JCPL Teens

Here are some of the most deadly animals on earth:

1. Mosquito - It may be small but the mosquito accounts for around 2 million deaths per year.  This little blood sucking fiend may transmit malaria, yellow fever, elephantiasis and many other diseases.  They live all over the globe and some breeds can even reproduce in salt water.

2. Inland Tiapan or "Fierce" snake - The venom of this snake is so powerful it could kill up to 100 people. While this snake has the most potent venom it is docile and does not have a high death rate.  The King Cobra of Asia holds the title for most kills.

3. Blue Ringed Octopus - The venom in this octopus can kill a grown man in 15 minutes.  Luckily this little critter is only 4 inches in length.  Another interesting fact about octopus is they have three hearts.

4. Box Jellyfish - Each tentacle has about 5,000 stinging cells.  These are set off by the presence of a chemical on the outer layer of its prey.  The neurotoxin in the stinging cells can cause heart failure, disrupt the nervous system and leave angry red welts on the skin.  Unlike many jellyfish that just drift through the water Box Jellyfish can propel themselves up to 4 knots per hour. 

5. Poison Dart Frogs - They may be colorful but don't mistake them for your prince in disguise.  The use of bright colors to repel predators is called aposematic coloration.  The lipophilic alkaloid toxin secreted through their skin.  It is believed that the toxin is not created by the frog but rather is a byproduct of the poison in the insects they eat.  The Golden Dart Frog is the most poisonous of the breed.   

 6.  Crocodile - With a burst of speed the crocodile will erupt from the water and grab it's prey with a sideways motion of it's jaw.  This descendant of the dinosaur can be found in most tropical and subtropical parts of the world.  You can tell a crocodile from an alligator by the 4th tooth.  When it's jaw is shut you can see the 4th tooth on a crocodile but not on an alligator.

7.  Elephants - Surprisingly, this seemingly docile creature can account for between 150 and 200 deaths per year.  The elephant trunk contains around 100,000 different muscles. 

8.  Hippopotamus - The hippo has an average weight of 5 tons.  These river dwellers are extremely territorial and will charge if they feel threatened.  Their teeth grow to an average of 2 1/2 feet long.  Right now they are facing possible extinction but they still account for 100 deaths a year.

9.  Tsetse Fly - This blood sucking fly is native to Africa and carries the disease trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness.  Unlike mosquitos, both the male and female drink blood to survive.  The Tsetse fly doesn't lay eggs like most insects but rather gives birth to it's young.

10  Duck Billed Platypus - While not a large percentage of people are killed by this animal I am including it in this list because it is not something you would think of as being dangerous.  The male platypus has venomous spines in its hind feet.   Platypuses live in rivers on the eastern side of Australia.

Want to know more about animals?  Check out our online databaseInternational Wildlife or the National Geographic Website.