Top 5 most dangerous animals on planet
The most dangerous animals in the world (photo: freepik.com)
There are many animals in the world, but some can be dangerous to humans. The most dangerous animals impress not only with their strength but also with their venom, capable of inflicting serious harm in an instant.
Black mamba
Black mambas (Dendroaspis polylepis) are the longest venomous snakes in Africa, reaching lengths of up to 2.5 meters. They are also among the fastest snakes in the world, reaching speeds of up to 20 km/h, according to National Geographic.
A black mamba bite is almost always fatal if timely assistance is not provided. Each of its fangs contains 12 to 20 drops of venom, and just two drops are enough to kill a human, as noted by forensic pathologist Ryan Blumenthal from the University of Pretoria.
Bullet ant
The bullet ant (Paraponera clavata) is known for having one of the most painful stings among all insects. The pain from its sting is often compared to being shot, and it can last for up to 24 hours.
These ants, measuring only 2 cm in length, have a powerful stinger that injects toxins. This venom affects the nerve cells responsible for pain perception, causing paralysis at the sting site. Although their toxin is lethal to small creatures, a sting is not life-threatening for humans, though it is extremely painful.
Komodo dragon
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest lizard in the world, reaching lengths of up to 3 meters. These predators have large serrated teeth that help them tear apart their prey, as well as saliva full of bacteria.
This venom causes shock and prevents blood from clotting, which gradually kills the victim, allowing the dragons to enjoy their meal in peace.
Komodo dragons are relatives of the Megalania (Varanus priscus), a gigantic extinct lizard that could reach lengths of up to 7 meters, making it the largest venomous predator in history.
Brazilian wandering spiders
Brazilian wandering spiders are among the most venomous in the world. Their toxic cocktail of venom affects the neuromuscular system. After a bite, humans experience intense pain, excessive sweating, and a sensation of numbness in the skin. Symptoms such as convulsions, blurred vision, irregular pulse, lowered body temperature, and other unpleasant signs, including prolonged painful erections, can appear within 30 minutes.
Although the spiders' venom is highly dangerous, fatalities are rare. Since 1903, only 15 deaths from these spiders’ bites have been recorded in Brazil.
King cobras
King cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) are the longest venomous snakes in the world, reaching lengths of up to 5.5 meters. When a cobra senses a threat, it raises its head and spreads the skin around it, showing its majestic appearance. Although their venom is not the strongest among snakes, cobras can deliver a significant amount of venom in one bite and often strike multiple times during an attack.
A single bite can kill a human within 15 minutes, as noted by molecular biologist Sean B. Carroll from the University of Maryland in his article for The New York Times.
