How can we know which are the most dangerous animals in the world? Should we focus on those that represent a great risk due to their physical strength or those that have a toxicity capable of annihilating in a few minutes? To give a reliable answer, we have consulted the records of animal attacks on people, in this way we have discovered the most lethal animals in the world.
Discover in this article on our site the 15 most dangerous animals in the world, with photographs and reliable data about the deaths they cause annually, don't miss it!
1. The mosquito
Surprised? The mosquito is the deadliest living being, ranking first on our list of the world's most dangerous animals. This small invertebrate is capable of acting as a vector for various viruses and parasites. It is estimated that mosquitoes currently cause more than 725,000 deaths a year, most of them children, being considered the animal that causes the greatest mortality in humans in the planet.
Thus, the most dangerous animal in the world is the Aedes aegypti, a mosquito that has been able to generate great resistance to various insecticides. This mosquito, which feeds only on human blood, lays eggs in all kinds of containers and is capable of transmitting yellow fever, classic dengue or the Zika virus.
two. The human being
Indeed, man is the second most dangerous animal in the world and is directly responsible for the loss of biological diversity on planet Earth. Human activity is causing irreversible effects in the long term. Some of them are the depletion of resources, the loss of ecosystems and the mortality of species and populations. It is estimated that in the last 100 years man has caused the extinction of 200 vertebrates
Some practices, such as overexploitation, deforestation, pollution or climate change not only affect animals, but also people, causing that currently more of 475,000 people die due to human actions. Some scientists even speak of a massive biological annihilation or the " sixth extinction".
3. The snake
The snake is the third protagonist of our list of the most dangerous animals in the world. The WHO (World He alth Organization) points out that of the 600 poisonous species that are distributed around the planet earth, 200 are considered of "medical importance", due to the dangerousness of their bite, causing toxicity, disability and mortality. The two hundred species are divided into two categories, according to risk.
It is estimated that every year between 30,000 and 40,000 people die from a snake bite. The species considered most dangerous are the "Malay krait" (Bungarus candidus), the "Malay viper" (Calloselasma rhodostoma) and certain cobras (commonly species of the genus Naja). In some cases, death can occur within a few minutes.
Also discover on our site more curiosities about the most poisonous snakes in the world.
4. The dog
Probably if you ask yourself what the most dangerous animals in the world are, you don't imagine that the dog is part of the list, right? We must know that canine rabies is a pathology that continues to cause the annual death of some 25,000 people around the world.
Although rabies only represents 1% of all deaths caused by infectious diseases, rural areas and/or areas without access to he althcare are the most vulnerable. We believe that Africa and Asia are the continents at greatest risk, since it is in these endemic areas that 95% of cases recorded. The continents where 50% of the world's population lives are also considered.
5. The tsetse fly
The tsetse fly is a large African insect belonging to the genus Glossina that parasitizes vertebrate animals. It feeds on the blood of its victims and is capable of transmitting the parasite Trypanosoma, which causes sleeping sickness (African Trypanosomiasis), a potentially lethal pathology, except in those cases that are diagnosed and treated promptly.
Thus, this invertebrate is one of the 5 most dangerous animals in the world, killing some 12,000 people a year, most of them registered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. This disease attacks the CNS by invading the brain, causing extreme lethargy and ultimately leading to death in sufferers.
6. Assassin Bugs
These small insects of the reduvid family (Reduviidae) are responsible for the spread of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes the Chagas disease or illness. This pathology is especially widespread in Latin America. It is currently estimated that there are around six to seven million people infected, thus causing between 20,000 and 10,000 deaths per year.
7. The freshwater snail
The freshwater snail acts as a host for trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma, responsible for schistosomiasis or bilharzia, a pathology present in countries with tropical and subtropical climates. It is estimated that 92% of people with this disease reside in Africa.
There are more than 200 million infected people who require prophylactic treatment. Although it is received by around 88 million annually, there is still a high mortality rate that supposes the death of around 10,000 people a year Lack of sanitation is the main cause.
8. Intestinal parasites
We highlight the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides as one of the deadliest intestinal parasites for humans. They are transmitted orally or fecally and can reach 20 to 30 centimeters in length. It is common in tropical and subtropical climates, mainly affecting children, and being the main cause of ascariasis. It is estimated that currently around 2,500 people die due to this pathology.
9. Scorpions
Continuing with the most dangerous animals in the world comes the turn of the scorpions, animals that kill their prey by use of poison However, of the more than 1,000 poisonous species that exist, only about 25 can be fatal to man, precisely those that belong to the Buthidae family. Currently some 3,250 people die every year due to their scorpion sting.
10. The crocodile
Crocodile attacks are frequent in those countries where these large sauropsids live near human populations. However, only those specimens that exceed two and a half meters in length represent a real risk to humans.
It is estimated that around 1,000 people die annually from this cause, with the Nile crocodile and the s altwater crocodile being the species more dangerous to man. Also discover on our site which are the most dangerous reptiles in the world.
eleven. The hippo
The hippopotamus is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to Africa, mainly herbivorous. It coexists with a wide variety of predators, such as lions, hyenas or crocodiles, but it is known to be a particularly aggressive animal, with attacks between various hippos being very frequent.
There have also been a large number of conflicts with people, around 500 annual attacks These animals They can easily overturn boats, in addition to consuming crops near their habitat, which can lead to an aggressive situation on the part of this large mammal.
12. Elephant
The elephant is a noble and especially sensitive being. Usually lives peacefully with other animals, which stay out of its way. Exceptionally, attacks between rhinos and elephants have been recorded, mainly in Keina. Still, its large size also makes it lethal. Every year 450 people die victims of the attack of this powerful placental.
13. The lion
The lion, also known as " the king of the jungle" is considered one of the most dangerous animals in the world. These big cats need to be close to their prey to attack, so that's when a quick dash and somersault takes place. Currently around 250 people die each year due to lion attacks.
14. The wolf
You may be wondering, is it true that wolves attack people? The last recorded attack in Spain was in 1997, but it is also important to point out that wolves are especially shy animals that avoid contact with humans as far as possible, except when they feel threatened.
The alleged attacks on livestock are suspected to be caused mainly by deforestation. These contrast with the 10 annual deaths around the world that occur roughly.
fifteen. The shark
We end the list of the world's most dangerous animals with sharks! The attacks of these large predators have been documented for years by media coverage, which has come to inspire illustrations and movies around the world.
There are more than 350 species of sharks, however, only three of them are responsible for the highest percentage of deaths: the white shark, the tiger shark and the bull shark. In the last century there has been an average of 6 fatal attacks per year, with Australia being the country with the highest number of incidents.
