I walk in a different neighborhood and pass a house that has a garage. However, instead of the traditional sliding garage door, there is 6-foot fencing to which is attached a red sign with white lettering: “Beware of Dangerous Animal.” My spine starts to tingle and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. What is this dangerous animal? And why would people keep one in their garage? Behind the privacy fencing, I imagine a hairy monster with giant teeth and piercing claws, one that would surely enjoy a 70-year-old female as a snack. I sprint down the sidewalk, glad to be out of sight of the behemoth.
According to Marina Nazario’s April 23, 2020 article “The Most Dangerous Animals on Earth” in Far & Wide, below are a few examples.
1. Mosquito
Humans Killed Per Year: Different sources report anywhere from 725,000 to 1 million
Where They Can Be Found: Any environment, except for extremely cold weather
Notable Features: Small insects with long bodies, legs and antennae
What Make Them So Dangerous
You may want to douse yourself in bug repellent after reading this. Mosquitos are responsible for more than 830,000 deaths per year. And, unfortunately, that makes sense. Mosquitos not only leave an itchy bite, but they are also carriers of illnesses and diseases, including Zika, malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile and yellow fever — all of which are fatal.
But let’s lighten this up a little bit! The best thing you can do to avoid a mosquito bite? Wear the smelly mosquito repellent (DEET is the strongest) and decorate your home with citronella candles for a romantic, protective touch.
2. Snake
Humans Killed Per Year: Different sources report anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000
Where They Can Be Found: Every continent except Antarctica
Notable Features: Each species has different features that mark them as poisonous, such as color patterns, head shape, rattle and pupil shape.
What Make Them So Dangerous
People either love snakes or hate them. There’s no in-between. Snakes kill about 100,000 humans every year, and they attack in a variety of ways. According to the World Health Organization, 600 of the 3,000 species of snakes are venomous. Some of the most dangerous snakes live alongside people in areas where access to anti-venom and medical care is limited — such as India. Other snakes — such as pythons or anacondas — will simply squeeze and crush you to death. Oh, and all the cobra has to do is spit venom on your face to kill you.
3. Dog
Humans Killed Per Year: About 25,000 to 30,000
Where They Can Be Found: Worldwide
Notable Features: Dogs with rabies are usually foaming at the mouth.
What Make Them So Dangerous
Think twice about cuddling with Spike, as he’s the third-deadliest animal in the world. Dogs infected with rabies are the ones who generally kill humans. The World Health Organization reports that dogs contribute to 99 percent of all rabies transmissions to humans. A vaccine prevents rabies, yet most of the deaths happen in rural areas of Asia, Africa or South America, where the vaccine is not always accessible.
4. Freshwater Snail
Humans Killed Per Year: Between 10,000 and 20,000
Where They Can Be Found: Africa, Asia and South America
Notable Features: While you might not see the little snail, it’s the size of a quarter with a pinkish brown shell.
What Make Them So Dangerous
Death by snail is no way to die. No, they won’t catch you or touch you, but they are responsible for transmitting Schistosomiasis, a disease that infects the urinary tract and intestines. The disease spreads by contact with freshwater that’s been contaminated with parasites released by the freshwater snails. The condition is most common in developing countries where people use unclean water for daily living.
5. Assasin Bug
Humans Killed Per Year: About 10,000 to 12,000
Where They Can Be Found: North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa
Notable Features: A flat body with red and orange markings
What Make Them So Dangerous
As the name implies, an assassin bug kills. It bites your skin, sucks your blood and transmits Chagas disease, which causes infection and inflammation of human tissues. The assassin bug is ruthless to other insects as well. After it sucks its prey dry, the bug attaches the entire corpse to its back and walks around with it as a protective shield. That’s some sinister stuff!
6. Tsetse Fly
Humans Killed Per Year: 10,000
Where They Can Be Found: Rural parts of Africa
Notable Features: Typical fly features with a yellowish-brown coloring
What Make Them So Dangerous
A bite from a tsetse fly —pronounced set-si fly — is, to put it simply, unpleasant. The fly saws into your skin, transmits a disease called African trypanosomiasis — or sleeping sickness — and continues on its way.
Symptoms begin with a fever and headache and continue until the infected person becomes increasingly tired and eventually dies.
7. Ascaris Roundworm
Humans Killed Per Year: 2,500
Where They Can Be Found: Worldwide, particularly in warm, humid climates
Notable Features: Looks like a noodle and is about 12 inches in length
What Make Them So Dangerous
Ascaris roundworms are parasitic worms that cause an infection of the small intestine. Humans can get infected with roundworms by ingesting infective eggs. Infection happens when contaminated hands are put in the mouth or by consuming raw produce that has not been washed, cooked or peeled.
Deaths from Ascaris roundworm are more common in areas that have ineffective sewage disposal systems.
8. Crocodile
Humans Killed Per Year: 1,000
Where They Can Be Found: Australia, Asia, Africa and the Americas
Notable Features: A long body with thick scales and bony plates
What Make Them So Dangerous
Crocodiles look as vicious as they are. These dinosaur-like reptiles are the eighth-deadliest animal in the world, killing about 1,000 humans each year. Of the 27 crocodile species, seven are extremely dangerous to humans. Crocodiles are native to tropical areas of Australia, Africa, Asia and the Americas, but most human deaths occur in remote regions of Africa. The Nile crocodile takes the crown for being the most dangerous, as it’s responsible for more than 300 fatal attacks on people each year.
9. Tapeworm
Humans Killed Per Year: 700
Where They Can Be Found: Worldwide, although risk factors include exposure to livestock, travel to developing countries and living in endemic areas
Notable Features: You won’t see it if ingested, but the parasite is flat like a ribbon and can grow to be about 30 feet long.
What Make Them So Dangerous
This small but mighty parasite is one of the world’s deadliest animals because it transmits infections called cysticerosis or taeniasis. Humans get tapeworm by eating raw or undercooked beef or pork. Tapeworms are a silent killer, as the symptoms are usually mild or nonexistent. Eventually, this parasite causes organ function disruption, seizures, nervous system impairment and digestive block.
10. Hippopotamus
Humans Killed Per Year: 500
Where They Can Be Found: Africa
Notable Features: Other than a large barrel body, it has a big mouth with large teeth and tusks.
What Make Them So Dangerous
Hippos are extremely aggressive and territorial animals. If threatened on land, hippos can match a human’s speed and kill them. They spend about 16 hours a day in the water and only leave the water to eat.
Hippos consume about 80 pounds of grass a day and weigh about 3,000 to 8,000 pounds!
11. Elephant
Humans Killed Per Year: 500
Where They Can Be Found: Africa and Asia
Notable Features: A long trunk, big floppy ears and is 10 feet in height
What Make Them So Dangerous
As with most animals, elephants attack when provoked. They’re usually gentle giants trying to enjoy green leaves and bananas, so just don’t bother these guys when they’re eating!
While elephants kill about 500 humans each year, about 100 elephants are killed each day by poachers.
12. Lion
Humans Killed Per Year: About 250
Where They Can Be Found: Africa and India
Notable Features: Sharp teeth and a big mane of hair
What Make Them So Dangerous
The king of the jungle is a lazy predator, yet they’re responsible for about 250 human deaths per year — although this number varies. Lions sleep about 20 hours each day. However, if a human encounters a lion, it’s game over. The worst thing you can do is run or faint.
Lions’ biggest weapons are their speed, sharp teeth and the pack. FYI, never turn your back on a lion, or they’ll pounce.
13. African Cape Buffalo
Humans Killed Per Year: 200
Where They Can Be Found: Africa
Notable Features: Long thick horns
What Make Them So Dangerous
The African Cape Buffalo may have horns that look like an 18th-century British wig, but that’s what makes them so dangerous. Because of their luxurious horns and being part of the African Big Five, they’re subject to hunters. Cape Buffalos are called “Black Death” because they’re an aggressive animal when wounded. In the instance of being hunted, the herd turns into a mob and charges at speeds of 35 miles per hour.
14. Deer
Humans Killed Per Year: 100+
Where They Can Be Found: North America
Notable Features: Antlers
What Make Them So Dangerous
Now, you may be wondering why Bambi is so dangerous. Well, he’s responsible for more than 100 human deaths per year due to car accidents. While it’s not a vicious attack, it still makes deer dangerous — especially to drivers at night. So, why do deer freeze in the middle of the road when a car is coming at them? Photoreceptors in their retinas make them freeze when looking directly at headlights. If you’re about to hit a deer, honk, don’t swerve, brake and stay in your lane.
15. Bee
Humans Killed Per Year: About 100
Where They Can Be Found: Worldwide
Notable Features: Black-and-yellow-striped body with a stinger in its anterior
What Make Them So Dangerous
We often tense up when we see or hear a bee buzzing around. Rather than swat at it, let it go away on its own. Bees are responsible for killing about 100 people each year, with bee sting deaths in the U.S. rising every year. Death is often due to an allergic reaction to the bee sting. About 80 percent of those who die of a bee, wasp or hornet sting are men, according to the CDC.
16. Scorpion
Humans Killed Per Year: Anywhere from 10 to 1,000
Where They Can Be Found: Every continent except Antarctica
Notable Features: Two pinchers and a long tail that curls over its body
What Make Them So Dangerous
You don’t need to tell us to fear scorpions. The thought of their curled tails and pinchers makes us shudder. Scorpions are technically arachnids, like spiders, with eight legs and two central body regions. There are about 30 to 40 scorpion species that can kill you.
Scorpions are usually found in deserts but have been spotted in rainforests and the Himalayas. While all scorpions are dangerous, the one you need to look out for is the yellow deathstalker. This killer is the most venomous scorpion and lives in the deserts of the Middle East. Scorpions are survivors, as they’ve been around for millions of years.
17. Jellyfish
Humans Killed Per Year: 40+
Where They Can Be Found: Every ocean
Notable Features: Long tentacles
What Make Them So Dangerous
Jellyfish may not have brains, but they can kill. There are about 2,000 different types of jellyfish, about 70 of which can hurt you. For instance, the box jellyfish is a vicious killer lurking in tropical seas. It strikes with a harmful venom that causes headaches, vomiting, rapid heartbeat and pulmonary edema. It’s estimated that the box jellyfish account for 20 to 40 deaths each year in the Philippines alone.
18. Tiger
Humans Killed Per Year: About 40-50
Where They Can Be Found: Asia
Notable Features: Orange and black stripes
What Make Them So Dangerous
If we learned anything from “Tiger King,” it’s that there are about 3,900 tigers left in the wild. There are more than 5,000 tigers in captivity within the United States!
Most of the wild tigers live in India. Tiger attacks are rare, as they don’t deliberately kill humans. Yet they kill about 40 to 50 people each year. Tiger attacks are a problem in India, as a large population impedes on their natural habitat.
19. Hornet
Humans Killed Per Year: About 30-50
Where They Can Be Found: Europe, Africa and North America, but the giant hornet is in Asia
Notable Features: The Asian giant hornet is about 1.5 inches in length.
What Make Them So Dangerous
Deaths from a hornet sting are usually grouped with wasp and bee stings. But in China and Japan, something called an Asian giant hornet is a killer. As its name implies, giant hornets are, well, giant. They’re roughly the size of a human thumb and usually invade schools or farm workers. There are an estimated 30 to 50 deaths each year in Japan from hornet attacks. Most deaths are due to an allergic reaction to the sting.
20. Ant
Humans Killed Per Year: About 20-50
Where They Can Be Found: Around the world, but most commonly found in the southeastern United States
Notable Features: Fire ants are usually a light brownish-red, but their aggressiveness is their most striking difference to regular ants.
What Make Them So Dangerous
Don’t underestimate ants. There are about 12,000 species, and they all come with personality. There are 280 fire ant species around the world, and a sting from one of these killers may cause fatal anaphylaxis to people who have an allergic reaction. But most people won’t react that way. A fire ant bite is noticeable, as it starts to itch immediately and then turns into a red welt.
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