1. Boomslang
The Boomslang is a snake that is primarily found in the South African area, but has been known to make its rounds throughout the African continent. It is one of the deadliest snakes in the world for a couple of reasons.
As you can see from the pic above, the fangs on this guy are big, and this is uncommon among the Boomslang’s species. The eyes are also interesting. In fact, they have better eyesight than most snakes. Some say its eyesight is as good as a normal human being.
As most people know, snakes don’t typically have the best eyesight. The Boomslang breaks that trend in a major way. They have been known to pick birds right out of the air due to their tremendous sight.
A human has no chance of escaping a bite if the Boomslang chooses to attack them. They usually don’t go after humans, but will when threatened. Many of them are green and brown, so they blend in well with the wooded environment in which they thrive.
Boomslangs contain a Hemotoxin venom that, when injected, can kill within hours. A person will literally bleed from the inside out. You will bleed from every hole in the body. You’ll even bleed from the ears, eyes, and penis/vagina.
The deadliest part of the whole thing is that the only place in South Africa that has the Antivenom is Johannesburg. So, if you’re out in the bush when you get attacked, you may not make it to the hospital in time. Obviously, the smaller you are, the quicker it’ll kill.
If you don’t get treatment quickly, you’ll start to wish you did, so don’t play around with this. The average time for the poison to kill is a mere two hours. However, the longer you wait, the greater the risk for long term damage.
2. Cone Snail
The Cone Snail is one of those animals that no one thinks about, but it is as deadly as it gets. Usually, one may not even realize they are handling a Cone Snail because the first thing you see is their beautiful shell. The snail underneath is an afterthought, but a deadly one.
Shell collectors end up picking one up and the snail’s harpoon will stick into the person. What happens next depends on the Cone Snail. Each one has a different poison. The deadly ones have a Neurotoxin that will temporarily paralyze you. Then your body will start to shut down. You will also develop severe respiratory problems. This could be the worst part of it.
The Cone Snail has something called a Conotoxin.
There is no cure for what the Cone Snail puts in your system. Sometimes full blood transfusions are necessary to get rid of the poison.
The way to survive the attack initially, before help arrives, is to make sure you alert someone as quickly as possible by calling 911. You should also make sure that CPR is performed. If CPR is administered, chances are there will be enough time to save the person’s life. If not, they risk dying.
3. Hippopotamus
The Hippo is portrayed in pop culture as a slow, dim-witted animal. They have also been dubbed fun loving and peaceful.
While they are usually peaceful creatures, these 9,000 pound animals are also very territorial. They kill more humans on average each year than all African animals combined. This is a massive statistic when you think about it.
This animal has the potential to kill at any time, and people should take massive notice. The tour guides in the area know the signs of a Hippo that is miffed at them. They will give clues. However, novices won’t pick up on them, and those are the people that die.
They are territorial animals that simply want to be left alone and given their space. If you do neither, you will pay with your life. Hippos cannot swim, which is one interesting fact about them. But when they chase you, they will basically run underwater, and they can move around 5 mph. This can be faster than you think. They also don’t tire easy, so you better have good cardio to outswim one. When they get you, you will die. There is not even a doubt. It’s rare when the Hippo stops early. They make sure you’re dead so you don’t come back. This is why they are naturally deadly.
The best thing to do is watch the Hippo from a safe distance. In doing so, the Hippo won’t see you as an issue. The closer you get, the closer you are to death.
4. Poison Dart Frog
The Poison Dart Frogs are known for their beautiful colors. The Dart Frogs are some of the most beautiful creatures you will ever see, and it’s a shame that they are so pretty. People would love to handle them, but should not without proper safety gear.
Dart Frogs have poisonous skin, which can be a big risk. Their secretions are also poisonous. This is how they keep themselves from becoming prey.
The Frog got its name for literal reasons. Tribes have used it to make poison darts/arrows for hundreds of years. It became a household usage, if you will, for tribes in the area.
It’s unique in the fact that its skin and secretion is untouchable. However, not all poison dart frogs will kill humans with their poison. Only three are that deadly.
Usually, poison dart frogs won’t kill you from a simple touch right away, but you can feel really sick. The poison will mostly cause sickness because it’s technically not going into the blood when you touch it, but it is going into the skin.
Your skin acts as a filter between the poison and blood. So obviously some does get in, but not to an extreme level like with an open cut. Some with minor poison won’t kill you even if it’s shot directly into your bloodstream. But again, you will get quite sick.
The Golden Dart Frog can kill with its version of poison through just about any touch. It happens to be the most poisonous Dart Frog in the world, though. It would be the one to not even bother looking at.
Zoos keep these little guys in their own special cages. If animal experts won’t touch them, neither should you. The color is beautiful, but that’s your best warning.
5. Yellow Bellied Sea Snake
The Yellow Bellied Sea Snake is one of the most beautiful snakes in the world. However, it is as lethal as many. What makes this one stand out?
First of all, it’s normally found in the sea, which is different from most snakes. It hunts at all times of the day, so you’ll find it out and about a lot. They usually never attack humans unless you happen to get too close. Now, the coolest part of this snake is what it packs inside.
The poison is obviously lethal, but the way it can kill you is as horrible a way to go as possible. The venom is similar to that of Cobras, but more concentrated and more toxic. It’s said that one drop of their venom can kill three grown men.
The toxin basically attacks your system like all other poisonous snakes’ venom does. Yet, there is a twist. It attacks the respiratory system, and you can have an issue with paralysis. Worst of all, the venom attacks all the muscles, too. You can barely move, and you’re in a ton of pain, as well. You wish you were dead. This part of it does not kick in for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on size. However, it’s one of the roughest ways to die imaginable. You will end up experiencing the aches and pains even with the antivenom in your system, no matter how quickly you get it in. It’s just your body’s way of responding to it.
CPR is essential to even be kept alive until you can get the antivenom injected. If you don’t, a person can possibly fade out not only from the pain and shock of it all, but from the issues caused with the lungs. CPR also assists the heart, so the added benefit of keeping the heart and lungs active long enough for help to arrive is essential to keeping someone alive.
Some people have mentioned, even after they were saved from the venom of a sea snake, that they had severe muscle aches. Often, the pain was horrific. People complained about all of this for months afterward, too. OUCH!
6. Blue-Ringed Octopus
The Blue-Ringed Octopus is a gorgeous animal. The average sea diver that looks at these creatures is immediately attracted by the beauty. However, you’ll be in trouble if you don’t keep a safe distance.
I am not kidding when I say that the venom contains tetrodotoxin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, hyaluronidase, tyramine, histamine, tryptamine, octopamine, taurine, acetylcholine, and dopamine.
You may recognize some of these from medications, like Dopamine. But inside this animal, the effects of all these combined can be vicious. There is no antivenom for this animal, but humans can survive it. How so?
The only way is by instant CPR. You will develop paralysis within 5 minutes. So, that’s enough time to yell for help and tell someone to call 911. You can also tell them to deliver CPR. The average person dies from cardiac arrest or a lack of oxygen to the brain, causing suffocation. If CPR is performed immediately, you have a better chance.
You could also suffer permanent blindness or even permanent paralysis if help does not come soon.
As a rule, the most beautiful animals in the world are the ones you don’t want to mess with. The Blue-Ringed Octopus makes that statement exponentially true.
7. Hooded Pitohui
One of the only poisonous birds in the animal kingdom, the Pitohui family of birds are, at times, lethal. The Hooded Pitohui typically gets the most press because it’s not only seen more often, but its attacks have been reported more than other birds.
Scientists call it “The Flying Venom.”
So, what poison does it use?
You read about the Poison Dart Frog earlier, and it’s really the same thing. The HP has the exact same effect, as its skin and feathers are the poisonous part of it. The most horrible aspect is that the venom found on these birds is the most harmful venom known to mankind. Yeah, just when you thought it was fine to go outside, right?
A study was done on a mouse by injecting some of the HP’s poison into it. Normally it takes a few minutes for poison to enter the animal, and then death will occur within a few minutes, on average. When they tested the HP venom, the mouse was dead within seconds, showing just how lethal it is.
Normally we won’t be affected by this animal. Similar to the Poison Dart Frog, the poison has to hit the bloodstream. If it does not, though, a few side effects can still happen, such as numbness (usually where the poison was), tingling, or sneezing.
Paralysis and death can occur if the bird delivers a good portion of poison. Usually, it’s rare that it gives out that much, though. Either way, it’s a good idea to be careful if you go to Papua, New Guinea, the native area of this bird.
8. Death Stalker Scorpion
The Death Stalker Scorpion is kind of a fun name, right? It seems pretty nice.
If you’re like the rest of the world and see that name, it sends instant fear. You’d be right to fear it, too. This creature isn’t one to mess with, and it has a severe temper problem.
Many feel that this scorpion was the possible inspiration for the Scorpion character in Mortal Kombat. Many think it looks like a toy because of its beautiful yellow coloring. Therefore, it never really stands out as a big time threat to some children. This can result in a sting. The poison is lethal, as with many other scorpions. Here are same of the after effects of its sting.
Number one, their sting has been known to be incredibly painful. Many say it could be the worst of any sting or animal bite. Some have been known to go into shock as a result.
Also, the poison can cut off airways. It can kill you if the antivenom is not given soon. According to experts, it could take as little as a few hours. People have reported joint pain and severe headaches for a number of months after the sting.
You’ll usually find this animal in Israel, but it has been found in other areas, too. This particular scorpion loves the sand, so be extra careful there.
9. Puffer Fish
Little is known about them, but the funny thing is that the Puffer Fish is more deadly after its death than during its life.
The fish is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. However, if it is not prepared correctly by removing the poison, then one can actually die. Usually, the poison that it delivers can cause your airways to shut, which can obviously be an issue.
Its poisons are Saxitoxin and Tetrodotoxin, both of which can be lethal. Tetrodoxin alone can cause rapid heart rate, muscle paralysis, a decrease in blood pressure, numbness, and tingling. Often, the puffer fish’s symptoms can go away in a few hours or days, but medical treatment needs to be given soon.
During its life, the Puffer Fish is not really tough for humans to kill. But for other animals, it seems to carry a legend. Normally, even top tier predators like the shark stay away from it. Its barbs make it hard to fight and kill, and the fact that it expands can make the fish tough to eat. In the end, most animals just don’t want the hassle. The fact that most know it carries poison could also be something to think about. We can’t be the only smart species in the world, right?
All in all, this fish is not cool to mess with. Why people risk eating it is nuts. But hey, that’s one guy’s opinion, right?
10. Lanomia or “Assassin Caterpillar”
People may be wondering why I saved this little guy for last. Wait until you read about the Assassin Caterpillar. It can be almost impossible to even see this creature because it blends into its natural habitat so well. Therefore, humans can encounter it randomly.
People have known about the creature for some time, but only recently have they known that it was massively poisonous. So far, in the last 20 years it has caused hundreds of deaths.
In just the last few years, there have been around 300 known envenomings, many resulting in death or long term hospitalization. When Brazilian scientists found out about the creature, they quickly prepared the antivenom.
It causes “disseminated intravascular coagulation,” which is a fancy way of saying that it makes you bleed and prevents clotting. The caterpillar will give you something called “bruised blood.” It’s just like being hit in the face or arm and getting a bruise. Your body will swell up due to the blood, among other things. You feel pain there for a while, you’re tender, etc. However, imagine this happening to your inner biological makeup, your blood in particular. Your bruised blood cannot function well, causing severe issues.
The poison will also attack human cells. More specifically, it attacks protein cells, causing them to leak and preventing them from clotting. This virtually kills off the platelets.
Due to all of this, you start to bleed internally, which spreads throughout your organs. It will eventually cause compression and eventually brain death. You’ll bleed externally, too, just to add more fun to the party.
All of this happens immediately when the poison enters your body. Normally, to do enough damage to kill it would have to sting you 20 to 100 times. The funny thing is that most people who run into these guys end up getting that without even realizing it.
Also, people do it in obvious ways such as stepping on it or putting your hand on a tree where it is hanging around.
Scientists were baffled as to what changed with this animal, since no well-known attacks happened for millennia. However, a large number of attacks have recently occurred in just the Brazilian area. Something has caused this caterpillar to realize its power, and it’s quickly becoming one of the deadliest animals in the world.
Several studies continue to be done on the ecosystem in Brazil where these venomous creatures are located. But so far, nothing major has been figured out, at least nothing that we didn’t already know.
Photo by Perry Santanachote
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Photo by Caitlin Covington
Photo by Perry Santanachote
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