Small but deadly, these jellyfish are the cause of more human deaths a year than sharks, crocodiles, and stonefish combined. Its poison is extremely potent. They are found mostly in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, with some species living in tropical and subtropical oceans including the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Be especially alert during the months between October and May, as this is when swimmers are at the highest risk. However, stings do occur all year round. The riskiest conditions are in calm water with a light, onshore breeze. Hey, that’s just how we like it too!
Blue Poison Arrow Frog
Their shiny blue color says it all: danger. With enough poison to wipe out 20,000 mice, and so tiny that they could fit on a human fingernail, this amphibian can kill a large animal just by touching it, as its poison is on their skin. Each frog has unique black spots, making it possible to distinguish between them.
They spend most of their day hopping around and being aggressive towards one another and to other animals. To fend off outsiders, they display a series of calls, chases, and wrestling.
Asian Lions
The king of the grasslands and the second-largest animal after the tiger, they are very dangerous and cause around 100 human deaths a year. They hunt in groups and usually go after vulnerable animals, like young and old members of the pack they are chasing.
These lions have a sparser mane than their African cousins. They live in and around Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat, western India.
Australian Funnel Web Spider
This spider won the Guinness Book of World Records as the most poisonous spider on the planet. This spider sometimes wanders around in homes and cars. They produce venom that is extremely toxic to humans and can cause severe injuries to victims.
Not to be confused with the Sydney funnel spider (also featured on this list), they also have very large and powerful fangs that are capable of piercing fingernails and soft shoes. Luckily, the introduction of antivenom has reduced the danger. In any case, be alert.
Centipede
Fortunately, they aren’t deadly to humans, but you do need to watch out for your children. Their venomous glands can be harmful to the young ones. While their bite is rarely fatal, it can cause severe swelling, chills, fever, and weakness. This species is common in the U.S.
Despite their name, they have between 30 to 354 legs, always displaying an odd number of pairs of legs. They are found everywhere from the Arctic Circle to tropical rainforests and deserts. They are also found in soil, leaf litter, logs, and under stones and dead wood. They look for a moist habitat due to their lack of a waxy cuticle that other insects have, which causes them to rapidly lose water.