When you think of animals, you probably think of your pets. Indeed, there is nothing better than cuddling down with your Labrador after a hard day of work, before feeding your fish and letting your rabbit out for a little run. Most of the time, your pets are harmless creatures that will only hurt you if you provoke them – and even then, it might be a little nip of the finger or a headbutt from your cat! Because we’re so used to our cuddly kittens and our playful dogs, we can sometimes be out of tune with the rest of the world and the animals that share it with us.
Outside of the urbanization of city life, there are millions of species of animals that keep their distance from society. Instead, they reside in dense rainforests, desert landscapes, mountainous areas, or even a little closer to home. Although they are often bright in color and unique in their shape, you wouldn’t want to cuddle these animals – because a fair few of them are incredibly dangerous.
Of course, we all know that lions, tigers, gorillas and other large animals aren’t the type for snuggles, but sometimes it’s the smaller creatures that pack the biggest punch. In fact, some of the smallest animals on earth harbor a whopping bite or sting that can potentially prove fatal to any human that gets close to them. However, it’s important to distinguish the difference between animals that are poisonous, and those that are venomous. To your average joe, the two factors seem to be interchangeable – but that just isn’t the case. A venomous creature is startlingly different to one that is poisonous, even though they both pose the same threat to those on the receiving end. The best way to remember the difference between the two is to remember that if you bite it and you die, the animal is poisonous. Yet, if the animal bites you and you die, it is venomous. Knowing the contrast between the two can prove vital if you ever find yourself stranded in the middle of a rainforest and fancy eating a frog or making friends with a snake…
Although we know that there are hundreds of animals out there who pack a punch and potentially paralyze you with their stingers, do you actually know where the most dangerous stings and bites come from? Luckily, we’ve got the ultimate list of the most dangerous stings and bites ready for you.
[post_page_title]Gila monster[/post_page_title]
There are very few venomous lizards in the world, but the Gila monster is perhaps the most dangerous. Found primarily in the United States, this lizard does not inject its venom through a stinger. Instead, it is much more brutal. To stun its victims, the Gila monster will latch onto the animal or human, and chew on an open wound. As they do so, the harmful neurotoxins will flow out of their mouth and into the body. This venom is extremely painful to humans but has yet to prove fatal.
