what is the least dangerous animal on the planet

The hippopotamus has a bulky body on stumpy legs, an enormous head, a short tail, and four toes on each foot. On top of that, the eucalyptus is difficult to digest, even with the koalas four stomachs. They spend about 16 hours a day in the water and only leave the water to eat. Theyre vicious mammals that invoke a mixture of fear and aversion in some folks (likely thanks to The Lion King). Tsetse flies, found in sub-Saharan Africa, carry a species of dangerous organisms called trypanosomes which, when transmitted to humans through the fly's bite, cause deadly sleeping sickness.. Notable Features: Black and white coloring. Despite its power, this marine creature is only the size of a pencil and can be spotted by the noticeable blue rings on its body. Komodo dragons may look like something out of a sci-fi movie, and they are often thought of as stupid animals based on their looks alone. The WHO estimates an annual death rate of 200,000 from snail-derived schistosomiasis throughout the world. You're more likely to be crushed to death by a falling vending machine than eaten by a shark. After the bite victim would feel like being shot. The bugs can also be carriers of disease, as is the case with the American elm bark beetle, which transmits Dutch . Notable Features: Other than a large barrel body, it has a big mouth with large teeth and tusks. Sharks think its the dumb one. Symptoms begin with a fever and headache and continue until the infected person becomes increasingly tired and eventually dies. The ears and nostrils can be folded shut to keep out water. Among all the species, the Homo sapiens are considered the most dangerous animals on the planet. Learn more about giraffes. Humans Killed: 3 people (in total that have ever been recorded), Where They Can Be Found: Australia, Japan, Philippines and India. The mating call is so disturbing it leaves the female dazed and confused. At number nine of the top 10 most venomous animals in the world we find the Chilean recluse spider, another arachnid. We often tense up when we see or hear a bee buzzing around. Some are slow creepers, going virtually unnoticed when they initially attack. 649., doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6829a5, Wang, Sho-Ya and Wang, Ging Kuo. Thats when the full majesty of their beauty unfolds. Many people assume that the giraffes neck helps them get leaves off tall trees, but there are a limited number of trees in East Africa, where the giraffe lives. The number of humans it kills each year. Journal of Proteome Research, vol. Found in Australia only within a 100-mile radius of Sydney, the Sydney funnel web spider is packed with venom made up of complex toxic proteins that overload the body's nervous system and can kill within 15 minutes. The inland taipan, for example, is known as the world's most venomous snake. The strength of the wolf lies in the pack. Occasionally, but certainly not always, the number of humans killed is connected to a single predatory tiger. The disease spreads by contact with freshwater thats been contaminated with parasites released by the freshwater snails. They have spines on their bodies. These horns, combined with their natural aggressive nature and massive size, make them exceptionally dangerous. Ghezellou, Parviz, et al. Fulmar chicks look like some of the dumbest birds. 357-371., doi:10.1007/978-3-319-22246-2_17. Annual cases numbered well above the tens of thousands until 2009, and luckily, sustained control efforts over the last few decades have reduced the number of global cases, with just 977 recorded cases in 2018. Most deaths are due to an allergic reaction to the sting. This list was developed by the Australian Museum in Sydney. Find out the top 10 below. 4, 2014, pp. They can get exceptionally dangerous when they enter the central nervous system, causing neurological symptoms like epileptic seizures. 3. Its strange to see such long necks, lanky legs, and big eyes on a bird. Notable Features: Orange and black stripes, If we learned anything from Tiger King, its that there are about 3,900 tigers left in the wild. People either love snakes or hate them. Here are some ways animals can be dangerous. Deep-sea divers know of the hazards of an innocent-looking cone snail, as their habitats are the tropical and colorful waters of the Red Sea, Caribbean Sea and the Indian Ocean. The worlds most venomous scorpion only grows to about 11 centimeters in length, but its lethal stinger packs a powerful puncha study published in Functional Ecology measured the deathstalkersstinger snapping over its head as fast as 127.9 centimeters per second. Many of these attacks are linked to rabies, but other emerging patterns of attacks may have more to do with food scarcity or habitat loss. From snakes to spiders and scary sea creatures, this continent has it all. And the entire world knows how much the turkey deserves to be on any list of dumbest birds. While it looks unusual, they appear to be lazy. Its unlikely that youll encounter these killers as they tend to hide in dark crevices about 165 feet underwater. Humans Killed Per Year: Different sources report anywhere from 725,000 to 1 million, Where They Can Be Found: Any environment, except for extremely cold weather, Notable Features: Small insects with long bodies, legs and antennae. Scientists believe that these endangered frogs, endemic to the Pacific coast of Colombia, sequester lethal amounts of batrachotoxin through their diet of poisonous ants. There are a number of species of box jellyfish, but they are all quite dangerous. 9. These reptiles which are the largest member of the lizard family, live in Indonesia. "The Ti-Liger," says Danielle Radin, a journalist and ethologist, "is one of the rarest animals on the planet." In fact, this man-made mix between a liger and a tiger is barely spotted. There. A sharp sting? Trypanosomiasis, a disease endemic in 36 sub-Saharan African countries, is caused by parasite transmission by infected tsetse flies. Mosquitos are responsible for more than 830,000 deaths per year. For very small children the amount of venom dispersed throughout the body is many times the . Death by snail is no way to die. Unfortunately, these natives of Indonesia are critically endangered because of the loss of habitat. Whole stands of forest can be destroyed if bark beetle numbers get out of control. Its unclear how many humans have died from an encounter with a poison dart frog. These rodents grow to be about 6 inches long and weigh about 4.5 lbs. The only species of wild cow found in Africa, the African buffalo is characterized by its heavy ridged horns used to fight against predators or for dominance against other males. 52, no. In between taking the kids to soccer practice and grading papers, she enjoys reading and writing about all the animals! The Tsetse Fly is often regarded as the world's most dangerous fly. But we've rarely been able to follow that enquiry without pursuing a dangerous kind of self-aggrandisement, argues Melanie Challenger Journal of Medical Toxicology, vol. As with most animals, elephants attack when provoked. In fact, hippopotamus attacks account for the highest percentage of fatalities (86.7%) when compared to lion and leopard attacks. They often use their quick, powerful kick to kill venomous snakes without getting bit if they miss. Only the king cobra is longer when it comes to venomous snakes. The mosquito is the most dangerous animal in the world, carrying diseases that kill one million people a year. The lions biggest weapons are their speed, sharp teeth and the pack. Furthermore, giraffes communicate with their eyes and by touching each other. This allows them to move faster, and the predator may decide to eat the partially digested meal instead of them. Crocodiles of these two species are also the few animals on earth that actively prey on humans. They make fascinating views because they move with an almost startling speed in surprising ways. The University of Melbourne. With the ability to understand the concept of why and the reasoning behind actions, these great apes rank at the top of the class! There are two- and three-toed sloths. 224-229., doi:10.1159/000489486. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. Of the 27 crocodile species, seven are extremely dangerous to humans. And, unfortunately, that makes sense. People are mostly infected during agricultural or recreational activities that expose them to dirty water, while communities with inadequate access to hygiene and medical treatment are most at risk. Bullet ants named after their painful sting. The vomit is also deadly. You hear plenty about how smart animals are. The horned lizard can shoot blood from its eyes, which is toxic to canines and tastes terrible to other predators. This allows them to knock out some animals before they can hurt or kill them. Previous studies have grouped wild dogs with dholes and bush dogs. 158-165., doi:10.1007/s13181-016-0594-0, Xu, Jiaquan. While its not a vicious attack, it still makes deer dangerous, especially to drivers at night. Florida Museum of Natural History. Sloths reside in South and Central Americas lowland tropical regions, spending their time in the first canopy. It allows this bird weighing about 7.3 pounds to stomp with force equal to 36.5 pounds. Poison Control Center sent 16,275 people to healthcare facilities due to scorpion stings, more than half of which occurred in the state of Arizona. The List of top 10 most dangerous and deadliest animals on Earth #1. 24 on this list? For those who dont receive immediate treatment, the disease is fatal. Where They Can Be Found: Rural parts of Africa, Notable Features: Typical fly features with a yellowish-brown coloring. Each year, there are an estimated 19,141 homicides, 14,414 of which are attributed to firearms. Yet, they attack animals, like cats, birds of prey, and bullmastiffs. Crocodiles (Kills 1,000 humans per year) 6. They prefer the taste of fish and seals and can actually find humans difficult to digest. Instead, the color came from its silicate-rich clouds. 2020, no. Komodo dragons have the dirtiest mouth in the animal kingdom. The lizards blood can shoot up to 3 feet, deters predators from getting closer, and predators often find out that it tastes horrible. When a horned lizard feels threatened, however, it can shoot blood from its eyes. Madame Berthe's mouse lemur takes the title of the world's smallest primate, with an average body length of 92 millimeters and a weight of around 30 grams. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Deaths from a hornet sting are usually grouped with wasp and bee stings. Where They Can Be Found: Worldwide, although risk factors include exposure to livestock, travel to developing countries and living in endemic areas. Hippos may seem pretty laid back as they lounge in the water, but these large mammals are actually quite aggressive and are believed to kill between 500 and 3,000 humans per year. "Predators That Kill Humans: Myth, Reality, Context and the Politics of Wolf Attacks on People." Even if it sees the attack coming from a continent away. Not only is it illegal, but it teaches them to associate people with food. Some of the most dangerous snakes live alongside people in areas where access to anti-venom and medical care is limited (such as India). Notable Features: Fire ants are usually a light brownish-red, but their aggressiveness is their most striking difference to regular ants. While that may seem like a move that would easily land them on our stupidest animal ever list, it is a brilliant move. Theres no in-between. This leads to all kinds of Jerry Lewis mishaps which end with the end. Humans in East Africa tend to live in close proximity to natural hippo habitats, thus increasing the likelihood of human-hippo conflicts. But theyre not drinking. It kills more than 150 billion animals for the sole purpose of food. This small but mighty parasite is one of the worlds deadliest animals because it transmits infections called cysticercosis or taeniasis. Or piercing fangs? That's notably fewer than some much less. Their bite can apply a force of 2,000 pounds per square inch, enough to snap a large human in half. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The saltwater and Nile crocodile are considered to be the most dangerous among all. Other people might add the Grizzly Bear, Lion, Tiger, Shark, Cougar, and any deadly creatures on the list above, including our beloved canine friend. Some of the most deadly animals are those that deliver venom. Deaths from Ascaris roundworm are more common in areas that have ineffective sewage disposal systems. While there have been few human deaths attributed to stonefish, a sting will still require immediate medical attention. They wait for an ant to wander by before they snatch it. However, most of these dangerous animals choose to avoid humans when they hear us stomping through their necks of the woods! Dogs (rabies) (Kills 59,000 per year) 3. Instead, they stand still and bob up and down, almost like they have hiccups. Hippopotamuses are the deadliest land animal on the planet, killing at least 500 people per year. Mozambique spitting cobra Digital Vision/Getty Images. Heather Ross is a secondary English teacher and mother of 2 humans, 2 tuxedo cats, and a golden doodle. If youre about to hit a deer honk, dont swerve, brake and stay in your lane. Stonefish are the worlds most venomous fish. Snakes kill about 100,000 humans every year, and they attack in a variety of ways. The females are extremely fertile. The last fatal attack occurred in 2009. . We used sources from scientific studies, national public health agencies, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to learn more about the most dangerous animals in the world. Whats more, 2018 also saw about 1.2 million emergency department visits due to human-on-human assault. A bite from a tsetse fly (pronounced set-si fly) is, to put it simply, unpleasant. Learn more about horned lizards and their North American habitat. "Trypanosomiasis, Human African (Sleeping Sickness)." Bees are responsible for killing about 100 people each year, with bee sting deaths in the U.S. rising every year. They fool their prey (humans included) by camouflage as they blend in with reefs and the bottom of the ocean floor. World Health Organization, 2021. As its name implies, giant hornets are, well, giant. "A 'Striking' Relationship: Scorpion Defensive Behaviour and its Relation to Morphology and Performance." Their distinctive white cheeks and chin may draw their predators attention toward their mouths. Oxford Medical Case Reports, vol. As the name implies, an assassin bug kills. They should win an Oscar for the dumbest bird acting. Its estimated that the box jellyfish account for 20 to 40 deaths each year in the Philippines alone. Where They Can Be Found: Worldwide, particularly in warm, humid climates, Notable Features: Looks like a noodle and is about 12 inches in length. Especially if you don't count the dangerous ocean animals (there are a decent amount of tiger shark attacks for example). Well, the bird thinks its invisible. The most common predator of these snails is the beetle. Yes you guessed it right, it's human. Out of all the roundworms known for parasitizing in the human gastrointestinal tract, Ascaris lumbricoides is the largest. Have some feedback for us? Wolf, 2. Lions (Kills 200 humans per year) 9. "Attack by Tigers." There are between 6 million and 7 million people infected with Chagas disease globally, mostly in urban settings, and the condition accounts for approximately 10,000 deaths per year. Giraffes communicate using moans and grunts that you cannot hear because of their frequency. There are 280 fire ant species around the world, and a sting from one of these killers may cause fatal anaphylaxis to people who have an allergic reaction. African elephants live in larger ranges and vast protected areas (where local communities can steer clear of them), while the smaller Asian elephants are forest dwellers who are more likely to share habitats with people. Scorpions are survivors, as theyve been around for millions of years. 10. "Hospitalizations and Deaths Resulting from Bear Attacks - Alaska, 2000-2017." If you see an alligator, dont feed it. OK, they are scary-ish (come on, theyre kinda cute), but not as deadly as other animals. Koalas are adorable, so they have a right to their eccentricities. World Health Organization, 2021. Theyre kind of stupid animals. "The Global Fight Against Chagas Disease." A fire ant bite is noticeable as it starts to itch immediately and then turns into a red welt. Integrating Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mass Spectrometric Strategies for Proteomic Profiling of Iranian Saw-Scaled Viper, Trypanosomiasis, Human African (Sleeping Sickness), Hippopotamus Bite Morbidity: A Report of 11 Cases from Burundi, Elephants Killed Over 2,300 People in the Last Five Years: Environment Ministry, Using Landscape Characteristics to Predict Risk of Lion Attacks on Humans in South-Eastern Tanzania, Predators That Kill Humans: Myth, Reality, Context and the Politics of Wolf Attacks on People, Yearly Worldwide Shark Attack Summary - International Shark Attack File, Species Implemented in Attacks - International Shark Attack File, A 'Striking' Relationship: Scorpion Defensive Behaviour and its Relation to Morphology and Performance, Nationwide Scorpion Exposures Reported to US Poison Control Centers from 2005 to 2015, QuickStats: Numbers of Deaths from Wasps, and Bee Stings, Among Males and Females - National Vital Statistic System, United States, 2000-2017, Single Rat Muscle Na+ Channel Mutation Confers Batrachotoxin Autoresistance Found in Poison-Dart Frog, Hospitalizations and Deaths Resulting from Bear Attacks - Alaska, 2000-2017, Sheer size, like with elephants, grizzlies, and hippos, Venom and diseases, because it's not always the bite but, rather, what's, Tool using, uniquely the case with humans.