Care2 Causes/Joel Boyce: 5 Unexpectedly Deadly Animals

Care2 Causes | 5 Unexpectedly Deadly Animals
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5 Unexpectedly Deadly Animals
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    By: Joel Boyce
    October 22, 2018

    About Joel
    Follow Joel at @jjsboyce

Sure, we all know to avoid rattlesnakes and steer clear of alligators — but some wildlife threats are a little less obvious. These five animals are surprisingly deadly, so keep your distance!
1. Moose
moose

Photo Credit: Malte Wingen/Unsplash

Moose are the largest living species in the deer family, with males of the Alaskan breed standing nearly seven feet tall — and six feet across at the antlers — and weighing in at 1400 pounds, on average. Moose are found in deep woodlands and wetlands, and their historic range around across much of the Eastern United States has severely shrunk. Today they are found mostly in Maine, Alaska and in the least inhabited parts of Canadian provinces and territories.

Unlike common, smaller species such as the white-tailed deer, moose are not found near highways or on the outskirts of large cities all over both countries — meaning a majority of Americans and even Canadians have never met one in person. They also aren’t as afraid of people, so the average person might not realize how territorial and aggressive a moose can be when it feels threatened.

If you come across a moose in the wild, give yourself a few moments of quiet awe as you slowly back away — and don’t think about going in for a pet or a selfie. They are fully capable of killing you.
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2. Golden Poison Frog
golden poison dart frog

Photo Credit: Orias1978/Flickr

Frog-catching is a common pastime for children in the United States, and if you’ve never traveled to a tropical country, it may not occur to you that amphibians could be toxic.

In colder climates, amphibians tend to be harmless to larger animals like humans — they don’t even have teeth. In South and Central America, however, there are a number of highly poisonous frog species — many deadly to the touch, though some have to be eaten or at least licked.

While you’re safe if you don’t touch them, it’s important to watch children who might pick one up and then put their fingers in their mouth. Since the golden poison frog frequently comes in a mint green color, it’s one of the least obvious candidates for high toxicity.
3. Hippopotamus
hippo

Photo Credit: Pawel Czerwinski/Unsplash

Travelers to Africa tend to be wary of lions, leopards and, when near water, crocodiles. And indeed, each of these species can be dangerous, but hippos are in fact the greater threat.

You’re unlikely to go for a swim in crocodile-infested waters, but you might get between the water and a hippo — and they are not gentle giants. Hippos will casually kill and crush anything or anyone not quick enough to get out of their way. If they feel threatened or simply territorial, they might also chase after you. After all, hippos odd-toed ungulates, like horses and zebras, and quite capable of running. Their powerful jaws will do far more damage than a crocodiles, easily snapping an arm. If you go on a photo safari, keep your distance.
4. Marbled Cone Snail

Whoever heard of death by snail? Yet this unique species, found in shallow waters in India, Japan and elsewhere, is one of the most venomous animals in the world. Unusually for a gastropod, this species has evolved a harpoon weapon with a powerful nerve agent, capable of paralyzing a person. And they may have up to 20 stingers locked and loaded at one time!

Even worse, marbled cone snails hang around shallow water and look pretty much like typical snails, meaning you’re likely to ignore them — until you feel a sting and struggle to keep from drowning. Always check out the local wildlife guide when you’re traveling, folks.
5. Box Jellyfish
box jellyfish

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

I’m leaving this one for last because jellyfish are at the vanguard of a sinister invasion. Thanks to changes in weather patterns resulting from climate change, jellyfish are being found in more northerly waters than they’ve ever been before. And thanks to ocean acidification — like climate change, another side effect of CO2 pollution — jellyfish are also becoming far more plentiful than they’ve ever been before. While coral reefs are dying, jellyfish thrive in the increasingly acidic ocean waters.

This means that people in the Northern United States that have never seen jellyfish before may encounter great swarms of them one of these summers at their local beach, and their powerful stings have been responsible for many drownings. Be careful out there.

Photo Credit: Aleesha Wood/Unsplash
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20 comments
Brad H
Brad H10 minutes ago

thanks
SEND
RK R
RK R10 minutes ago

Moose do not like dogs either. True, you cannot outrun a moose. We have moose and, believe me, they can smell your scent long before you see them. The mosquito is still the most dangerous, right?
SEND
Frank Hanline
Frank Hanline26 minutes ago

This: (and of course only humans are)

Should say: (and of course only humans are violent, uncaring, unkind, etc.)
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Elizabeth H
Elizabeth H27 minutes ago

I knew about all of them except the snail. Always makes me wonder how some small things have such powerful venom.
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Frank Hanline
Frank Hanline27 minutes ago

Anyone who thinks nature is kind, caring, non-violent (and of course only humans are) is in for a rude awakening. For some real suburban fun, get between a buck and some does during mating season. Hope you know how to fight as the front hooves of a buck can break ones ribs and go straight into your heart.

I was smart enough to get a tree and thick brush between myself and the buck when I was out running in shorts and a t-shirt. Oh yes, rocks to the buck's face also help.
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Erika M
Erika M2 hours ago

Thank you
SEND
Rosslyn O
Rosslyn O3 hours ago

I was surprised to learn about hippos many years ago, but you have names several smaller critters that sound very frightening....thanks for the warning.
SEND
Catrin S
Catrin S3 hours ago

Interesting
SEND
Danuta W
Danuta W3 hours ago

Thanks for posting
SEND
Sherry Kohn
Sherry K3 hours ago

Noted
SEND
view all 20 comments
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