Have you ever thought about the most poisonous animals on Earth? Do you know by which poisonous animals are you surrounded with? Do you know how to treat if one of the animals bites you? Well, you don’t need to worry now, we have skimmed through the internet to bring you the list of them and tried to give a brief about the instant treatments. Read on if you’re curious about it, Let me list down some of the most poisonous animals in the world,
World’s Most Poisonous Animals
1. Box jellyfish
At least 51 species of box jellyfish were known as of 2018. Some species of this jellyfish produce extremely toxic venom. Stings from these fishes could be fatal to human beings. It is squarish and box-like bell from which its name is derived. From each of the four corners of its bell hangs short pendulum from which further hangs tentacles as you can observe in the figure.
There are about 15 tentacles on each corner. They are found in Atlantic and eastern Pacific ocean. They are able to catch speeds of up to 1.5-2kms. It seems that sea turtles are unaffected as they seem to relish on box jellyfish. Its venom is lethal enough to cause hyperkalemia and even death in 2-5 minutes and hence listed as one of the deadliest fishes in the world. Vinegar is used as treatment by the locals of the Philippines.
Also read: Top 10 Most Amazing Lizard Species
2. Poison Dart Frog
One of the most poisonous animals in the world is native to tropical Central and South America. They are diurnal(daytime activity) and have brightly coloured bodies. The brighter the colour, the more poisonous it is. Many of the species of this family are threatened due to the most obvious reason i.e. human interference. Their bright colours are associated with their toxicity and alkaloids. Most species of poison dart frogs are small in size sometimes 1.5cm in adult length although a few grow up to 6cm. Poison dart frogs are an example of aposematic organism meaning their unique characteristic of bright colours warns the predators. Adult frogs lay their eggs in moist places like on leaves, plants or on exposed roots. These are found in tropical rainforests like in Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, etc and known as one of the most dangerous amazon rainforest animals in the world.
Also Read: Why Amazon Rainforest Are So Important? & Why We Should Care?
3. King cobra
The King cobra also known as hamadryad is native to India through Southeast Asia. It is also threatened by habitat destruction. It has been listed as vulnerable in IUCN Red list since 2010. It is one of the world’s largest snakes (venomous). Adult king cobras are 3.18-4m in length. The longest known snake measures is 5.85m.
The King cobra holds a prominent position in Indian mythology. It is the national reptile of India.
It preys on other snakes and sometimes on vertebrates like lizards and rodents. They can be differentiated from other snakes by size and hood. Their hood is narrower and longer. These are distributed Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, Nepal, China, India, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
4. Deathstalker Scorpion
This is the most venomous species of scorpion. Its scientific name is Leiurus quinquestriatus. This name roughly translates in English as five stripped smooth tail. It is yellow and 30-77mm long. Its venom is strong enough to risk the lives of children, elderly or infirm and the ones with heart conditions and allergy. Although it’s bite is very painful, it wouldn’t kill an adult human, however, listed as one of the dangerous animals in the world. A component from deathstalker’s venom has shown potential for treating brain tumours and diabetes. It is found in Thar desert, Arabian desert, Sahara, Central Asia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Asia Minor and the Arabian Peninsula.
Also Read: 12 Deadliest Insects In The World
5. Blue Ringed Octopus
These are venomous animals found in Coral reefs and tide pools in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Though it bites are painless, their venom is so powerful that it could kill twenty-six adult human adults in minutes. Its antivenom isn’t available.
Its venom can cause nausea, respiratory arrest, heart failure, sometimes paralysis, blindness and can cause death if not treated within minutes. They can be identified with their yellow skin and blue-black rings which will change its colour when threatened. They prey on small animals such as small fish, crabs, shrimps, etc. They are found in Pacific and Indian oceans from Japan to Australia. It is also listed as one of the terrifying deep sea creatures.
6. Inland Taipan
It is the most venomous snake in the world. Its venom has the most effect when tested on mice and human heart cells. It is very fast and agile. It is estimated that it has enough toxins to kill at least 100 fully grown men. Its venom is specially used to kill warm-blooded species. As it habitats in remote areas, it seldom comes in contact with people.
It is found in semi-arid regions of Australia. They only consume mammals, mostly rodents. Captive snakes are likely to live for 10-15 years. It’s eggs hatches after 2 months. They keep their eggs in abandoned animals burrows and deep crevices.
7. Cone Snail
These extremely venomous predatory sea snails. As they are poisonous they could sting humans and live ones should not be handled as they sting can occur without warning and could be fatal. They are adapted to temperate environments of Cape coast of South Africa, the Mediterranean, and Southern California.
While on the sand, they bury themselves in the sand with only their siphon exposed. Some tropical snails live in or near coral reefs. They are carnivores and predatory. They hunt marine worms, small fish, molluscs, and even other cone snails. The venom of some of their species is strong enough to kill humans.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Stone fish
These are found in coastal regions of Indo-Pacific. This is the most venomous fish known. Though they are marine, some of the species are found in rivers. The poison is secreted from the glands at the base of their needle-like dorsal fin spines. They are grey in colour similar to stone. The poison generated depends on the amount of pressure applied.
Stonefish stings are extremely painful and possibly lethal. Hot water and vinegar applied to the affected area are found to destroy its venom. It can cause death if not treated. Swimmers may not notice them due to their camouflage and may step on them mistakenly. They are considered as delicacies in Japan, South Fujian, China and Hong Kong. Their poison-secreting organs are removed and then consumed.
9. Puffer fish
They are usually small to medium in size. Their liver and skin are very poisonous when eaten by other animals although it is found as delicacies in Japan, China, and Korea. It’s excellent eyesight and speed is very important for its self-defence. The secondary defence is that it inflates itself by drinking water. As there are spines on its skin, the predators if tries to eat, it will get chocked due to the spines.
Their diet consists of algae and small invertebrates. The toxin of it paralyzes the diaphragm muscle and stops the person from breathing. The treatment consists of intestinal decontamination. Its toxin is 100 times more potent than cyanide.
Also Read: Top 10 Endangered Animals In The World
10. Brazilian wandering spider
Their body length ranges from 17-48mm and known to be one of the biggest spiders in the world. During its defence, it first two pair of legs are lifted high, while the spider sways away from side to side with hind legs in a cocked position. It is named a wandering spider as it was wandering around the jungle instead of residing or maintaining it’s the web.
One of the most poisonous animals in the world mostly seen in Costa Rica, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. It preys on crickets, mantids, katydids, tree frogs and lizards. They are sometimes called the banana spiders as they are found in banana shipments.
Related: Top 10 Scariest Spiders in the World
These are the most poisonous animals in the world. Do post your comments.
