When three-year-old James Skillen went missing in Central West Australia on the evening of Saturday, March 31, his family began to worry. Luckily, the Australian toddler was only missing for a total of 18 hours, but somehow managed to cover close to three miles in his travels.
Peter McKenna, the local police chief, described James’s journey from his campsite to the nearby town of Sofala as “extraordinary.” He later stated in a press conference that, “Children of that age, when we do these searches, are generally found within 1.5km, so for him to have gotten to that 5km mark is extraordinary.”
Even more extraordinary was the fact that James navigated so far from his original location through the the rough terrain of the Australian bushland.
After James was found at 11:40 a.m. the next morning, his family, along with the search group made up of police, ambulance operators, firefighters, Volunteer Rescue Association members, and townspeople were incredibly relieved. The locals who found James said he was “safe and well” but, for some reason, was missing both shoes.
Shortly after James was found, he was brought back to his family’s campsite where his parents were eagerly awaiting his return. After a quick medical examination, emergency responders found that, aside from a few minor bumps and bruises, James was completely fine.
The most intriguing part of young James Skillen’s story is how the three-year-old attempted to hitch a ride. James’s father, Peter Skillen, told reporters, “He said he tried to jump on a kangaroo this morning because he though the kangaroo might take him home.”
While we have to admire his resourcefulness, we’re hoping that James’s parents used this mishap as an opportunity to teach their son about the potential dangers of wild animals, as well as the importance of not wandering off into the wild.
20+ Of The Most Dangerous Species On The Planet
The Earth is home to many creatures, some are cute, whereas others are not. Many animals are pretty scary, read on find out which species are the most dangerous in the world.
Portuguese Man O’ War
The Portuguese Man O’ War is mainly found in the Atlantic Ocean. The animal lives on the surface of the water and moves according to the tidal waves. Many people recognize the animal as a jellyfish, however in reality the Portuguese Man O’ War is much more dangerous. If you are stung by one of these creatures, the symptoms can include fever as well as shock. In order to counteract the symptoms, pouring salt water over the site of the sting can really help.

Fossa
Native to Madagascar, the fossa is officially the largest carnivore in the southern African country. It is also the most feared predator on the island and a hunter of small creatures like mice to medium-sized animals such as gray mouse lemur and diademed sifaka. It has also been known to feed on wild pigs. Some of the distinctive features of the Fossa include its retractable claws, as well as it’s cat-like teeth that can pierce the skin of most creatures.

Raccoon
Many people across the USA find the Raccoon and annoying pest, however the animal is also considered dangerous. This is because they carry diseases which are extremely harmful to humans. So, while attacks are rare on humans, they are definitely an animal to be avoided. The Raccoon is native to America and is found living in forested areas, however it can adapt to surrounding environments very easily. They can also hunt in pitch blackness due to their extremely sensitive hands.

Blue-Ringed Octopus
The Blue-Ringed Octopus is found in New South Wales, Western and Southern Australia. Although they are pretty small, they are one of the most dangerous marine animals in the world. They will not sting unless they are provoked, however if a human is stung, the venom that is released is powerful enough to kill.

Giant Pacific Octopus
The Giant Pacific Octopus in one of the largest octopuses on the planet. Like all octopus, the Giant Pacific Octopus has 8 arms. In case you did not know, ‘octa’ means eight. Each of the animal’s arms is lined with two rows of suckers. The octopus captures its prey with its suckers which are lined with hooks. The creature’s mouth contains a beak and tongue with teeth on it. Lucky for us, they are not known for eating humans but do feed on tiny sharks.

Hippopotamus
Even though the hippopotamus is incredibly large and has very short stubby legs, do not be mistaken, because this animal can run over 19 mph to catch its prey. Even though this dangerous creature is mostly a herbivorous mammal, it tends to also be very aggressive and territorial. So, if you do spot a hippo, please stay far far away. There is no need to provoke a 3,300-pound animal that plans to run after you and eat you for breakfast.

Lynx
The Lynx belongs to the cat family and they are usually found living in solitude. They tend to be found in forested areas across Europe and Asia. The Lynx never attack humans unless they are provoked, however if this does occur the attacks can be pretty serious. More recently, in 2014 a Lynx attacked a woman in Atlanta. She was injured and taken to hospital, however many say that this was her own fault since she wanted to feed the animal.

Vultures
Two types of Vultures exist, and both are equally as dangerous. They can be found in Africa, Asia as well as Europe. The birds are killer and will shred anything that gets in its way to pieces. They are considered deadly scavengers, however vulture attacks on humans are pretty rare. They will generally avoid humans, as long as humans do not provoke them. At times, the birds can even be seen as shy! We think we will keep away from them, just in case!

Water Monitor
The Water Monitor is an extremely large lizard that can be found in Asia. They are considered dangerous because they can swim, sprint and even climb. They are extremely powerful and strong. The Water Monitor has poisonous saliva as well as a bite that can kill. Due to hunting this lizard is thought to be going endangered, since their skin is considered valuable. However, there have been many conservation efforts across Asia to save the Water Monitor.

Vampire Bat
Bats are the only mammals that can fly, however the Vampire Bat is the only bat that feeds off of blood. They can be found across many countries of South America. The Vampire Bat is considered dangerous to humans because they carry disease, but it isn’t all bad! The saliva of the Vampire Bat may actually have some positive uses in medicine. It is thought that it may help increase the blood flow in patients that have suffered from a stroke.

Siafu Ant
Even though these guys are small, they are powerful and deadly in numbers. Don’t mess with these dangerous creatures. Siafu ants aka driver ants respond aggressively when they feel threatened or attacked. The entire swarm will come together to attack when they perceive danger. An entire swarm of Siafu ants can amount to around 50 million! When these little guys bite, they bite hard and don’t let up. Sometimes, even after their prey dies, the ant’s jaws stay clamped on the carcass.

Inland Taipan
Another snake to watch out for is the Inland Taipan. These snakes are the most poisonous snakes in the whole world. Their deadly venom and their tendency to hunt warm-blooded mammals is a dangerous combination for humans. Lucky for us, they do not usually attack unless provoked, so steer clear of these lethal creatures. Their venom is neurotoxins which affect the nervous system, hemotoxins which affect the blood, and myotoxins which affect the the muscles. If untreated, the venom can be lethal.

Assassin Bug
The Assassin bug has the most fitting name. Even though the insect is fairly small, it kills around 12,000 people each year! Interestingly enough, the bite itself is not deadly. However, the disease that the bite spreads is lethal. The bug carries a disease called Chagas which is a parasitic infection. If Chagas is left untreated, the symptoms of the disease are known to cause death. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine for the disease. Humans use sprays and paints to keep the bugs away.

African Lion
The African Lion stays near the top of the food chain for good reason! The African Lion can weigh between 265 to 420 pounds and are some of the greatest hunters in the world. The territorial cats stay in groups with other lions. These groups are known as prides and they serve to protect each other. Male lions protect the territory and the rest of the pride while the female lions hunt for food. While lions do not typically hunt for people, there have been a few rare cases of African Lions seeking out human prey.

Flower Urchin
Do not let this pretty pink flowery looking creature fool you. When touched, these flower urchins will respond with an incredibly painful sting. If a human gets stung by this type of sea urchin, he or she should seek medical attention immediately! The flower urchin, known and named for its pinkish and whitish flower-like appearance, is commonly found in the Indo-West Pacific. This urchin functions as a home for coral reef, rocky and sandy environments and seagrass beds at a depth of around 90 meters.

Clouded Leopard
Although the Clouded Leopard may be considered one of the smaller of the animals on this list, they can still pose a threat to humans. Children and younger teenagers would be particularly threatened by them. The cat is found throughout Southern Asia and China, however today the animal is endangered. Experts report that there are probably less than 10,000 of them left in the world. It is more likely that the Leopard attacks once provoked.

Piranha
The Piranha is a freshwater fish that lives in South American rivers. Piranha’s are known for their sharp teeth and extremely powerful jaws. The fish is considered dangerous towards humans and in 2011 around 100 people were injured by a Piranha. According to some studies piranha’s tend to attack more in the dry season when food is lacking and the waters are low. Most Piranha’s attack humans at the arms and legs. Splashing can also provoke the Piranha to bite.

Spectacled Caiman
The Spectacled Caiman is a crocodile that is found in parts of Southern and Central America. They are highly adaptable meaning it is able to live in both fresh and salt water. The Caiman has extremely sharp teeth, which can be dangerous to humans. This specific type of crocodile mainly eats smaller sized fish. The Caiman is heavily hunted for its skin and its meat, and although it isn’t considered endangered just yet there is a certain risk of this happening.

Gorilla
The Gorilla is the largest primate – the males can weigh up to 400 lbs, with the females weighing around 200 lbs. They are found in the forests of central Africa. Gorilla’s in general are shy and only attack if they are approached. Therefore, if humans approach the Gorilla with unexpected movements the animal can charge aggressively. However, instances where humans have been killed are rare. Today, experts believe that the Gorilla is one step away from becoming extinct.

Puffer Fish
The Pufferfish are highly toxic and is considered the most toxic vertebrate in the world. If a Pufferfish attacks a human and is not treated properly, the outcome can be fatal. The toxin can paralyze and stop a person from breathing. Often the Pufferfish can be eaten by mistake, especially in countries such as Thailand and The Philippines. The Pufferfish have four large teeth which are fused together in an upper and lower plate. Some Pufferfish can be up to 100cm in length.

Gray Wolf
Eurasia and North America is home to one of the most dangerous predators, the Gray Wolf. Even though they tend to be the size of a medium to large dog, their power comes in numbers. They are a very social animal and travel with their nuclear family consisting of the mated pair and their adult children. They have an incredible sense of smell and can smell their prey from far away. They use their keen sense of smell it to track down their prey.

Freshwater Snails
Many types of Freshwater Snails exist, but they are considered dangerous they can lay eggs within the human stomach which in turn are extremely toxic to humans. Experts believe that these Snails are more dangerous than Lions and Tigers put together! The Freshwater Snails are found in rivers and lakes. They feed off algae and are found all over the world, wherever fresh water exists. Some of the snails have gills meaning they can breathe underwater, whereas others do not and need to come to the surface for air.

Rhinoceros
Literally meaning “nose horn,” the rhinoceros is responsible for many human deaths and in many parts of the world. Don’t let the fact that it is herbivore fool you. With its thick, protective skin and large horn, the rhino can be a lethal killing machine when it needs to be. But with an abnormally small brain and poor eyesight, rhinos do have their flaws. But take nothing away from them: if they spot you, it’s nearly impossible to escape them.

Yellow Anaconda
Although the yellow anaconda isn’t as big as its relative, the green anaconda, it still regarded as one of the largest snakes in the world. The yellow anaconda will camouflage itself while stalking its prey. It will use its forked tongue in order to locate its prey, sensing its tastes and smells. Eventually, when the anaconda captures its victim, it will only take a few minutes before it squeezes every inch of life out of it.

Tsetse Fly
The Tsetse Fly is a large flies that bites and feeds on other animal’s blood. They are found all over tropical Africa. Even though their bite is not painful, the parasite the fly spreads is particularly dangerous. The parasite the Tsetse fly spreads in known as Trypanosomes which is the direct cause of African Sleeping Sickness. The sickness starts out with fevers, headaches, itchiness, and joint pains. As the weeks pass, the symptoms become more severe and can lead to death.

Stonefish
One of the most dangerous fishes on Earth is the Stonefish. They can be found in coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific. The Stonefish has the incredible ability to completely camouflage itself as a rock making it easy for swimmers to accidentally step on it. When stepped on, the Stonefish’s spine releases neurotoxins that are particularly harmful. This does not pan out well for swimmers that get inflicted with the venom. Luckily, there is one type of anti-venom that has been developed to save inflicted swimmers.

Saltwater Crocodiles
Believe it or not, but crocodiles are actually much more dangerous to humans than sharks are. Specifically, stay away from the Saltwater Crocodile. As a predator, they have everything working in their favor. These crocs are incredibly large and can grow up to 23 feet long and they weigh more than a ton! They are also very fast and ambush their prey. Then they drown their victims and can swallow them whole. Contrary to their name, Saltwater crocodiles can swim in both salt and fresh water.

Tarantula Hawk
The Tarantula Hawk is a wasp to avoid! They have one of the most painful stings of any insect on Earth. Luckily, humans do not need to worry much about this wasp as the insect prefers to focus on hunting tarantula, hence its name. However, if humans provoke the wasp, they will sting humans. Even though the sting is agonizing, it is not deadly! If stung, there is no need to seek medical attention. The pain will last for five minutes and then you can move on with your day.

Humans
This may seem like a peculiar inclusion in this list. Humans won’t stand a chance in a fight against some of the aforementioned species, but they are certainly dangerous creatures for their own unique reasons. Due to our intelligence and ingenuity, we have the skills to create weapons and tools that have helped us rise up to the top of the food chain. We are the only animal to have full scale world wars. In many ways, we are the most dangerous animals.

Africanized Honey Bee
We can blame human beings for the development of the dangerous Africanized Honey Bee. This bee, also known as the Killer Bee, was created by human and not made by nature. Humans created the bee by cross-breeding the African honey bee and various European Honey bees. The bee was made in the hopes that it would make more revenue by increasing honey production. When the new breed of bee was sent to Brazil in the 1950’s, a swarm accidentally escaped.

Mosquito
Most people think of mosquitos as very annoying creatures, but they are actually much more dangerous than just irritating. Mosquitos are known to spread diseases that kill hundreds of millions of people every year. According to the World Health Organization, close to 725,000 people each year are killed by mosquito-born diseases. Malaria, one of the more well known and dangerous diseases, has affected hundreds of millions of people. Mosquitos are also known to carry other deadly diseases like dengue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis.

Black Mamba
These deadly snakes are known to live in the savannas and rocky areas in southern and eastern Africa. Black Mambas are the fastest snakes on Earth and can slither up to 12.5 mph. Fortunately, these lethal creatures only attack when they are provoked. However, when they do attack, they will bite multiple times and release enough venom to kill up to 10 people. A new anti-venom is on the market, but it must be taken within 20 minutes of the bite!

Komodo Dragon
The Komodo Dragon doesn’t think too hard about what it wants for dinner. The reptile has been known to eat anything from birds to buffalos, even having its fair share of human. They are masterful hunters with the skill of stealthily pursuing its prey. When the time is right, they will tear out the victim’s throat and wait for it to bleed out. Despite having a varied diet though, Komodo Dragons only need to eat once a month.

Brazilian Wandering Spider
This particular spider has literally broken records. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Brazilian Wandering Spider is officially the most venomous spider on the planet. Also known as the Phoneutria Fera, the arachnid got its name for its natural tendency to wander around aimlessly. This makes them particularly dangerous, as they can literally pop up anywhere. They have been found in houses and cars, and have been spotted at practically every time of day.

Rattlesnake
The sound that a rattlesnake makes is enough to send shivers down any victim’s spine. Cunning and malicious, rattlesnakes are always poised to strike if a vulnerable creature is stranded nearby. In North America, rattlesnakes are notoriously the leading inflictor of snakebite injuries. But ultimately, they will rarely bite a human unless it feels under threat. Unlike the younger rattlesnakes, adults will develop the ability to regulate the amount of venom that they unleash when they bite their prey.

African Elephant
The African Elephant is officially the largest land animal on the planet, with the average male standing between 10 and 13ft and weighing between 10,000 and 13,000lbs. The colossus can be notoriously fierce, with the ability to run all over rhinos to their doom. African Elephants have been known to show surprisingly aggressive outbursts of rage. They have even been considered to be vindictive towards others, and there have been numerous incidents of Elephants stampeding through villages, destroying everything in its path.

Black Eagle
The Black Eagle can easily be identified by their long “fingers,” which they use to hunt mammals, birds and eggs. During the hunting process, the predator uses many methods to throw their prey off guard. A recurring technique that the black eagle will use is to fly into the sun. This is so that their prey will be unaware of the black eagle’s presence. Another strength of the black eagle is its eyesight, which is the best in the aviary world.

Sandfly
Native to Asia and the Middle the sandfly is one nasty pest. In itself, it doesn’t really pose a threat to humans. It only becomes a problem when it carries dangerous diseases such as the Leishmaniasis and Chandipura viruses.

Leishmaniasis, just to give you an idea, is found in more than 90 tropical countries. Leishmaniasis is transmitted to humans through a bite. Once the virus is in, it will start spreading and multiplying.
Sydney Funnel-Web Spider
While there are about 40 species of the Funnel-Web Spider, not all of them are dangerous. However, the male of Atrax Robustus is responsible for many serious, life-threatening bites. This spider — as you may have inferred from its name — has been introduced to Sydney, Australia.

We say it was introduced because it wasn’t native to the area. An antivenom, by the way, was invented in 1981. Many lives have been spared since its invention.
Moray Eel
Although they generally do not pose a threat to humans — since they live far from shores and mostly prey on other fish at night — it doesn’t mean that an unlucky diver, who would chance to encounter one, shouldn’t be worried.

If a moray eel bites you, this could land you in a lot of trouble. Moray eels are poisonous. Specials proteins in the blood act as toxins, which can cause human blood to clump.
Horse
It’s likely that only a few of you would think that horses deserve a spot on our list. Why would something as tamed and majestic as a horse would be considered dangerous to humans in any way? Well, a horse’s rear legs kicks are extremely powerful.

This means that they can easily break your rib cage or pretty much any other bone in your body if you get too close. Oh, and did we mention the fact that they can also bite pretty hard?
Cow
While the obvious fault lies with bulls, which can easily severely maim humans with their horns (just imagine being impaled by an angry bull), a heifer can also do a lot of damage. Cows can trample humans if they are angered or feel too threatened.

This especially happens when a cow has just given birth and it’s protective of the calf. Most of the victims are farmer workers since they always come in close contact with them.
Fire Ants
Although these little creatures normally require nothing other than a short trip to the school nurse in case you were bitten by them, in some rare cases, one can develop a severe allergic reaction which could be life-threatening.

Also, since fire ants’ venom has a high concentration of toxins, their bites can cause serious skin swellings or pustules. These can get infected, thus causing further complications that would require medical attention.
Hornet
Generally speaking, the chances of getting stung by a hornet are pretty low, since they normally don’t attack humans, unless provoked. However, if you do get stung by a hornet this could end badly for you.

Hornets have a relatively large amount of venom, considering their size. Recently, the Giant Asian Hornet made the headlines since its venom is considered to be extremely dangerous to humans. It can cause severe damage to tissues and the nervous system.
Tiger
We guess that this one is just stating the obvious. We would expect nothing less from these impressive animals. These massive creatures are all muscle and bone.

As natural predators, they are indeed extremely dangerous. They’re ranked fifth on the list of the world’s deadliest mammals. These animals would typically avoid people, but in case they feel threatened they would certainly attack. This would normally happen if you come close to their cubs.
Pig
This may be surprising but apparently, your food can ultimately end up eating you. This is indeed gruesome and very disturbing. But, there have been reports over the years of cases in which pig farmers were attacked and even eaten by their own livestock.

Unlike what you may think, pigs are very intelligent and can be vicious and vindictive if provoked. So, maybe you shouldn’t eat those pork chops after all.
Cassowary
The Cassowary is a flightless bird, native to the tropical forests of Papua Guinea, Indonesia, the Aru Islands, and Australia. The bird feeds on fruit, although some species in the family are omnivores and will feed on small animals too.

These birds generally don’t present a threat to humans, but they can actually be very dangerous. If they are provoked, they can inflict some serious and sometimes fatal injuries to humans.
Stingray
Stingrays are one of the oldest fish species as they have roamed the oceans for about 100 million years. Generally speaking, they’re not considered to be dangerous to humans since they mostly prey on small fish. However, overall, there have been only 17 fatal incidents involving stingrays and humans over the years.

They will not attack a human intentionally unless they feel threatened by it. Also, stay away from the barb (the long strip of flesh that looks like a tale), it usually contains venom.
Grizzly Bear
This bear, which is actually a subspecies of the American Brown Bear, is very prevalent in the Northern parts of the United States. It’s also known as the North American Brown Bear.

There is no doubt that this is a very dangerous mammal that could pose a very serious threat to humans. These bears are fast-moving, equipped with massive claws and sharp fangs. What’s really scary is their bite which can even crush a bowling bowl.
American Black Bear
As it’s possible to infer from its name, this type of bear is prevalent in North America and Canada. It’s considered to be a lot more aggressive than its brown counterpart.

However, it usually won’t attack humans. It will make a mock attempt to attack but only to chase or scare humans away. Between 1900 and 1980, there were only 23 fatal incidents involving black bears and humans.
Coastal Taipan
Considered to be the second-longest venomous snake in Australia, the Coastal Taipan is not something you’d want to encounter while strolling along the beach. It’s also considered to be the third most venomous terrestrial snake in the world.

These snakes are very “nervous” and any movement around them would trigger an attack. It is native to the coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia. An antivenom, however, was developed in the mid-1950s.
Mulga Snake
This snake is native to the southern and northern parts of Australia. Whenever the snake feels threatened it will act similarly to a cobra. It will hold and flatten its neck in a curved parallel to the ground and throw its neck from side to side, while hissing.

Ultimately, it will also attempt to bite. The Mugla will bite terribly. It will sink in its fangs and release large quantities of venom.
Cape Buffalo
The Cape Buffalo, which also known as the African Buffalo, is found in Southern and Eastern Africa. They are extremely dangerous due to their erratic and unpredictable nature. Many estimate that they attack around 200 people every year. These buffalo live in a herd, and are widely recognized for their horns. The animal is closely related to the Water Buffalo and is six feet long and weigh nearly a ton. The buffalo is also well renowned for being a fantastic hunter.

Polar Bear
Many people think of polar bears as adorable and cuddly teddy bears, but they are not! They are actually very dangerous and are also the most carnivorous species in the bear family. Plus, they are huge and can weigh up to 1,750 pounds! They are also more likely to attack humans than many other types of bears. Luckily, they live in the Arctic and most humans do not tend to venture into that part of the world. Also, they prefer eating seals over eating humans.

King Cobra
The King Cobra has a reputation for being dangerous and for good reason. They are the world’s longest and most venomous snakes. Typically, the King Cobra calls India and other parts of Southeast Asia its home. The dangerous snake uses its poisonous venom to attack its prey’s nervous system. As a result, the victim experiences pain, vertigo and eventually paralysis! Sometimes the victims can die as quickly as 30 minutes after a bite. King Cobras can even kill animals as large as elephants!

Pufferfish
These strange looking and fascinating creatures known as Pufferfish are found in tropical seas all over the world. Interestingly, they are the second most poisonous vertebrate on Earth! They use their extremely toxic poison, called tetrodotoxin, to kill their prey. Their poison is found in the fish’s skin, muscle tissue, liver, kidneys, and gonads. Shockingly, the pufferfish’s poison is over 1,000 times more poisonous than cyanide. Strangely enough, some chefs if Japan are able to cook the pufferfish. Some eat it as a delicacy.

Box Jellyfish
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the box jellyfish is one of the most dangerous marine animals in the world. These threatening fish are found in the Indo-Pacific waters north of Australia. The scary part about the box jellyfish is that they are almost invisible! They also have up to 15 tentacles. Each tentacle grows up to 10 feet long and each tentacle is lined with stingers that contain toxins. These dangerous toxins attack the heart, nervous system and skin cells. Most victims drown after being stung.

Hyena
Even though many people think Hyenas are not intelligent animals from how they were portrayed on The Lion King, they are actually incredibly smart mammals. Not only are they bright animals, they can weigh up to 190 pounds and they have a powerful bite that can break bones! Even though they tend to stay away from people, if they perceive the human as hurt or incapacitated, they will take advantage of the situation. Hyenas work together to hunt and kill their prey making them even more dangerous!

Bullet Ant
These bullet ants are much more than a pesky insect. The bullet ant is known for its powerful and lethal sting. According to the Schmidt sting pain index, the bullet ant sting is even more painful than the tarantula hawk wasp. Not only in the sting insanely painful, it attacks the central nervous system and can cause paralysis! The bullet ant is found in humid lowland rainforests in parts of South America. Just one bite from the bullet ant could incapacitate a full grown man.

Nurse Shark
The Nurse Shark can be found along the tropical waters of the planet. Interestingly, this shark takes shelter in the day and comes alive at night. The huge animal feeds on small fish and can grow up to 30cm long. The shark can even birth up to 30 babies in a lifetime. The shark is considered dangerous because of their very strong and sharp teeth. They will attack when provoked, meaning many divers have been injured because of them.

Leopard Seal
The Leopard Seal is the second largest seal in the world, and while the animal looks rather cute it is anything but. The front teeth of the Leopard Seal are extremely sharp and is actually considered the most dangerous animal in the waters, after the Killer Whale. Although the seal is considered extremely dangerous, attacks on humans are pretty rare. The last known deadly attack was in 2003 when a female biologist was attacked while she was snorkeling. We hope that is the last attack for a long time!

Sidewinder
Many people have a fear of snakes – and perhaps the Sidewinder is one of the reasons why. Also known as the Rattlesnake, they are venomous, although less so than other snakes. This is because their glands are much smaller than that of other snakes. However, if a human is bitten by one it should be taken extremely seriously. Many people ignore the signs after being bitten by one, as the bite apparently feels nothing more than a small pin prick.

Boomslang
The Boomslang is also another large snake that makes our list. The Boomslang is also venomous and dangerous if humans are bitten. However, the snake is only found in Sub – Saharan Africa. In 1957 Karl Schmidt was bitten and subsequently died after being bitten by a Boomslang. Schmidt’s downfall was underestimating the power of the snake’s poison. Since this incident there have been no other recorded fatalities because of this snake. Interestingly, for any Harry Potter fans, Boomslang skin is used in making Polyjuice potion.

Tokay Gecko
The Tokay Gecko is a colorful lizard with a fierce nature. Its name alludes to the noise it makes, which sounds eerily like its name – “to-kay.” The Tokay has a tendency to be territorial, being known to attack fellow Tokays and any other intruders. A tokay’s standard diet consists of insects and small vertebrates. With a strong bite, tokays can snap through the exoskeletons of insects that live in rainforests. Its strong bite puts off people from owning them as pets.

Giant Otter
What makes the giant otter particularly dangerous is their absolute fearlessness. The carnivorous mammal is able to hunt alone or in a group, with the ability to coordinate efficiently. With a coat of dense fur, a winged tail and webbed feet, the giant otter particularly well suited to an amphibious lifestyle. Fish, including cichilds, characins and catfish is the main staple of the animal’s diet, and a giant otter may eat six to nine pounds worth of fish every day.

Dogs
Even though dogs are known to be “man’s best friend,” some dogs are very dangerous! This is usually due to rabies which has been well contained in North America and Western Europe. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, around 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year. Luckily, most dog bites do not spread rabies in the U.S. Unfortunately, in India where there is a high rate of stray dogs, almost 20,000 people dies every year from rabies.

Deathstalker
Scorpions are feared by many humans, and the Deathstalker is probably one of the most dangerous types. Found in the Middle East and North Africa, although its venom would be highly dangerous and extremely painful, it would not kill a healthy human being. However, if a child is stung the venom is much more powerful and could kill. The Deathstalker is yellow in color which may mean that it is more difficult to find while out in the wild.

Great White Shark
The relationship between Great White Sharks and humans is a complicated one. Humans have been attacked by this animal more than any other in the world. The huge marine mammal is found in nearly every ocean on the planet. The Great White Shark can live to over 70 years old, with marine biologists estimating that they are the longest lived fish. However, many are concerned that the Great White Shark is going extinct, for their numbers have been on the decline since the 1970s.

Chameleon
Primarily insectivores, Chameleons are dangerous due to their incredible ability to change color in order to blend in to their surroundings. Behaviorally speaking, Chameleons are feisty and won’t give easily when engaged in a fight. With a 360-degree vision and one of the fastest, most elastic tongues in the food chain, Chameleons have plenty of tools to pose a threat to many adversaries. and although their eyes are independently mobile, they can focus can them forward in unison, if they need to concentrate on their prey.

Cone Snail
Even though the Cone Snail is wrapped in a beautiful shell, do not touch it if you see one! These adorable but deadly animals can be found in warm shallow waters near the equator. The snail has harpoon-like teeth that can bite anything that touches it. Once bitten, the snails release a venom called conotoxin. The toxin can do serious damage to your nerve cells and can even cause paralysis. Unfortunately, there is no antivenin on the markets yet.

Saw-Scaled Viper
The Saw-Scaled Viper is one snake that people need to steer clear from. These snakes kill more people than any other snake each year. Even though this viper does not grow to be more than 1-3 feet long, the snake’s venomous bite can kill. The viper’s venom contains hemotoxins and cytotoxins. These toxins can cause the body to develop bleeding disorders which can lead to an intracranial hemorrhage. Sadly, most of the Saw-Scaled Vipers are found in areas without modern medicine so people that are bitten often suffer long and painful deaths.

Golden Poison Dart Frog
Do not let the size of these little frogs mislead you. This tiny paperclip sized Golden Poison Dart Frogs are incredibly dangerous and can be found on Colombia’s Pacific coast. These cute looking amphibians have enough poison to kill 10 grown men. Watch out for the Golden Poison Dart Frogs because it only takes two micrograms to end the life of one person. Two micrograms are enough liquid to fit onto the head of a pin. One touch can kill you!

Humboldt Squid
The Humboldt Squid is located in the Pacific Ocean and is the largest of the Squid family. They can weigh up to an astonishing 50kg. It is thought that the Humboldt Squid is particularly aggressive towards humans when they are feeding. Evidence also exists that the Squid become more aggressive towards divers who have flashing lights as well as diving gear. Therefore, it is advised that divers keep away from them. However, the Humboldt Squid has also exhibiting sings of intelligence and are also curious creatures.

Tarsier
The Tarsier might look cute, but its in fact dangerous. It’s bite is venomous and can cause some humans to go into an anaphylactic shock. This species is found in parts of Asia and is incredibly small. They have strong hearing and are quite cunning – they wait silently for their prey. They show less activity in the daytime and are considered nocturnal creatures. Today, the Trasier is considered an endangered species and is extinct in some parts of the world.

Tapeworm
Despite being tiny and unassuming, the tapeworm is the custodian of an infection by the name of cysticerosis. This can lead to abdominal pains, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Humans are easily subject this infection if they are to eat uncooked meats such as pork, beef or fish, and the nasty parasite kills up to approximately 700 people each year. Also known as Cestoda, the most dangerous thing about tapeworms is that they can utilize a host for years before displaying any type of symptoms.
