Have you ever wondered what the most poisonous animals in the world are? What produces the most toxins? What kills the largest number of people per year? You have probably heard about some gruesome attacks by these deadly animals, some fatal and some leaving their victims seriously injured.
It is important to look at the photos carefully, although we may not find any of these animals where we live, you might just come across some of them whilst on vacation. All the animals that we write about here can kill or seriously injure you. Avoid close contact at all costs. Enjoy reading about the Top 10 Most Poisonous Animals on Earth.
10. Puffer Fish
In Japan and Korea, it is considered an exquisite dish, but this Puffer Fish is extremely poisonous to the human being, it can cause a quick and violent death, almost all Puffer Fish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them taste awful and often lethal to fish. To humans, tetrodotoxin is deadly, roughly 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide which is why it’s one of the most poisonous animals.
The Puffer Fish has an incredible ability to expand its body very quickly when faced with danger, unavailing it’s long poisonous spikes that cover its entire body. If a fisherman catches a Puffer Fish, they can’t touch the spikes as they are highly toxic to humans and animals.
Dizziness, vomiting, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, and muscle paralysis are some of the effects of coming in contact with this fish. Most victims die from suffocation due to paralysis of the diaphragm muscles, within 4 to 24 hours. There is no antidote, and most people die because they do not have training to prepare it, only chefs with the proper licenses can do it.
9. Poison Dart Frog
If you happen to be strolling through the rainforest in Central or South America, stay clear of this beautiful frog with bright colors, it may be the most poisonous frog in the world! At only 5cm it has enough venom to kill 10 adults or 20,000 rats. It’s called Dardo because the Indians of that part of the world used their venom at the tips of their spears and arrows. Many animals will become very sick from just licking a poison dart frog, so they stay clear of them. The poison from these types of frogs is capable of causing convulsions, paralysis, and death.
8. Scorpion
Contrary to popular belief, most scorpions pose no danger to humans because most bites are minor and only cause local numbness, swelling and pain. However, some larger Scorpions produce a more powerful blend of neurotoxins that cause severe pain, fever and coma, seizures, paralysis, and death. All 1750+ species of scorpion possess a venomous sting on the tip of their tail; however, it is only around 20 of these with venom powerful enough to kill a human. All but one of these species are members of the Buthidae family.
7. Marble Cone Snail
The Marble Stone Snail may look harmless but it’s as lethal as any other animal on this list. A single drop of poison from this little guy can kill more than 20 people, so stay well clear of them. They can be found in warm waters, and they use their poison to catch prey. If someone is unlucky enough to get bitten the symptoms will manifest days later. Severe pain, swelling and numbness. It can cause muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing and poor vision. Although there is no antidote, only 30 deaths have ever been recorded. These creatures can be found the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. This is the smallest creature on our most poisonous animals list.
6. Stone Fish
The Stone Fish would never win a beauty pageant, but he certainly wins the most poisonous fish. Its venom causes so much pain that victims would prefer amputation. In addition to the pain, the victims go into shock, causes paralysis and death of the tissues, and can even be fatal if left untreated within two hours. They store the poison in the thorns that serve to defend themselves against predators. Live in the Pacific and Indian waters from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia.
5. Sydney Funnel Spider
As the name suggests this spider resides in the Sydney area of Australia but belongs to a family of spiders that are scattered all over the world. The name of these spiders comes from the funnel-like shape of the webs they construct to catch the insects. They can grow up to 5cm in length and are very aggressive, making use of fangs that frighten anyone. They can even pierce a nail with one attack. When they feel threatened, they raise their front legs and exhibit their fangs and when they attack, they repeatedly do so. The poison is particularly harmful to humans and primates but not to other mammals. It is also known that the venom of females is not as potent as the venom of males that can kill in less than an hour. There have been no deaths from this spider’s bite since 1981.
4. Inland Taipan
This is the most poisonous snake in the world, with a bite that can kill up to 100 men in less than 45 minutes. Inland Taipan lives in the Australian desert. Luckily for us this snake is usually quite shy and reclusive and would rather avoid trouble, however being mishandled, provoked or surprised could make it strike.
The Inland Taipan can deliver 8 venomous bites in just a single attack by holding its prey, injecting the extremely toxic venom deep into the it’s victim, the venom acts so fast that it gives the victim no chance to fight back.
3. Blue-ringed Octopus
The Blue-ringed Octopus is a species of octopus known for the visible blue rings on its body and the very powerful poison it possesses. It lives on the coasts of Australia and is very small, growing only 12 cm. It’s diet typically consists of small crabs and shrimp, but it can also feed on fish when the opportunity arises. In laboratory conditions they were seen in acts of cannibalism, eating elements of the same species, although this is not observed in nature. Its venom is a large cocktail of toxic compounds known as tetrodotoxin and is able to kill the victims with great ease, with one dose capable of killing 20 men within minutes. Luckily accidents with humans are very rare, as there is no antidote to the poison of this octopus.
2. King Cobra
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake and can grow up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft) in length. Ophiophagus, literally means “snake-eater” simply because it eats other snakes (much like the King Snake). Just one bite can be fatal to a healthy adult human within just 15 minutes. This snake is even capable of killing a full-grown Asian Elephant within 3 hours if the Elephant is bitten in a certain area such as the trunk.
The venom from this snake is not as toxic compared to other venomous snakes, but King Cobra is able to inject more venom than a black mamba (up to 600 mg) and can result in one of the quickest mortality rates for any snake bite -typically 30-45 minutes after envenomation. The King Cobra can be found widespread, ranging across South and South-east Asia, living in dense highland forests. This is one snake you don’t want to mess with and makes the number 2 spot on our Most Poisonous Animals list.
1. Box Jellyfish
The Box Jellyfish, also known as the Sea Wasp, is one of the most venomous creatures in the world. Found primarily in the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, this transparent jellyfish packs a powerful sting that can cause severe pain, heart failure, and even death.
One of the most distinctive features of the Box Jellyfish is its long, venomous tentacles. These tentacles can reach up to 10 feet in length and are lined with thousands of tiny, venom-filled stingers. When a person or animal comes into contact with these tentacles, the stingers inject venom into the bloodstream, causing a range of symptoms from severe pain and muscle cramps to heart failure and death.
Despite its deadly venom, the Box Jellyfish is often difficult to spot in the water. Its transparent body and long, flowing tentacles make it almost invisible to the naked eye, which is why it is often referred to as the “invisible killer.”
The venom of the Box Jellyfish is incredibly potent. It can cause heart failure, severe muscle cramps, and even death. If stung, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. If possible, remove any tentacles that may be attached to the skin and immerse the wound in hot water, as this can help to neutralize the venom.
Despite the danger posed by the Box Jellyfish, it is important to remember that it is a natural part of the ocean ecosystem and plays a vital role in controlling the population of other marine animals.
However, the danger of box jellyfish can be mitigated. For instance, in some areas of Australia, nets have been put in place around popular swimming areas to protect swimmers from Box Jellyfish stings. And in other places, an antivenom has been developed to treat the venom.