Dogs appear on the list because of the large number among us. | Image: monicore
The world is populated by all kinds of creatures that walk, fly, swim or crawl. Mother Nature has endowed some with effective defense or hunting mechanisms in charge of guaranteeing their survival .
The most dangerous and deadly animals in the world
The WHO published in 2014 the list with the 15 animals that kill the most humans. Some of them, you would not expect to have found here despite being extremely deadly:
15. Sharks
No one is surprised to find these fish on the list. While it is true that it is not all species,Some sharks such as the tiger, mako, bull or white shark are dangerous to man .
It would not be fair to ignore that not all attacks end in death; Well, after a first burst, the fish moves away, leaving its victim badly injured, which it normally confuses with a seal or sea lion , its usual prey.
That is why they occupy the last position with an average of ten deaths per year. Hence the saying “You are more likely to be struck by lightning than to be attacked by a shark”.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 10 .
14. Wolves
Wolves are carnivorous mammals that inhabit North America, Asia, the Middle East and some areas of Europe, including Spain. Protagonist of folk tales and legends, this organized hunter moves in packs led by a dominant or “alpha” male. They are very stealthy and have a great sense of smell , so they can easily find their prey and kill it after a coordinated attack.
Although they are not very frequent, there are records of attacks on human beings, some of which have ended in death.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 10 .
13. Elephant (Loxodonta africana/ Elephas maximus)
This distant cousin of the mammoth is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of deserts. Instead, his Asian brother is found on the island of Sri Lanka, south and northwest India. In both cases, the encounters with man are frequent, since these animals usually populate the cultivation and livestock areas .
Their great size and strength are an indicator that it is better to stay away from them the better. Farmers must be very careful when they enter the field for their work, because if someone unsuspecting ventures into their domain, the elephant will immediately perceive it thanks to its powerful sense of smell and will defend what is its to protect the young and the rest of the pack .
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 100.
12. Lions
The largest of the felines, known as the “king of the jungle”. Until the 19th century, the lion inhabited not only all of Africa, but also southern Europe. As the human being was expanding, this cat was losing territory. Now it can be seen in African reserves in Kenya and Tanzania (as well as a small redoubt in Gir National Park, India).
They usually live in herds with an authoritarian and fierce male who will not let anyone take away the throne. Therefore, he will kill and eat the pups that are not his .
The native tribes of the place, such as the Masai, are the ones who should be the most careful when they go out to hunt or work, so as not to come face to face with any lion that may be lying in wait.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 100.
11. Common Hippopotamus
This mammal is actually one of the most deadly in Africa. The so-called “sea horse” populates all the river basins of this continent up to the Mediterranean along the Nile.
It has jaws equipped with large canines and lower incisors capable of crushing bones at will . Its weight and enormous size contribute to increase its dangerousness.
Endowed with an enormous territorial instinct, he will oppose any stranger invading his pasture area. They are usually very aggressive with humans , even attacking small boats and ships.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 500.
10. Crocodile
The order of crocodiles has 23 families divided into 3 groups : crocodiles (15 species), caimans or alligators (7) and gharials (1).
The largest species (saltwater or marine crocodile), is distributed in Sri Lanka, Indochina, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea and Australia; and it receives its name because it is capable of swimming across the sea and away from the mainland.
The Nile crocodile (second in the largest position) inhabits the channels of this river and also of the sub-Saharan zone, including the island of Madagascar. An authentic martyrdom for zebras, nues and gazelles.
Finally, alligators or alligators are found in swampy areas of Florida and South America.
Crocodiles can pose a threat to humans, since there are settlements or populations near river areas, which are hunting and nesting grounds . These opportunistic reptiles will not think twice if they are presented with the chance of easy prey.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 1000.
9. Tapeworm
It is a ring-shaped worm that lodges in the intestine after the consumption of raw or undercooked meat (beef or pork) that is contaminated. It can measure from a few millimeters to more than ten meters in length; and absorbs the food consumed by its host. It transmits a disease called “cysticercosis” .
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 2000.
8. Ascaris Worm
On our list is another parasite, which you may have heard referred to as “roundworm” . In this case, the ascariasis infection is generated by the ingestion of drinks or food that contain ascaris (eggs of this worm), as well as by contact with fertilizers for crops that are infected. Although it is common in all ages, infants are a population at risk.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 2,500.
7. Cone snail
The only mollusk in the ranking is this snail from the Indo-Pacific tropics, which can also be seen in areas of the Atlantic (Mexico), the Caribbean or South America.
It is equipped with a stinger that it uses to hunt and injects its prey with a deadly poison . It is known as “cigarette snail”, since the estimated life time after a sting is the time it takes to smoke one. Nothing flattering.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 10,000.
6. Tse-tse fly (genus Glossina)
The infamous “kissing disease” is spread thanks to the bite of this flying insect. This ailment generates vomiting, dizziness, fainting and an itching sensation that can end up leading to more serious problems. Fortunately, currently the mortality caused by this epidemic is declining, although it continues to be an important cause of casualties.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 10,000.
5. Dog
¿Surprised?
It is not for less. “Man’s best friend” is how these distant relatives of the wolf are often nicknamed. Although there are vaccines for rabies, 99% of deaths from this disease are due to dogs . So be careful not to approach them, especially if they are strays.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 25,000 .
4. Triatomine (bug)
It is an insect that contains a parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi) carrier of “chagas”, a disease endemic to South America . Due to migratory movements, it has spread to Europe, which is why it has become a larger problem. According to the WHO, between 6 and 7 million people in the world would be affected by the parasite (about 80 thousand in Europe)
- Approximate number of deaths per year from Chagas: 50,000 .
3. Sea snake
This subfamily of snakes are easily recognizable by their flattened paddle-shaped tail; and they are all poisonous . They populate the Indo-Pacific regions and their food consists of fish or eels, crustaceans and molluscs or eggs, depending on the species.
When they bite, they inject a deadly poison that kills the person in a short time if an antidote is not administered. So we must travel with caution if we go to these paradisiacal areas far from the hand of man . The sea serpent is the deadliest snake of all.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 50,000 .
2. Being human
Another moment of glory for human beings… What can we say?
Our species has been responsible for erasing all kinds of creatures from the map, with arguments in favor of progress and expansion. And despite all the calls for attention from Nature, many continue with a speciesist attitude with which they believe they are legitimated to exercise dominion over the rest of the animals.
Plautus already said it (254-184 BC), “man is a wolf to man” and we add: with a strange gift for the destruction of everything that is beautiful.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 475,000 .
1. Mosquito
And we come to the climax of this account. Who has not ever been prey to the bite of this annoying flying insect
? Who has not woken up in the middle of the night by the incessant buzzing of their wings as they hover around our body in search of an ideal spot to suck our blood
? We are not only facing one of the nuisances of the winged fauna, but also the mosquitoes are the transmitters of diseases such as malaria or dengue , responsible for 37% of deaths in Africa between 2000 and 2015 in the first case; and in the second, the main cause of death in Asian and Latin American countries.
- Approximate number of deaths per year: 870,000 (429,000 from malaria alone).
