Dangerous animals

Brown Bear

Ursus arctos

The Brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a large bear species found across Eurasia and North America. In North America, the populations of Brown bears are called Grizzly bears, while the subspecies that inhabits the Kodiak Islands of Alaska is known as the...

Polar Bear

Ursus maritimus

The Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a hypercarnivorous bear found within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the largest extant bear species, as well as the largest extant land...

Black Mamba

Dendroaspis polylepis

The Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is a species of highly venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae. It is native to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is the second-longest venomous snake after the King cobra. Despite its reputation as a...

Common Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a large semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the Pygmy hippopotamus. Its name comes from the ancient Greek...

King Cobra

Ophiophagus hannah

The King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a highly venomous snake endemic to jungles in Southern and Southeast Asia. The sole member of the genus Ophiophagus, it is distinguishable from other cobras, most noticeably by its size and neck patterns. The...

American Bison

Bison bison

The American bison (Bison bison) is a species of bison native to North America. Sometimes colloquially referred to as buffalo (a distinct species of bovine), it is one of two extant species of bison, alongside the European bison. Once roaming in...

Australian Saltwater Crocodile

Crocodylus porosus

The Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest living reptile and crocodilian known. It was hunted for its skin throughout its range up to the 1970s and is threatened by illegal killing and habitat loss. It is regarded as dangerous to...

Nile Crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian that lives in freshwater habitats in Africa. There it is present in 26 countries. The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous species of crocodile and is responsible for hundreds...

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

A highly misunderstood animal, the Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) has the reputation of being cowardly and sly, but it is actually a fascinating and intelligent creature with a very interesting social system. It looks like a dog but is closer...

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

The Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus ) is a species of venomous, sometimes highly venomous, pit viper endemic to eastern North America. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous Northeastern United States and is second only...

Inland Taipan

Oxyuranus microlepidotus

The Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is an extremely venomous snake endemic to semi-arid regions of central east Australia. Aboriginal Australians living in those regions named the snake dandarabilla. It was first described by Frederick...

Sloth Bear

Melursus ursinus

The Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is a myrmecophagous bear species native to the Indian subcontinent. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, mainly because of habitat loss and degradation. When their territories are encroached upon by...

African Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are large, heavy cow-like animals native to Africa. They are widely regarded as among the most dangerous animals on the African continent, and according to some estimates they gore, trample, and kill over 200 people...

Russell's Viper

Daboia russelii

Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) is a venomous snake found in Asia. The species is named for Patrick Russell, a Scottish herpetologist who first described many of India's snakes. In Bengali, this snake is called Chandroborha since it carries...

Indian Cobra

Naja naja

The Indian cobra (Naja naja) is a large highly venomous snake and is a member of the "big four" species that inflict the most snakebites on humans in India. The Indian cobra is revered in Indian mythology and culture and is often seen with snake...

Fer-de-lance

Bothrops asper

The fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper) is a highly venomous pit viper species found from southern Mexico to northern South America. It is the most dangerous snake of Central and South America and is the main cause of fatal snakebite incidents within its...

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus adamanteus

The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is a species of venomous pit viper that is found only in the southeastern United States. It has the reputation of being the most dangerous venomous snake in North America.

Tiger Snake

Notechis scutatus

Tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) are large and highly venomous snakes of southern Australia. These snakes are locally well-known for their unusual coloration. They are usually ground-dwellers but also swim well and climb into trees and buildings.

Black Caiman

Melanosuchus niger

The Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is a large crocodilian and, along with the American alligator, is one of the largest extant members of the family Alligatoridae and order Crocodilia. The Black caiman is the largest predator in the Amazon...

Banded Krait

Bungarus fasciatus

The Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) is the largest species of kraits, with a maximum length up to 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in).Although the banded krait is venomous and its bite may be deadly to humans, it is shy, primarily nocturnal, and not particularly...

Egyptian Cobra

Naja haje

The Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) is one of the most venomous snakes in North Africa, which has caused many snakebite incidents to humans. It is one of the largest cobras on the African continent.

Eastern Green Mamba

Dendroaspis angusticeps

The Eastern green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) is a highly venomous snake native to the coastal regions of southern East Africa. It was described by Scottish surgeon and zoologist Andrew Smith in 1849. It is a shy and elusive snake that is rarely...

Common Death Adder

Acanthophis antarcticus

The Common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) is a species of death adder native to Australia. It is one of the most venomous land snakes in Australia and globally. It is widespread throughout its native range but is facing increased threat from...

Nose-Horned Viper

Vipera ammodytes

The Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes) is a venomous species found in southern Europe. It is reputed to be the most dangerous of the European vipers due to its large size, long fangs (up to 13 mm), and high venom toxicity. The specific name,...

Wood bison

Bison bison athabascae

The wood bison (Bison bison athabascae ) or mountain bison (often called the wood buffalo or mountain buffalo), is a distinct northern subspecies or ecotype of the American bison. Its original range included much of the boreal forest regions of...

Indian Saw-Scaled Viper

Echis carinatus

The Indian saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is a venomous viper species native to Asia. It is the smallest member of the big four snakes that are responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths.

Many-Banded Krait

Bungarus multicinctus

The Many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus) is a highly venomous species of elapid snake found in much of central and southern China and Southeast Asia. It was first described by the scientist Edward Blyth in 1861. Based on numerous studies, the...

Monocled Cobra

Naja kaouthia

The Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) is a venomous cobra species widespread across South and Southeast Asia. Some populations of the Monocled cobra have the ability to spit venom, earning them the name "Indian spitting cobra".

Philippine Cobra

Naja philippinensis

The Philippine cobra (Naja philippinensis ) is a highly venomous spitting cobra that defensively shoots its venom directly from its fangs. It was described by American herpetologist Edward Harrison Taylor in 1922.

Caspian Cobra

Naja oxiana

The Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana ), also called the Central Asian cobra, ladle snake, Oxus cobra, or Russian cobra is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Central Asia. Described by Karl Eichwald in 1831, it...

Western Green Mamba

Dendroaspis viridis

The western green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis ) is a long, thin, and highly venomous snake species of the mamba genus, Dendroaspis. This species was first described in 1844 by American herpetologist Edward Hallowell. The western green mamba is a...

Cape Cobra

Naja nivea

The Cape cobra (Naja nivea ), also called the yellow cobra, is a moderate-sized, highly venomous species of cobra inhabiting a wide variety of biomes across southern Africa including arid savanna, fynbos, bushveld, desert and semi-desert regions....

Jameson's Mamba

Dendroaspis jamesoni

Jameson's mamba (Dendroaspis jamesoni ) is a species of highly venomous snake native to equatorial Africa. A member of the mamba genus, Dendroaspis, it is slender with dull green upper parts and cream underparts and generally ranges from 1.5 to...

Black-Necked Spitting Cobra

Naja nigricollis

The black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis ) is a species of spitting cobra found mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. They are moderately sized snakes that can grow to a length of 1.2 to 2.2 m (3.9 to 7.2 ft) in length. Their coloration and...

Desert Cobra

Walterinnesia aegyptia

Walterinnesia aegyptia, also known as the desert cobra or desert black snake, is a species of venomous snakes in the family Elapidae that is native to the Middle East. The specific epithet aegyptia (“of Egypt”) refers to part of its geographic range.

False Water Cobra

Hydrodynastes gigas

Hydrodynastes gigas is a New World species of large, rear-fanged, dipsadidae snake endemic to South America. It is commonly and alternatively known as the false water cobra and the Brazilian smooth snake. The false water cobra is so named because...

Red Spitting Cobra

Naja pallida

The red spitting cobra (Naja pallida ) is a species of spitting cobra native to Africa.

Chinese Cobra

Naja atra

The Chinese cobra (Naja atra ), also called the Taiwan cobra, is a species of cobra in the family Elapidae, found mostly in southern China and a couple of neighboring nations and islands. It is one of the most prevalent venomous snakes in China and...

Blunt-Nosed Viper

Macrovipera lebetinus

Macrovipera lebetinus is a venomous viper species found in North Africa, much of the Middle East, and as far east as Kashmir. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate race described here.

Malayan Krait

Bungarus candidus

Bungarus candidus, commonly known as the Malayan krait or blue krait, is a highly venomous species of snake. The blue krait is a member of the genus Bungarus and the family Elapidae.

Dugite

Pseudonaja affinis

The dugite (Pseudonaja affinis ) is a species of venomous, potentially lethal, snake native to Western Australia, a member of the family Elapidae. The word 'dugite' is an anglicisation of names for the snake in some dialects of the Nyungar language,...

Black-Banded Sea Krait

Laticauda semifasciata

The black-banded sea krait (Laticauda semifasciata ), also known commonly as the Chinese sea snake or erabu, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Laticaudinae of the family Elapidae. In Japan it is known as erabu umi hebi (ja:エラブウミヘビ),...