Top Ten Small but Deadly Animals
Spanish for "small fly," mosquitoes are insects that have been known to cause various diseases. A sample of diseases caused by mosquitoes: malaria, yellow fever, Chikungunya, West Nile virus, dengue fever, filariasis, Zika virus. Believe it or not, mosquitoes are recognized as the most dangerous creature on earth. They infect and kill up to 1 million people a year, transmitting Dengue, Yellow Fever, Elephantiasis, West Nile Virus, Zika, Malaria, and much more.
These bees were purposely introduced to Brazil in the 1950s to help increase honey production. Since then, they have made their way into the United States. They look like and are the same size as an ordinary European honeybee. However, Africanized honeybees are a lot more aggressive and defensive, especially of their hive. They have been known to chase people and animals up to a quarter of a mile, resulting in thousands of deaths.
The Blue Ringed Octopuses (Hapalochlaena) are the four strongly venomous species that are found on the coral reefs and tidal pools in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, particularly from Australia to Japan. It is known as one of the most poisonous and deadliest sea creatures. It can kill a human body by... read more Found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, these octopuses are one of the world's most venomous animals. Only 5-8 inches in length, they have enough venom to kill over 25 adult humans within minutes. Their venom is injected through bites. When bitten, a person can suffer respiratory arrest, blindness, heart failure, and total paralysis. Death can occur within minutes.
Known for its aggressive behavior and potent venom, the Brazilian Wandering Spider is native to tropical South America. Unlike most spiders that build webs, it roams the forest floor in search of prey. It is considered one of the most venomous spiders in the world. Considered to be the most venomous spider in the world, they have a leg span of approximately 5 inches and a body length of 1.5 inches. Their bites are 20 times deadlier than a Black Widow's. These little jerks are aggressive, and their bites have caused many human deaths.
Here's a weird, interesting side note: in many cases, when a male is bitten by one of these spiders, it results in a very painful erection that lasts several hours.
Second only to mosquitoes in spreading diseases, ticks can transmit Lyme Disease, African Tick Bite Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Typhus, Q Fever, and more.
These little guys are found in tropical areas of Central and South America. Depending on the species, they average between 1 and 2 inches in length. They secrete highly toxic oil all over their bodies, which many believe is due to their toxic diet of venomous ants and centipedes. They got their name from the indigenous tribes who used the frogs' poison secretions to tip their blow darts. The most dangerous is the Golden Poison Frog, which carries enough venom to kill up to 20 humans.
The deathstalker is one of the most dangerous species of scorpions. Its venom is a potent mixture of neurotoxins with a low lethal dose. While a sting from this scorpion is extraordinarily painful, it usually does not kill a healthy adult human. However, young children, the elderly, and infirm individuals (such as those with a heart condition or allergy) are at much greater risk.
With an average size of 2 inches, they are considered to be the most deadly scorpion species. They are found in North Africa and throughout the Middle East.
This African fly bites and feeds on blood and is known to spread illnesses and diseases, most commonly Sleeping Sickness. Sleeping Sickness is a parasitic disease transmitted by the Tsetse Fly that can result in death.
A venomous spider native to the central and southern United States, the Brown Recluse is known for its reclusive habits and preference for dark, undisturbed places. Its venom can cause necrotic skin lesions in humans, making it a species to be cautious of when encountered. Usually under an inch long, these aggressive spiders are found in the Midwest, South, and Southeast of the United States. Bites can result in death due to severe soft tissue damage and loss.
Synanceia is a genus of fish of the family Synanceiidae, the stonefishes, whose members are venomous, dangerous, and even fatal to humans. It is one of the most venomous fish known. They are found in the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific. One of the most venomous fish in the world, these are found in the Indo-Pacific. They have needle-like, poison-tipped dorsal fin spines that stick up when threatened. Untreated stings will most likely result in death. Most species are around 12 inches long.
When it stings, it has poison in its sting.
Centipedes are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda. They are mainly carnivorous and they prey upon insects, spiders, small birds and rodents, and even other centipedes.
The black mamba is a species of extremely venomous snake, a member of the family Elapidae native to parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. If you get bitten by a black mamba snake even once, it will kill you instantly.
Flea, the common name for the order Siphonaptera, includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds. Fleas live by ingesting the blood of their hosts. Adult fleas grow to about 3 millimetres (1⁄8 inch) long, are usually brown, and have bodies that... read more
Hornets are the largest of the eusocial wasps, and are similar in appearance to their close relatives yellowjackets. Some species can reach up to 5.5 cm in length.
The Tasmanian devil is a carnivorous marsupial native to the island of Tasmania in Australia. It is characterized by its stocky build, black fur, and powerful jaws. Tasmanian devils are known for their fierce temperament and distinctive vocalizations that include screeches and growls. They have a strong... read more