10 Deadliest Animals to Humans on Earth

People often wonder what is the deadliest creature on the planet and argue about which animal should take that spot. To be honest though, none deserve that crowning glory better than us humans. But that set aside, let us take a quick look at the supposedly deadliest animals on the planet rated based on their danger to humans as the main criteria.

10. Poison dart frog

The natives just run darts against the skin of this tiny, bright and colorful frog from the rainforests of South America to hunt down prey. Why? Because its poison is enough to kill ten men and will be triggered the moment you touch its skin.

9. Cape buffalo

Here is a simple lesson if and when hunting the cape buffalo- Do not hurt it and leave it wounded as it will actively chase and kill you. This aggressive and massive animal kills more people in Africa than even the mighty predators prowling the continent.

8. Polar bear

The largest predator on the planet is ultra-protective when it comes to its young cubs. And when over-enthusiastic tourists or locals get too close to the cuddly, cute cubs, they are just inviting the wrath of the polar behemoth.

7. The elephant

They are not always the gentle giants and when in rampaging mood, a herd can mow down anything in its path. Reason for over 600 deaths every year, if you manage to keep out of the path then you are safe.

6. African lion

This seems a tab bit strange considering the fact that you would be careful enough to keep your way out of the Jungle king. But in nations like Tanzania where around 70 humans each year fall prey to the lion, that border between civilization and the African Savannah is thin and blurred.

5. Great white shark

With 30 to 100 global deaths each year, the great white is a predator that is all too well known and well documented. It is said that once it gets a taste of human flesh, it will develop a taste for further kills. The ocean’s most well-oiled and evolved killing machine strikes fear at sight.

4. Australian box jellyfish

With 5,567 deaths since 1884, that will definitely speak volumes about how lethal these creatures are. The most venomous marine creature known to man, each tentacle has enough toxins to kill 60 people. Beware if you’re swimming on the Australian coasts.

3. Australian saltwater crocodile

The famous ‘death roll’ will ensure that once you step into the water, it will drown you and then tear you apart. Water is its domain and the largest living reptile on the planet brings with it the ferocity of its Jurassic heritage causing around 2000 causalities each year.

2. Asian Cobra

Snakes like the Resells Viper and the Black Mamba might be deadlier, but the fact that the populous Asian continent is the home to the King Cobra makes its run-ins with humans all too regular and causalities aplenty.

1. Mosquitoes

A small bite that can turn out to be deadly with malaria infecting and killing millions of people across the globe each year. With majority of the victims residing in the developing nations and in the tropical belt, this tiny creature is the biggest killer of them all.

Images courtesy of cliff1066, Arno Meintjes, davipt, Matthieu, jim-sf, doobybrian, shellyblake, wikipedia, enygmatic, trekman.

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