Dangerous Animals in Australia - What to Watch Out For:
Australia is known as the home of some of the most dangerous animals in the world, and with good reason, because few other countries contain the variety of potentially deadly animals that Australia has living within its vast boundaries. From venomous snakes and spiders, through to crocodiles and lethal stingray, Australia contains more animals with the potential to cause fatality than anywhere else in the world. And below are listed just a few of Australia's most dangerous animals, so you’ll know what to keep an eye open for, should you be travelling out to Oz anytime soon.
Australia is known as the home of some of the most dangerous animals in the world, and with good reason, because few other countries contain the variety of potentially deadly animals that Australia has living within its vast boundaries. From venomous snakes and spiders, through to crocodiles and lethal stingray, Australia contains more animals with the potential to cause fatality than anywhere else in the world. And below are listed just a few of Australia's most dangerous animals, so you’ll know what to keep an eye open for, should you be travelling out to Oz anytime soon.
Dingoes
The ancestors of these wild and primitive canines are thought to have arrived in Australia from Asia thousands of years ago, and they are now the largest terrestrial predator on the continent. And in recent years due to more frequent interactions with humans Dingoes have grown confident around people, and can be found hanging around campsites, etc. from where they may attempt to raid food from picnickers. And Dingoes have been known to attack humans if provoked or hungry, and as such should not be approached too closely.
Snakes: Inland Taipan
The ‘Inland Taipan’ is the most venomous land snake on Earth, and is a native of Australia. Delivering huge doses of venom that are up to 400 times as toxic as that of a rattlesnake, the Inland Taipan is a reptile best avoided. However, despite the deadly potential of the Inland Taipan, they are known to be extremely shy and reclusive creatures, that will (usually) only attack when threatened.
The ‘Inland Taipan’ is the most venomous land snake on Earth, and is a native of Australia. Delivering huge doses of venom that are up to 400 times as toxic as that of a rattlesnake, the Inland Taipan is a reptile best avoided. However, despite the deadly potential of the Inland Taipan, they are known to be extremely shy and reclusive creatures, that will (usually) only attack when threatened.
Funnel Web Spiders
Of all the spiders to be found in Australia the ‘Funnel Web Spider’ is the one that poses the greatest threat to humans. Growing up to six centimetres long the Funnel Web spiders are extremely venomous arachnids that usually live in burrows under rocks or rotting logs. And if disturbed the Funnel Web spider will rear up in an aggressive threat pose, designed to deter would-be predators. Found predominantly in Eastern Australia (though not exclusively) Funnel Web spiders have been responsible for more deaths than any other Australian spider. And as such, should be left well alone.
Of all the spiders to be found in Australia the ‘Funnel Web Spider’ is the one that poses the greatest threat to humans. Growing up to six centimetres long the Funnel Web spiders are extremely venomous arachnids that usually live in burrows under rocks or rotting logs. And if disturbed the Funnel Web spider will rear up in an aggressive threat pose, designed to deter would-be predators. Found predominantly in Eastern Australia (though not exclusively) Funnel Web spiders have been responsible for more deaths than any other Australian spider. And as such, should be left well alone.
Crocodiles
Crocodiles, and specifically ‘Saltwater Crocodiles’ found in Northern Australia, are another of Australia’s deadliest animals. Growing upto twenty-plus foot in length and weighing in at over two-thousand pounds, Saltwater crocodiles are recorded as being responsible for one human death every other year. Inhabiting river-areas, billabongs, and mangroves Saltwater Crocodiles are enormously powerful, and while their diet is usually made up of birds, water buffalo, and kangaroos, being an opportunistic predator, the Saltwater Crocodile is likely to attack anything, that strays too near.
Crocodiles, and specifically ‘Saltwater Crocodiles’ found in Northern Australia, are another of Australia’s deadliest animals. Growing upto twenty-plus foot in length and weighing in at over two-thousand pounds, Saltwater crocodiles are recorded as being responsible for one human death every other year. Inhabiting river-areas, billabongs, and mangroves Saltwater Crocodiles are enormously powerful, and while their diet is usually made up of birds, water buffalo, and kangaroos, being an opportunistic predator, the Saltwater Crocodile is likely to attack anything, that strays too near.
Sharks: Tiger Shark
Arguably the most dangerous of all the sharks, and another native living along the shores of Australia, are the Tiger Shark. Growing to over sixteen foot in length Tiger shark are solitary hunters, often found swimming close to the coast. Instinctively homing in on disturbances in the ocean, Tiger Sharks will sometimes congregate in groups to feast when easy prey is found. And while the Tiger Shark’s diet usually consists of: sea snakes, crustaceans, sea birds, and marine mammals, they have also been responsible for a large percentage of the recorded shark attacks upon humans.
Arguably the most dangerous of all the sharks, and another native living along the shores of Australia, are the Tiger Shark. Growing to over sixteen foot in length Tiger shark are solitary hunters, often found swimming close to the coast. Instinctively homing in on disturbances in the ocean, Tiger Sharks will sometimes congregate in groups to feast when easy prey is found. And while the Tiger Shark’s diet usually consists of: sea snakes, crustaceans, sea birds, and marine mammals, they have also been responsible for a large percentage of the recorded shark attacks upon humans.
And these are but a few of Australia’s most deadly animals, with other potentially dangerous animals including: feral pigs, ants, caterpillars, scorpions, leeches, cane toads, platypus, octopus, and jellyfish (amongst others). However, despite the presence of such a wide range of potentially hazardous inhabitants within Australia, you are still tens of thousands of times more likely to suffer harm or loss of life within a car crash, a thousand times more likely to take your own life through suicide, and roughly as likely to be killed having been struck by lightening.
So while animal attack upon humans in Australia is unlikely, and the loss of life following such an attack even less so. It is always worth making yourself aware of any threats that may surround you, so as to be able to either avoid them altogether, or be able to deal with them more proficiently, should you find yourself unlucky enough to come under attack by, natures tooth and claw.
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