Thursday 16 August 2012


Deadliest Animals

By mani prakash- Posted on 17 March 2012
Here are some of the deadliest animals on the planet. Many people might have different opinions about which animal in particular is the deadliest but in the differentenvironments, elements and situations each has its dangerous properties. What is considered here is the number of deaths worldwide caused by encounters with these animals. Luckily most of us are not in danger of coming across most of these animals too often (except for mosquitos). We are leaving out of course the most dangerous species of all - humans!

mosquito biting

Starting off with the insect kingdom we have the mosquito which brings death not immediately but by way of contagious disease, kiling 2 million people a year by passing along malaria and other unsavory ailments.

asian cobra strike

The Asian cobra and the people who live in its range have the misfortune of frequent encounters. This leads to many venomous bites and more than 50,000 deaths a year.

box jellyfish

The Australian box jellyfish has the stingers that pack a terrible toxic punch for unfortunate swimmers.

shark open mouth

One of your favorite predators the great white shark has classic attributes of being large, fast and having a zillion razor sharp teeth.

africa lion

Another classic predator, the lion, is also large, fast, and equipped with sharp teeth and claws.

crocodile teeth

Next, almost a mix between the shark and the lion, combining jaws and teeth on the land and in the water - the crocodile.

elephant charge

One you might not have thought of is the elephant, who when angry is not afraid to use its status as largest land mammal to enforce the rule of the animal world.

cape buffalo horns

The cape buffalo, also no pipsqueak (weighing 1500 lbs), and also residing in African savanah land may destroy whatever comes in its path especially a large stampeding herd.

woman at zoo polar bear

And other large and in charge animal is the polar bear who is not always so friendly especially if something comes between a female and her cub.

poison dart frog

The poison dart frog is known for its toxic slimy coating.

stone fish

The stonefish hides in the reef with its camouflage and deadly venomous spines.


More Types of Snakes

Baby Black Speckled Pal Pitviper
Baby Black Speckled Pal Pitviper - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Black Headed Python
Black Headed Python - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Black Mamba
Black Mamba - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Caucasus Viper
Caucasus Viper - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Copperhead
Copperhead - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Emerald Tree Boa
Emerald Tree Boa - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Gaboon Viper in Mozambique
Gaboon Viper in Mozambique

Garter Snake
Garter Snake

Green Snake
Green Snake

Hognose Snake
Hognose Snake

Vietnamese Long-nose
Vietnamese Long-nose - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Sonoran Gopher Snake in Arizona
Sonoran Gopher Snake in Arizona

Snake Whiskey in Thailand
Snake Whiskey in Thailand


More Types of Snakes

Baby Black Speckled Pal Pitviper
Baby Black Speckled Pal Pitviper - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Black Headed Python
Black Headed Python - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Black Mamba
Black Mamba - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Caucasus Viper
Caucasus Viper - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Copperhead
Copperhead - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Emerald Tree Boa
Emerald Tree Boa - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Gaboon Viper in Mozambique
Gaboon Viper in Mozambique

Garter Snake
Garter Snake

Green Snake
Green Snake

Hognose Snake
Hognose Snake

Vietnamese Long-nose
Vietnamese Long-nose - Source: Tad Arensmeier

Sonoran Gopher Snake in Arizona
Sonoran Gopher Snake in Arizona

Snake Whiskey in Thailand
Snake Whiskey in Thailand


Indian Cobra aka Black, Spectacled, Pakistani Cobra

cobra close up

A native of India, and most of Asia, the Indian cobra (also known as the spectacled, black and Pakastani cobra) is considered to be one of the worlds deadliest creatures. With a length of 6 to 7.25 feet (1.8 - 2.2 meters), and its characteristic hood (made up of flexible neck ribs and loose skin), it wouldn't need much help frightening anyone you know, but it gets it anyway, in the form of a highly venomous bite, and its ability to spit venom over 6 feet (2 meters) away (it can force venom through its fangs by exerting muscular pressure on its venom glands). The Indian cobra resorts to these attacks after taking its well known threat posture; in which it flares its hood (which also has markings that resemble “sinister” eyes) and raises the front third of its body length.

back hood design

The Indian cobra preys mostly on rodents, lizards, and frogs, but that doesn't stop it from biting the unfortunate humans who happen to cross paths with it. It is considered one of the “big four” in regards to being one of the top four species in the number of humans bitten per year. Its venom contains a very powerful post-synaptic neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes the muscles of the bitten, with more severe bites leading to respiratory failure or cardiac arrest in human victims.

albino
Albino

Indian cobras are very protective of their eggs, with females guarding the clutch of 8 to 45 eggs all day and night except for her own feeding time.

head

The handsome hooded reptiles have become common in popular culture because of the age-old practice of “snake charming”; in which a performer with a flute coaxes the snake from a basket using his music. In actuality, the Indian cobra is deaf to the sound of the flute and is instead following the visual motion of the flute itself and feeling vibrations in the ground from the charmer's foot tapping.

handsome reptile

Indian cobras were once killed for their venom and during staged fights with mongooses (their natural predator). However, they are now protected by Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and are safe from such practices. Due to this protection, and their own self-defense mechanisms and habits, their population has stabilized. These guys will be around to bite us for years to come.