The Most Dangerous Animals

The Most Dangerous Animals

Around the world, there are many dangerous place. Here’s a list of some most dangerous places on Earth.

Australia is not as dangerous as popularly thought, and that’s why it’s only ranked at #5 on this list. That said, Australia does have its share of deadly animals, especially in the tropical north. Many of these animals dwell in the ocean, where most people won’t encounter them.

1. Box Jellyfish

The most dangerous animals in all of Australia thrive in the tropical waters of the Land Down Under. And, hands down, box jellyfish are the most dangerous of them all. Box jellyfish are a class of highly venomous jellyfish that include species like the sea wasp and the Irukandji. Not only are these jellyfish hard to see in the deceptively deadly waters during the warmer months, but they can also kill in as little as 2 minutes. In fact, box jellyfish have claimed over 64 lives in Australia since 1883.

2.Stonefish, Sea Snakes, Cone Snails, & Octopi

In addition to box jellyfish, the waters are teeming with other highly venomous creatures. Stonefish, which are among the most venomous fish in the ocean, hide among the rocks and sand. Sea snakes, which are among the most venomous snakes in the world, slink through the water column. Cone snails, which are highly venomous marine snails, slide across the seafloor. And blue-ringed octopi, which have enough venom to kill 26 adult humans in minutes, crawls among the crevices.

3. Saltwater Crocodiles & Bull Sharks

In coastal waterways around Australia’s tropical north, you’ll also encounter saltwater crocodiles, which are the largest reptiles in the world, and bull sharks, which are responsible for more shark attacks than any other shark species. Both of these aquatic predators share common traits.

First, they both have a reputation for extreme aggression and highly predatory behavior towards humans. And, second, they both are happy in saltwater AND freshwater. Unlike most other crocodilians, saltwater crocs are not confined to freshwater, and they will cruise up and down coastlines and, even, across oceans. Similarly, unlike other sharks, bull sharks are not confined to saltwater, and they will venture miles up rivers.

So how do you avoid these crocs and sharks? Well, don’t swim in waterways known to harbor crocs and sharks. Ideally, when you’re in their range, just stick to a pool.

4. Coastal Taipans

In the bush, there are a host of venomous critters. But snakes are the most threatening. The worst of the lot is the coastal taipan. The coastal taipan is the third most venomous snake in the world, and it inhabits Australia’s north. Among venomous snakes, it is considered extremely dangerous and rivals only Africa’s black mamba in ferocity. When surprised or cornered, they will strike repeatedly and deliver high doses of venom. However, if they have the opportunity to flee, they usually will.

With so many highly venomous creatures, Australia might seem more dangerous than the United States and especially more dangerous than Canada. However, many of Australia’s creatures are small and afraid of people, and they don’t have rabies. On the other hand, in the United States and Canada, bigger and more aggressive animals roam, and many of them do have rabies. From alligators and cottonmouths in Florida to grizzly bears and wolves in Alaska, North America has a rather deadly selection of wildlife.

 5. Colonial Terrors

Before the Industrial Revolution, North America was a VERY dangerous place. European settlers arrived in an unfamiliar and uninviting land, jam-packed with hostile creatures. Cougars and gray wolves were found all across the continent, and grizzly bears were populous in the western states.

Today, cougars are extinct in all of the eastern states and provinces, except Florida, and wolves and grizzlies are mainly confined to national parks and the far northwestern portions of North America. But that doesn’t mean the modern American wilderness is devoid of dangerous wildlife.