The 7 Most Dangerous Animals In Australia
Australia stands out for one of the most special fauna compositions on the planet. A huge percentage of Australian animals are endemic, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In addition, Australia not only has the most unique animals, but also many of the most dangerous.
These living things often have powerful poisons or huge teeth that can cause problems for humans. However, Australia’s most dangerous animals are not those you would expect. If you want to learn more about them, keep reading.
Australia’s most dangerous animals
From super predators to tiny invertebrates, the number of dangerous animals on this island is staggering. They can be found both at sea and on land and the following are just some of them.
The sea wasp
This semitransparent jellyfish, whose scientific name is Chironex fleckeri, concentrates on the Australian coasts during the summer months, with the sole objective of reproducing.
Like many other jellyfish, C. flexeri has tentacles packed with cnidocytes, venom-injecting cells that these invertebrates use to hunt and feed. However, the tentacles of C. flexeri can extend more than 2 meters and carry an incredibly potent venom.
So much so, that toxins from a single animal could kill 60 adult humans. It is a paralyzing and extremely painful poison, which can end the life of a person in a few minutes.
The blue-ringed octopus
These octopuses belong to the genus Hapalochlaena and stand out for their impressive appearance. They are small and have deep blue rings bordered by black running through their pale yellow body. Despite its beauty, this coloration is aposematic, as it indicates the dangerousness of the animal.
They are generally docile octopuses if left undisturbed, but when trapped, they are capable of inoculating one of the most powerful poisons in the animal kingdom. This poison is composed of neurotoxins, which cause paralysis and can cause death by suffocation in a few minutes, as in the previous case.
The saltwater crocodile
These crocodiles ( Crocodylus porosus ) are the only ones capable of living in fresh and salt water, so they can be found in seas, estuaries and rivers. They are the largest reptile species on the planet, as an adult specimen can reach 7 meters and weigh more than 1000 kilos.
Additionally, saltwater crocodiles are more territorial and aggressive than other species of crocodiles and alligators. They stalk their prey submerged in water and are great swimmers. Therefore, the Australian authorities prohibit bathing in certain parts of the island.
Australian funnel spider
Australia is full of potentially dangerous arachnids for people. Among them, Atrax robustus stands out , a black spider that measures only between 5 and 7 centimeters and lives in dark and humid places, such as under rocks, logs or in some parts of houses.
Unlike others, this spider did not develop its venom to attack, but as a defense mechanism against possible predators, but this has made it one of the 3 most dangerous spiders in the world.
Humans are especially sensitive to its venom, but luckily there have been no deaths from this arachnid since the invention of antivenom in 1981.
The taipan snake
In Australia there are 152 species of snakes, of which 100 are poisonous. In addition, this island has 20 of the 25 most poisonous species, including the most dangerous of all: the taipan snake ( Oxyuranus microlepidotus).
This snake lives in the interior desert of the island and, despite its venom, it is quite docile, shy and elusive. Very few people have been bitten by it and none have died. Other less venomous Australian snakes like Pseudonaja textileis are more dangerous as they are more common and aggressive.
The bull shark
Several species of sharks are regular visitors to the Australian shores. Among them, the bull shark ( Carcharhinus leucas ) stands out, which is responsible – along with the white shark and the tiger shark – for most attacks on humans.
This 3-meter animal is capable of surviving in fresh water and can be found in coastal areas, estuaries, ports and rivers. It is aggressive and territorial, which is why it is often considered the most dangerous of sharks.
Domestic animals: the most dangerous in Australia
The animals mentioned above are impressive and can definitely be dangerous under the right circumstances. Still, deaths related to them are very rare. The deadliest living things on this island are much less conspicuous.
Horses are the animals that have produced the most deaths in Australia in the last 20 years, as they are related to 1/3 of the total deaths caused by non-human living beings. Next are the cows and bulls, which have been involved in a large number of car accidents and direct attacks.
The third most fatal animal in Australia is the dog. Although these canids are faithful companions to humans, they tend to be forgotten that they are dangerous and take more lives each year than many species of wild animals, which have an undeserved bad name.
Although more precautions may need to be taken in Australia than elsewhere, most wildlife-related accidents are clearly avoidable. To prevent attacks, it is very important to respect animals and their ecosystems, in order to improve their well-being and that of citizens.