[Animals]The Most Dangerous Animals in the World

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HORNS, FANGS, AND SWITCHBLADE FACES ARE NO MATCH FOR THE DEADLIEST CREATURE OF ALL.

Sharks may star in the bloodiest blockbusters—and sure, spiders tend to monopolize the phobia department—but when you get down to the facts, those are merely two classes of creatures among the scariest to stalk the planet. In fact, there are many ferocious beasts, both large and small, that are downright deadly. From actively contributing to signifiant loss of human life, to packing enough venom to put unlucky travelers out of commission, here are the 13 most dangerous animals in the world—and where to find them.

 

Cape Buffalo

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13. Cape Buffalo

Cape buffalo, which number around 900,000, are a relatively mild species when left alone, preferring to travel in massive herds to graze in early morning and late afternoon hours, or to gather around watering holes to stay hydrated. However, if an individual (or its calf) is threatened or wounded, they become the incarnation of their nickname: Black Death. Reportedly responsible for killing more hunters on the continent than any other creature, these behemoths, which can grow up to nearly six feet tall and weigh close to a ton, circle and stalk their prey before charging at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. They’re even known to continue charging no matter where they’re injured and will not hesitate to attack moving vehicles. Suffice to say, you don’t want to mess with those horns.

 

Where to find them: Sub-Saharan Africa, including Kruger National Park in South Africa

 

Cone Snail

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12. Cone Snail

Found in the warm waters in the tropics, these beautiful creatures—instantly recognizable for their highly prized brown-and-white marbled shells—can be seen in shallow depths closer to shore, near coral reefs and rock formations, and beneath sandy shoals. But do not dare to touch the 4- to 6-inch long gastropods: Their concealed, harpoon-like “teeth” contain a complex venom known as a conotoxin, making them one of the most venomous species of snails. Only a handful of people ever stung, but, quite unfortunately, there is no antivenom. The toxin stops nerve cells from communicating with one another; so the creature not only causes paralysis within moments, but, per its nickname of “cigarette snail," affords you about enough time to smoke a stick before you die.

 

Where to find them: The Caribbean, Hawaii, and Indonesia

 

Golden Poison Dart Frog

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11. Golden Poison Dart Frog

The poison dart is a large, diverse group of brightly colored frogs, of which only a handful of species are particularly dangerous to humans. The most deadly, the golden poison dart, inhabits the small range of rain forests along Colombia’s Pacific coast, and grows to around two inches long (roughly the size of a paper clip). Its poison, called batrachotoxin, is so potent that there’s enough in one frog to kill ten grown men, with only two micrograms—roughly the amount that would fit onto the head of a pin—needed to kill a single individual. But what makes the amphibian especially dangerous is that its poison glands are located beneath its skin, meaning a mere touch will cause trouble. Little wonder the indigenous Emberá people have laced the tips of their blow darts used for hunting with the frog’s toxin for centuries. Sadly, deforestation has landed the frog on several endangered lists, but even if you do have a rare sighting when hiking, don’t go reaching for it.

 

 

Where to find them: Northern South America

 

Box Jelly fish

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10. Box Jellyfish

Often found floating (or slowly moving at speeds close to five miles per hour) in Indo-Pacific waters, these transparent, nearly invisible invertebrates are considered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the most venomous marine animal in the world. Their namesake cubic frames contain up to 15 tentacles at the corners, with each growing as much as 10 feet long, all lined with thousands of stinging cells—known as nematocysts—that contain toxins that simultaneously attack the heart, nervous system, and skin cells. While antivenoms do exist, the venom is so potent and overwhelming that many human victims, of the hundreds of reported fatal encounters each year, have been known to go into shock and drown or die of heart failure before reaching shore. Even if you are lucky enough to make it to the hospital and receive the antidote, survivors can sometimes experience considerable pain for weeks afterward, and bear nasty scars from the creature’s tentacles.

 

 

Where to find them: Off the northern coast of Australia

 

Indian Saw-Scaled Viper

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9. Indian Saw-Scaled Viper

While plenty of snake species pack enough venom to easily bring down a human, not all of them take the multifaceted approach of the Indian saw-scaled viper, which is why they are one of the top contributors to snakebite cases. Sometimes called the little Indian viper or simply the saw-scaled viper, these reptiles live in some of the most po[CENSORED]ted regions of the range they occupy, which stretches well beyond India. They remain inconspicuous by using their natural camouflage to blend into desert surrounds. Because they are typically active at night, it’s best to listen for their defensive sizzling sound; this comes from a behavior called stridulation, in which the snake forms coils and rubs its scales together. Even with a warning, saw-scaled vipers are extremely aggressive, with more than double a lethal dose into each bite. (Luckily, there is an effective antivenom.)

 

Where to find them: Parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent