From an outdoor lover’s perspective, Australia is a great country to visit and explore. Across the country’s different climates, a variety of habitats both on land and at sea support groups of animals that, in many cases, cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Some of these creatures can cause great harm and it is important to recognise them. The following is a list of the most dangerous Australian animals: box jellyfish, honey bees, Irukandji, bull sharks, eastern brown snake, saltwater crocodiles, Sydney funnel web spider, blue-ringed octopus, coastal taipan and the common death adder. This list is a result of an analysis based on the combination of how threatening they are to humans plus the chances of bumping into them.
Similarly, there are cone shells, spotted brown snakes, mulga snakes, red-bellied black snakes, tiger sharks, tiger snakes, great white sharks, yellow-bellied sea snakes, blue bottles, common lionfish, and marine stingers. And the list can go on and on and on.
So, what do you consider a dangerous Australian animal?
I am considering the most dangerous animals based on how many human attacks or deaths per year they cause and how likely an attack is. Plus how severe it can be for a human being.
All about reputation
Some animals deserve their reputation, however, some others do not. For instance, great white sharks are responsible for an average of just one death annually around the globe. The opposite happens with the stinging stonefish. “It produces such mind-blowing agony that the body goes into shock and the person dies,” says associate professor Bryan Fry, a venom researcher at the University of Queensland, in Brisbane.
Talking about reputation… the inland Taipan
The most venomous snake in the world, the inland taipan, lives in Queensland’s South West. In spite of its reputation, there are no recorded deaths until this date caused by inland taipans because it is challenging to find. Therefore, inland taipans use their venom to kill rodents instantly, not giving them any chance to run away.
Why are honey bees on the list of most dangerous Australian animals?
Honey bees do not bite. However, they will deliver a painful sting in order to defend their colony. As a result, the venom from a honey bee sting can cause a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
Actually, honey bees cause twice the number of Hospital admissions as snake bites and the same number of deaths. And considering how close they can be to people, they are considered a threat to public health.
Embrace or worry?
It is undeniable that Australia is packed with dangerous animals. However, we should embrace the diversity of Australian wilderness, which is full of captivating colours, sounds, smells, and behaviours. If it wouldn’t be dangerous, it wouldn’t be Australia.
Ask Aussie Animals
Aussie Animals is a Free Voice App is available on Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. If you want to know more about dangerous animals, just ask: “Tell me something dangerous about crocodiles”.
