Hippopotamus
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With crocodiles and lions getting all the publicity and acclaim, hippos are often overlooked. Hippos kill roughly 500 people a year — the most of any big animal in Africa — thanks in large part to their incredible jaw strength. Trailing only crocodiles, a hippo’s force of 2,000 PSI is unmatched by any other species. They’re fast, massive, and sport huge tusks. Though they are vegetarians, civilians aren’t safe in their presence.
Lion
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The undisputed King of the Jungle. Blessed with powerful jaws, dagger-like claws, incredible bursts of speed, and a top-notch ability to hunt, it is clear why the species earned the apropos nickname. Lions don’t kill as many people a year as hippos, but they harm their fair share. Also, who wouldn’t be intimidated by a lion’s roar?
Hyenas
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Mostly known to the mainstream audience as a pack of cackling dogs, hyenas, in reality, are no joke. Although they aren’t a huge threat to humans, hyenas are still incredibly dangerous. Hyenas sport one of the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom — equal to that of a gorilla or a polar bear. Their proclivity to hunt in packs also adds to their frightening ability.
Black Mamba
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Despite our temptation to add a side-by-side image of Kobe Bryant and the actual black mamba, we can not undersell this snake’s seriousness. The black mamba is both incredibly venomous and quick — reaching a top speed of 12.5 mph. The mamba’s venom is an amalgam of neurotoxins and cardiotoxins. As such, it’s considered the world’s deadliest snake for a reason. One bite has enough strength to kill upwards of 10 people.
Ascaris Worm
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People are generally aware of tapeworms and roundworms, but not everybody has a grasp of their danger. In this case, the Ascarias Worm is a lethal killer. The roundworm does its damage by infecting the host’s small intestine. According to the WHO, the Ascarias Worm kills an average of 2,500 people per year.
Estuarine Crocodiles
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Supposedly, vicious estuarine crocodiles are the most likely reptiles to snack on a human. While the largest crocodile usually approaches a length of 18 feet, some have been known to approach 25 feet. In addition to having a tail capable of killing any prey, this crocodile has the strongest bite of any animal on the planet. Sporting a 4,000 PSI bite, it is scary to think its ancestor had a bite nearly five times stronger.
Freshwater Snails
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So innocent looking, who would ever think a snail would be so dangerous? It might not be a bad idea to think twice before putting a few of these guys into your kids’ aquarium. The snails carry parasitic worms which are capable of infecting humans with schistosomiasis — a disease that comes with abdominal pain, blood in the urine, and potentially death. An estimated 20,000-200,000 people die per year from this creature.
Great White Shark
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The ocean’s apex predator, great white sharks have gotten a raw deal since Jaws graced our screens. There is no denying the animal’s ferocious attributes or killer prowess when it comes to other aquatic mates, but they aren’t nearly the threat to humans as they’re made out to be. With that said, it is still not smart to get near these guys. With razor-like teeth, a keen hunting ability, and blistering speed, there is no escaping a great white’s attack. If this list were simply based on fear factor, this beautiful specimen would surely top them all.
Mosquito
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Not one person is okay with a mosquito. The flying deathtrap carries, among other things, malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. The mosquito poses a threat to more people than any other species and is responsible for close to one million deaths per year.
Tsetse Fly
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Before we get into the details of these nuisances, there is some good news. The World Health Organization is hopeful that the disease carried by the tsetse fly may be eliminated soon. So, why are these little flies so dangerous? They possess trypanosomes — the parasites responsible for the African Sleeping Sickness. Roughly 10,000 new cases are reported each year across Africa.
Boomslang Snake
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Between black mambas and boomslangs, it is clear that snakes are not to be messed with. The boomslang is particularly dangerous due to its hemotoxin venom. What makes the boomslang unique is the way its mouth opens when attacking. Its jaws open close to 180°, and deliver the venom through fangs in the back of its jaw. The venom is known to cause hemorrhaging, and internal and external bleeding (all leading to one painful way to go out).
Polar Bear
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The largest carnivore in the world, polar bears are powerful animals. Due to the lack of threats surrounding them, polar bears aren’t known to be overly aggressive animals. Though should they need to unleash their power, they are incredibly dangerous. With massive paws and the most powerful bite of any bear (including grizzlies), the polar bear is as ferocious of a predator as they come.
Africanized Honey Bees
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Any animal that can travel in a group is immediately more threatening. When that animal is capable of stinging you and putting venom into your body, it is downright dangerous. The Africanized honey bee, aka killer bee, exists due to experimental cross-breeding. The results haven’t been great. They are quick and vicious. There are over 1,000 known human deaths due to attacks. In addition to humans being at risk, these killer bees have been known to take down animals as large as horses.
Stonefish
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One of the ugliest animals out there, the stonefish is also a master of disguise. As evidenced by its name, to the naked eye a stonefish appears to look like a rock on the ocean floor. If you are unfortunate enough to step on one, the stonefish’s poison is potent enough to cause paralysis and death.
Deathstalker Scorpion
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It’s fitting that an animal with such a deadly name is also the most dangerous scorpion on the planet. The deathstalker’s venom is comprised of four different neurotoxins. While the sting isn’t usually enough to kill a healthy adult, children and the elderly are at serious risk. Aside from its venom, what sets the deathstalker apart is its ability to whip its stinger at lightning speed. Its victims won’t even know what hit them.
Cone Snail
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If you learn one lesson today, it should be to avoid touching snails that live in water. Unlike freshwater snails that have parasitic worms, the cone snail features a harpoon-like tooth that is capable of paralyzing and killing its prey. The cone snail produces fast-acting venom that will quickly neutralize its victim. While the smaller species don’t pose much of a threat to humans, the larger cone snails are capable of causing fatalities.
Indian Cobra
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One of the most recognizable animals in the world, the Indian cobra is a hellish creature. The cobra’s venom can kill a human within as few as 15 minutes. One bite can lead to cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. With some cobras reaching seven feet in length, it is easy to see why they cause so much damage.
Blowfish
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These guys may look cute and cuddly when they are deflated. As soon as they puff up, however, it is clear they are no joke. Commonly known as pufferfish, the blowfish is among the most poisonous animals in the world. The poison is roughly 100 times more lethal than cyanide — with one individual puffer capable of killing upwards of 30 adults. These guys are so deadly that an ill-prepared meal can result in a person passing away.
Box Jellyfish
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With more than 50 known species of box jellyfish existing around the world, this animal is as dangerous as they come. They move quicker than any other jellyfish, their tentacles can reach 10 feet in length and are frequently billed as the most venomous animal around. It is assumed that 100+ people die each year due to box jellyfish stings. With that being said, wet suits are proven to be a deterrent to the stings (so suit up before jumping in the water).
Golden Poison Dart Frog
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One of the world’s most beautiful creatures is also its most dangerous. Poison dart frogs are tiny. Weighing roughly one ounce and reaching about two inches in length, dart frogs can kill you without you even knowing what happened. The most poisonous of them all is the golden dart frog. This golden creature has enough poison to kill 10 adults. Making the frog even more dangerous, its poison can be transferred just by touching a person. If you accidentally touch one, or it lands on you for even one second, you can be poisoned. Beautiful, but deadly.
