Stranger danger

What is the deadliest animal on the planet? The answer will shock you!

When we think of the most dangerous species of the animal kingdom, the first things that come to mind are snakes, sharks, and crocodiles. While these animals are sometimes lethal to humans, others are even more so. Read on to discover 12 of the world's most terrifying animals. Some of them will probably shock you!

Hippos can be as adorable as they are dangerous. They love water and spend up to two-thirds of their day submerged in rivers and swamps in central and southern sub-Saharan Africa. But behind that gentle, easy-going image lies one of the most aggressive species —even more so than lions and rhinos— killing up to 500 people a year.

With long tusks, strong jaws, and a weight that can reach 5,000 lb, they do not hesitate to confront any species when it comes to guarding their territory. Although they may seem somewhat lazy, they are fast, strong, and territorial. So be respectful and do not disturb their habitat!

There are many dangerous snakes in the world, but the one you should be more cautious about is the Taipan. The inland Taipan, a species endemic to Australia and New Guinea, has the most lethal toxins, and its bite can kill a person in just 45 minutes. Fortunately, there is an antidote to counteract its venom!

This species and others as dangerous as the Black Mamba and the King Cobra are responsible for the death of no less than 80,000 to 130,000 people per year globally.

There are more than 350 species of sharks, but only three are responsible for the highest percentage of attacks on humans: the great white shark, the tiger shark, and the bull shark. Although sharks are dangerous, they are not the most lethal animal for humans. In the last century, there has been an average of only 6 fatal attacks per year, with Australia having the highest number of incidents.

As a matter of fact, despite their reputation as vicious predators in movies, they are often the victims. Sharks are heavily hunted for their skin, fins, meat, and even their organs.

This predatory arachnid arthropod is another of the most dangerous animals for humans: it kills approximately 5,000 people per year worldwide. Scorpions can live in a variety of habitats, from deserts to urban areas, and it’s common to find them under rocks, in crevices, or in construction debris.

However, of the more than 1,000 venomous scorpion species, only about 25 can be deadly to humans. The most venomous scorpion is the thick-tailed scorpion, responsible for 90% of the deaths caused by scorpion attacks in Africa.

In general, bees aren’t violent, but they should be treated with the utmost respect and care since they tend to act in self-defense. When they sting, they can cause anything from a minor injury to acute poisoning if the attack occurs on a person allergic to their venom.

The Apis mellifera scutellata (Africanized honey bee) are among the most fearsome because they act in swarms: although they attack only if provoked, their defense mechanism is so aggressive that they do not stop until they catch and sometimes kill their prey. In the United States alone, between 50 and 100 people die each year as victims of bee attacks.

Despite being carnivores and eating any animal they come across to satisfy their hunger, they kill far fewer people in the world than one might expect. In Tanzania, the birthplace of the African lion, about 22 humans die each year attacked by these animals and it is estimated that there are no more than 100 victims worldwide.

Not that lions are not to be feared: they attack in groups, are capable of running at a speed of 46.0 mph, and can digest 66 lb of meat in a single meal with their sharp teeth and particular claws. So, beware!

Although it’s not in their nature to attack their prey, jellyfish can be dangerous to humans. If you accidentally touch one while swimming, you will be stung and its tentacles will immediately release venom, in many cases even if the animal is dead.

Some species, such as the box jellyfish —found in Australia, the Philippines, and other tropical areas—, are the most lethal. They send out toxic stingers capable of stopping a person's heart in less than five minutes. Jellyfish stings affect hundreds of thousands of humans globally, and numbers indicate that up to 100 of those are fatal. Believe it or not, the smallest are the most poisonous!

Like most animals, spiders will attack only if they feel in danger. If they bite, many pose no threat to humans other than mild swelling or a rash. Others, however, carry deadly venom, such as the Brown Widow, the Red Widow, the Redback, and the Funnel-web spiders.

Fortunately, there are effective antidotes for almost all spider bites. Yet, at least 50 people die worldwide each year, 7 of them in the United States.

These ancient animals are the largest reptiles in the world —they can be up to 20 feet long and weigh over 2,200 lbs. Their powerful jaws and high-action speed make them terrifying to their prey, including humans.

The most dangerous are the saltwater species, abundant in swampy areas of Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and Africa. Saltwater crocodiles are responsible for at least 1,000 deaths annually, the highest number of victims for a large animal.

Did you know that there is a species of ant that releases a poison even more powerful than arsenic or cyanide? The bulldog ant, considered the most dangerous ant in the world, is solitary and aggressive. It lives in parts of Australia, and if it feels threatened, it can cling to its prey with its jaws and sting simultaneously, killing an adult in just 15 minutes.

Another ant to watch out for is the Siafu ant, also known as the army ant. Known for having larger mandibles than most insects of its size, it is found in West Africa and the Congo. This species of ant attacks in groups and can devour an animal a thousand times bigger than their size.

Although it may sound strange, man's best friend is the third-deadliest animal to humans. While deaths from dog attacks are uncommon, a bite from these animals can transmit a lethal disease.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 59,000 people die each year worldwide from rabies —95% of them in Asia and Africa— a virus transmitted by the saliva of unvaccinated dogs.

When you think of the most lethal animal to humans, what comes to mind? Perhaps a shark or any of the venomous creatures listed in this article, such as snakes and scorpions. Well, you’d be wrong. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the animal that threatens human life the most is none other than the mosquito.

Yes, this slender, long-legged little insect, whose buzzing sound is one of the most annoying sounds in the world, is the deadliest animal on the planet. Why? Because mosquitoes are vectors of many dangerous diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever. According to the WHO, mosquito-borne diseases cause some 700,000 deaths a year.

10 weird historical events that no one has been able to explain (yet)

Image: Walters Art Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who doesn't like a good mystery? And if the mystery isn’t a work of fiction but the result of a true story, even better! The great unsolved enigmas of history are absolutely fascinating. Some have been solved over time, but there are still many old secrets for which neither scientists nor historians have found an explanation—yet. Time-travel with us as we uncover 10 of the biggest historical mysteries that will probably never be cracked!

Image: Tanner, Henry S., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Bermeja Island is mentioned in navigation texts written by European travelers and appears in cartography from the 16th to 19th centuries. Old maps place it off the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula; however, multiple searches over the years have yielded no concrete evidence of its existence.

So, what happened to Isla Bermeja? Was it a cartographic error? Did it sink due to a tidal wave? Because of its geopolitical significance, some have even suggested that it was blown up by the CIA! A 2009 study by the Autonomous University of Mexico concluded that Isla Bermeja does not exist today, nor were any traces found at its supposed coordinates. Yet, it will forever remain a mystery that will surely keep many entertained.

Image: Credit: Big Ear Radio Observatory and North American AstroPhysical Observatory (NAAPO)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1977, Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope, used in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, detected a signal now known as the Wow! signal. While reviewing the data, astronomer Jerry R. Ehman noticed a sequence represented as "6EQUJ5." Baffled by the anomaly, he circled it and wrote "Wow!" in the margins.

The signal lasted 72 seconds and, unfortunately, has never been repeated. To this day, no one can fully explain the phenomenon, although some suggest it may have come from a man-made source. Still, the Wow! signal remains one of the strongest candidates for potential extraterrestrial contact ever detected.

Image: Edward S. Curtis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

How is it possible for an entire village to vanish without a trace? Believe it or not, this is said to have happened nearly a century ago. According to lore, a small Inuit village in Canada was well known among fur trappers who visited regularly to trade. But in 1930, something very strange supposedly occurred.

A hunter named Joe Labelle claimed he visited the village one day and couldn’t find a single person. Reports said there were guns and food left behind, and even claims that the graves in the cemetery were empty. A thorough investigation, however, found no conclusive evidence of what happened to the villagers. Some witnesses from nearby towns even reported seeing a huge green light. Theories ranged from mass migration to extraterrestrial abductions. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has since dismissed the case as an urban legend. Some still believe the story to be true.

Image: bbb

We know thousands of shipwreck stories, but this one is quite unique. The MV Joyita, designed to be nearly unsinkable, was found adrift in the South Pacific, practically unharmed, but the crew had disappeared completely.

In October 1955, the American merchant vessel left the port of Apia in Samoa with 16 crew members and 9 passengers bound for the Tokelau Islands. After days without news, a rescue mission was launched. Five weeks later, the Joyita was spotted more than 600 miles west of its intended route. The vessel was partially submerged, and there was no sign of the passengers or crew. Four tons of cargo and all three life rafts were missing. They were never seen again.

Image: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Do you know where one of the best-preserved mummies was found? Hint: not in Egypt. Xin Zhui, the Marquise of Dai during the Western Han Dynasty in China, was discovered in her tomb at Mawangdui 2,000 years after her death, along with hundreds of valuable documents and artifacts.

What makes this mummy so extraordinary is how well-preserved her body is. Her organs and veins remain intact, and she still has hair and even eyelashes. Scientists analyzed the fluid present in the coffin and discovered it was acidic and contained salt and magnesium. They believe this mysterious liquid may have been responsible for preserving Xin Zhui so well. What they don’t know is whether it was intentionally poured into the coffin or came from the body itself.

Image: Yoichi Okamoto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The United States has its fair share of presidents who died while in office, but none of our 45 presidents have ever disappeared without a trace. Did you know that this actually happened in The Land Down Under?

Harold Edward Holt was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1966 until his presumed death in 1967. He loved the ocean and spearfishing. During a weekend trip with friends, Holt visited the remote Cheviot Beach to take a swim. Rough sea conditions that day caused him to be swept away by the waves, and he never reappeared. Despite an intensive search, his body was never found, which has given rise to numerous conspiracy theories. Ironically, Australians built the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre in Melbourne in his honor.

Image: FBI, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Many famous criminals have managed to remain unidentified for decades, but the D.B. Cooper case is something else entirely. In 1971, Cooper boarded a flight from Portland to Seattle. Shortly after takeoff, he showed a flight attendant a device he claimed was a bomb and demanded four parachutes and $200,000 in cash.

The crew landed to meet Cooper’s demands in exchange for the passengers and then took off again. As the plane flew over southwestern Washington, Cooper jumped into the cold, rainy night carrying his haul. His whereabouts and true identity were never discovered, although it is likely he didn’t survive the jump. In 1980, some of the ransom money was found near the Columbia River. Although the FBI officially closed the case in 2016, amateur sleuths continue to try to crack it.

Image: Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Can you imagine an epidemic where the main symptom is uncontrollable dancing? Sounds like science fiction, doesn’t it? Yet this really happened during the Middle Ages. In 1518, a dancing plague struck Strasbourg, Alsace, in what is now France. This strange condition affected up to 400 people, making them dance frantically for weeks. It is said that some even died of heart attacks, exhaustion, or strokes.

Doctors and authorities tried all kinds of measures to stop the spread. They even banned music for a while! To this day, scientists are not certain what caused this bizarre condition: it may have been food poisoning from toxins in the ergot fungus, or perhaps a case of stress-induced mass hysteria.

Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Voynich manuscript is a codex written roughly 500 years ago in an unknown language and writing system by an anonymous author. Known as Voynichese, the manuscript was named after Wilfrid Voynich, a Polish bibliophile and antiquarian who purchased it in 1912.

Radiocarbon testing has shown that it dates to the early 15th century. Many cryptographers and codebreakers have attempted to decipher its roughly 240 pages without success. The manuscript contains diagrams and illustrations of unknown plants and astrological symbols. Some believe it may be a made-up language, a secret code, a work of fiction, or even a hoax. If you think you can solve this mystery, the Voynich manuscript is available for viewing at Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Image: Bernhard

Similar to the Voynich manuscript, the Phaistos Disc is a fired clay disc believed to have been created during the Bronze Age. It was discovered by an Italian archaeologist in the basement of a palace in Crete, Greece, in 1908.

What makes this disc fascinating is that it contains a mysterious message. Stamped into the clay is a set of signs, forming a text that many scientists have tried to decipher—without success. It is considered an early attempt at printing, a technological innovation that would not become widespread for several centuries. While enthusiasts still hope the enigma can be solved, this is unlikely unless other documents are discovered to provide context.