The World's Deadliest Animals

Marbled Cone Snails are found in warm saltwater environments. These small snails can be extremely dangerous. One drop of venom can kill 20 adults! Although only 30 human deaths have been reported, it is still an impressive little bugger.

This Marbled Cone Snail photo is used under creative commons, courtesy of Wikipedia

But how can human be poisoned by these marbled cone snails? They can be either by eating a fish that was poisoned by one of these snails. The toxin is so strong that it can kill you indirectly. Or, you can be sting by one. The toxin cause tingling, swelling, pain, and numbness, and eventually muscle paralysis, vision changes and breathing failure.

Puffer fish are found in South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia. Puffer fish, also known as Fugu in Japan, is suppose to be a delicacy to eat...providing you trust the chef enough to prepare it the correct way. If not, be prepare for it to be your last meal. Some internal organs ( ovaries, liver and the intestines ) and the skin of the puffer fish are toxic due to the presence of tetrodotoxin. Death by suffocation occurs when the diaphragm muscles are paralyzed. The tetrodotoxin contained in the puffer fish is extremely potent, luckily it can only kill you if you eat it. Still, this fish packs a lot of punch.

Close-up of a Puffer Fish, Bahamas

Puffer Fish (Blastoff! Readers: Oceans Alive)

Kids love to learn, and they are fascinated by all weird creatures. Puffer fish are unique and interesting, kids will be amazed. In this book, kids will learn some interesting facts about the the puffer fish: eating habits, how they fend off predators, in what part of the ocean they live. 24 pages with illustrations.

Yes fishes can be dangerous, even the most placid looking. You will find the Stone Fish in the coastal era of Indo-Pacific oceans (that include Australia). Its dangerousness lies in the fact that it has a perfect rock-like camouflage, and is very hard to see while it is lying on the sea floor.

Deadly Stone Fish, off Sharm El-Sheikh, Sinai, Red Sea, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

People step on it and voila....you get a sting from one or many of its 13 venomous spines. Depending on the severity of the sting, your problem will range anywhere from excruciating pain to death.

The sea wasp, also known as the box jellyfish is found in tropical location such as Hawaii, the Philippines and Australia. Their venomous strings are painful and deadly. Each Sea Wasp tentacle has 500,000 venom filled needles. It can extend its tentacles up to 3 meters! Since the mid 1950's there was at least 5,500 deaths because of the Sea Wasp. Even the dead Sea Wasp, found on the beaches, can sting. Vinegar neutralize the venom.

Box Jellyfish or Sea Wasp, Poisonous, Australia

Brazilian Wandering Spiders are found in South America. Their bites are responsible for more human deaths than the bites of any other spider species. They wander the forest floor and hide under rocks or wood pieces. They don't make webs of lairs. They are aggressive spiders and are known to attack on sight. Their venom cause muscle paralysis leading to asphyxiation.

This Brazilian Wandering Spider photo is used under creative commons, courtesy of Wikipedia

Most venomous land snake worldwide. The Inland Taipan's venom is 50 time more toxic than the cobra's. If untreated, its bite can kill an human in 45 minutes! It won't attack if left alone. This venomous snake is another dangerous beast native to Australia. Depending on the season, it will be green or brown and the Taipan's lenght can reach 6 feet 8 inches.

This inlan taipan photo is used under creative commons, courtesy of g_kat26

No bigger than a golf ball, this cute an innocuous looking little sea creature is found...in Australia (you might start wondering how people in Australia survive there!). As most critters discussed on this page, it is usually placid and unaggressive. Unfortunately for you, it likes to hide itself by flattening its brown body. So when you see it it's usually too late.

Southern Blue Ring Octopus, South Australia

When threatened its body will color up, and the cute Blue Ring Octopus will kill you. It has enough venom to kill 6 fully grown humans, there is no antidote for its bite.

Dart Frogs are indigenous to Central and South America. They were given this name because it is said that the natives use the poison from the frog on the tips of blowdarts. Poison Dart Frogs are usually very brightly colored and have a unique pattern to their skin. These frogs are very active during the day because they secrete the toxin through their skin so they can sit alongside potential

poison dart frog Poster

predators. One species has enough toxin to kill 10 adult men.

Mosquitoes carry many diseases including the deadly malaria, the dengue fever, many different variation of encephalitis, yellow fever and many more deadly diseases They kill 2 million people a year. In most countries, they are just annoying, but in third world countries, they are deadly killers.

Protect Yourself Mosquito Proof Your Home Poster

This World's deadliest animals webpage was last updated by Fanfreluche on February 17 2012