The 13 most dangerous animals in the world

Nature, although wonderful, can be a hostile place for those who inhabit it.. Both for food and defense, the most dangerous animals in the world are many and it is difficult to create a ranking where everyone can be.

What is meant by dangerous? Whether due to their natural weapons, their poison or their aggressive nature, this list includes animals that can pose a threat, both to humans and to other species. This does not mean in any case that they harbor evil, but it does mean that it is advisable to get out of their way.

In this list you will discover that size and appearance have nothing to do with the potential to harm those who bother these animals – or whoever is part of their diet. If you want to know them better, keep reading.

The most dangerous animals in the world

Any wild animal can be dangerous to humans, since you rarely know when they are feeling threatened or you may be bothering them. Although coming face to face with one of them is an almost magical experience, it is best to leave them alone and watch them from afar. Here you will find out why.

1. Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard in the world. It can reach 3 meters in length and up to 160 kilograms in weight. It is also a very fast reptile, reaching a running speed of up to 25 kilometers per hour.

The mouth of a Komodo dragon secretes a hemotoxic poison that produces gangrene and continuous bleeding. Together with the bacteria it harbors (since it can eat decomposing meat), this causes progressive weakening in its victim. Therefore, the dragon only has to take a quick bite of its prey and then follow it to the place of its death.

2. Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia)

The poison of this hymenoptera insect It can be fatal if several bites occur at the same time on the same human being.. In fact, in Nagano (Japan) it has become a real problem.

Asian giant hornets carry stingers that inoculate a cocktail of cytotoxic and neurotoxic substances that cause tissue damage and great pain.

3. King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

In general, snakes need to be aggressive in order to eat. However, the case of the king cobra or king cobra It is special: it is ophiophagous, that is, other snakes are present in its diet (even those of its own species). Obviously, to hunt snakes you cannot be docile.

4. Arrow frog (Dendrobates)

Frogs in this family secrete an extremely potent poison through their skin. If it enters the organism in some way—through predation or through a breach in the skin, for example—it is capable of killing animals much larger than a human.

The indigenous people who share space with these anurans are well aware of the effects of their toxins: their nickname, arrow frog, comes from the hunters’ custom of impregnating arrows with this poison. This way, you don’t have to be so precise in your launch to achieve your goal.

5. Blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata)

Despite measuring no more than 10 centimeters, this cephalopod is distinguished by the luminous blue rings that cover its body. It can be found in the tropical waters of the western Indo-Pacific.

Blue-ringed octopus saliva can cause severe nausea, loss of speech, a blue coloration in the extremities and internal bleeding in humans.

6. Yellow Palestinian scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus)

This arachnid is the most venomous species of scorpion that exists. The poison they inoculate is a powerful cocktail of neurotoxins that produces extreme pain, but is not fatal – except in cases such as small children or people with heart problems. There is also a risk of anaphylactic reactions.

7. Sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri)

This jellyfish concentrates on Australian coasts during the summer months to reproduce. Its tentacles can extend more than 2 meters and its cnidocytes – the cells that inoculate the poison – They have enough toxins to kill 60 adult humans.. It is a neurotoxic poison that progressively paralyzes the body until it causes cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.

8. The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

These crocodiles They are the only ones capable of living in fresh and salt water, so they can be found in seas, estuaries and rivers. In addition, they are the largest species of reptile on the planet, since an adult specimen can reach 7 meters and weigh more than 1000 kilos.

They are one of the most dangerous animals in the world, which stalk their prey patiently submerged in the water. Its incredible speed and powerful bite makes it impossible to escape its ambush. Australian authorities prohibit bathing in certain parts of the island due to the danger they pose.

9. Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

Despite being herbivores and weighing about 500 kilograms on average, hippos compete in aggressiveness with predators such as lions and crocodiles. It is a solitary and extremely territorial animal, as it needs large amounts of food per day and is responsible for clearing its area of ​​crocodiles, alligators or other animals that approach the shore by force.

10. Ratel (Mellivora capensis)

The life habits of mustelids make them one of the most dangerous groups of animals that exist. The ratel or honey badger is one of the best known of the group, as it has jaws capable of piercing the shell of a turtle, In addition to standing out for their taste for attacking hives to eat the honey.

11. Lionfish (Pterois)

The genus of lionfish includes 9 different species. The effect of its venom is inotropic – which affects muscle contractility – and chronotropic – which alters the heart rate. This animal injects toxins through its dorsal spines.

12. Piranhas (Pygocentrus)

Although they are one of the most dangerous animals that exist, movies have shown misleading behavior of piranhas. Attacks occur when they smell blood in the water or there is an open wound, and in the first place a single piranha, called the lookout, comes. If this specimen returns to the group safe and sound, then they will all come to eat voraciously.

13. The human being (Homo sapiens sapiens)

The human being could not be missing from this list. Directly responsible for the loss of the planet’s biological diversity, the depletion of resources and the destruction of ecosystems, There is talk that we are heading towards sixth mass extinction.

There are many other dangerous animals. The impact they have, however, does not alter the ecosystem in which they live – unlike ours – but is a mere tool to enhance their survival. Not disturbing them in their habitat is always the best option.

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