

This is a parasite that hatches their eggs inside of your intestines. It burrows through your guts, and blood and eventually settles in your lungs. Yikes! They kill about 4,500 people per year.

Irukandji

This is one deadly species whose movements are very difficult to predict. It sends between 50-100 people to the hospital each other.

Red-bellied Black Snake

This is a species of snake native to Austrailia. Its venom is totally deadly. A bite from it is fatal. It is commonly located in woodlands, forest, and swamplands.

Giant Centipede

Native to Peru, it is one of the largest centipedes in the world! It is found in South America and the Carribean.

Sydney Funnel Web Spider

This spider is native to eastern Austrailia. Its bite can result in death if left untreated.

Eastern Brown Snake

Commonly called the only brown snake, this is an extremely venomous snake native to Austrailia and New Gunia. It is considered the world’s second-most venomous land snake!

Such a Viper

Preferring dry habitats, the Saw-Scaled snake likes to live in Africa and India. Coming out at night to catch prey, this is one snake you don’t want to meet in the dark. The special formula of toxins the Saw-Scaled viper delivers in a bite is so poisonous, it can cause blood disorders and hemorrhaging in the brain. The viper kills more people every year than any other snake.