From mighty beasts to annoying insects, these are the ten most dangerous African animals.
Africa is an exotic continent celebrated for its vibrant culture, traditional ways of life, impressive landscapes, and dynamic wildlife.
Here we round up the ten most dangerous African animals and trust us: there will be a few surprises.
The World Bucket List’s top facts about the most dangerous African animals:
- The African elephant is the world’s largest land mammal. They are often quite friendly, but are very dangerous when they feel threatened.
- Nile crocodiles are the largest reptile on the continent. They are well known for their powerful bite that overpowers their prey.
- Three snakes appear on our list that have two different methods of killing their prey. The African rock python constricts and suffocates its prey, while the black mamba and the puff adder deliver a poisonous neurotoxin.
- The black rhinoceros is critically endangered due to poaching.
- Male mosquitos eat plant juices such as nectar. As such, they do not transmit malaria. On the other hand, females do as they eat human blood in order to produce eggs.
10. African Rock Python – an aggressive predator
The African rock python is a force to be reckoned with. And while it is, in fact, a non-venomous snake, it is also an aggressive predator which you’d be wise to keep a good distance from.
Stretching up to 19.6 feet (6 metres) in length, this snake is best left undisturbed. It ranks in stark contrast to some of the most cutest fish in the world and indeed the cutest snake breeds.
9. Elephant – keep distance from this gentle giant
As one of the amazing African safari animals, elephants are often seen as friendly giants, and while that’s true to a certain extent, these incredible creatures are also wild, willful, and one of the most dangerous African animals.
Weighing up to 7,000 kilograms, at around 13 feet (4 meters) in height, elephants are powerful beyond imagination. Approximately 500 people are killed each year by elephants, most of which result from being trampled.
8. Great White Shark – what lurks below the water
Although Hollywood blockbusters have taught us that great white sharks are human hunting predators, that is not the case. Sharks possess no natural instinct to hunt humans.
One of the most dangerous fish in the world, they remain one of the most deadly animals in Africa, however, as swimmers and surfers are commonly confused for seals or other marine creatures and are fatally bitten.
7. Rhinoceros – an icon of Africa
Weighing up to a whopping 2,800 kilograms, rhinoceros are among the most deadly species on the African continent.
With razor-sharp horns and a land speed of up to 64 kilometres (39.7 miles), these iconic creatures are not to be messed with.
6. Buffalo – the mighty beast
One of Africa’s Big Five game species – along with lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and elephant – these amazing safari animals are highly sought-after by safari sightseers and poachers alike.
Keep your distance, though: with aggressive horns and bodyweight of around 1.5 tons, African buffalos are a force to be reckoned with and one of the most deadly animals in Africa.
5. Black Mamba – the world’s fastest snake
The black mamba is the world’s fastest snake and one of the most dangerous African animals.
Not only are they the largest venomous snake on the continent and grow up to 8.2 feet (2.5 meters), but they can move at a whopping 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) per hour.
One bite alone carries enough venom to kill ten people, and 100% of bites are fatal if left untreated.
4. Crocodile – hidden in the depths
Hidden in the depths of murky water, shielding the sheer size of their reptile form from prying eyes, are crocodiles – one of the most dangerous African animals. The safest place to see them would be at a zoo.
Cunning and patient, they laze along banks with only their eyes above the waterline, waiting for unwitting prey to come closer before dragging them into the water to drown before they feast.
At approximately 2,267 kilograms, they kill up to 3,000 people a year making them one of the most deadly animals in Africa.
3. Hippopotamus – don’t let appearances fool you!
Indeed hippos have become synonymous with happy faces and docile characters thanks to children’s literature, but don’t let appearances fool you: they are one of Africa’s deadliest predators.
Killing up to 3,000 people per year on the continent, they are territorial beasts of both land and offspring, so remember to keep a safe distance from these mighty creatures.
2. Puff Adder – the venomous snake
The Puff Adder is Africa’s most venomous snake and is responsible for up to 32,000 fatalities per year; this is mainly due to its thriving population and widespread distribution across the continent.
Growing up to 3.2 feet (1 metre) in length, they lie still and placid, even when disturbed. This leads to many victims accidentally stepping on them and receiving a venomous bite. If left untreated, death is a certainty.
1. Mosquito – the mini but mighty
It may come as a surprise, but the mosquito is Africa’s most dangerous species and kills up to 1,000,000 people per year.
Mini but oh so mighty, this nuisance of an insect not only causes fatalities in the millions but is a huge carrier of disease across the world. It has been linked to Malaria, West Nile virus, Yellow Fever, Zika virus, and Dengue Fever.
Your questions answered about the most dangerous African animals
In this section, we answer some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions about the most dangerous African animals, as well as some that often appear in online searches.
What is the deadliest animal in the world?
Mosquitos are statistically the deadliest animal on earth. They cause between 750,000 and one million human deaths annually.
Which animal has the strongest venom?
The box jellyfish has the strongest venom. A victim of a box jellyfish sting can die within minutes.
What animal eats humans the most?
While not the deadliest animal, crocodiles actively eats humans more than any other animal does.
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