- 1 year ago
From tiny parasites to massive predators, the animal kingdom harbors countless deadly threats! Join us as we count down the most harmful creatures on Earth. Our list includes fearsome carnivores, venomous insects, and stealthy marine life that all pose serious danger to humans—with one surprising creature taking the top spot!
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00:00This would have to be the best wildlife encounter in India, just right there in front of us.
00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most harmful creatures
00:11on the planet. This is the time of year, the male bears spar.
00:19Number 50, Bison. Upon first glance, they may come across as gentle giants. However,
00:25seeing bison react to people provoking them proves they're anything but.
00:29Oh my god.
00:33Using their immense size and sharp horns, they can easily ram and gore anyone who they feel gets too
00:38close. If you believe you can outrun them, think again. They can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per
00:44hour. If one has you in their sights, then there's a chance you've already been marked as a threat.
00:49I thought my back would be broken. It hit me that hard.
00:52At that point, your safest bet is to slowly back away and hope for the best. With attacks happening
00:57multiple times every year, it's no wonder they're seen as one of the most dangerous animals in North
01:02America. Number 49, African Crested Rat. Even the smallest creatures can hide unknown dangers.
01:08Have a look at this. Oh, it's very sweet. Look how cute it is.
01:13At just over a foot long, the African Crested Rat may not look intimidating, but that doesn't mean you
01:18should get close. They use the bark of the aptly named Poison Arrow Tree to coat their hair, which
01:24they then use as a defense mechanism when hunted. On this part of its body, the hairs have special
01:30adaptations which allow them to take up the poison. Predators that bite them can get sick or even die
01:36themselves. While these rodents may not have caused a human death yet, it's definitely within the realm of
01:42possibility. So despite how cute they look, we advise you to admire them from afar instead.
01:48Number 48, Human Botflies. Some things are so horrifying, they'll make you never want to go
01:54outside again. The botfly's ability to lay their larvae inside human skin makes it a firm addition to
02:01that category. They are, I want to tell you, horrible. As if being treated as a living incubator wasn't
02:07terrifying enough, there's also a chance that the lesions they leave behind could become infected.
02:11Should you become an unfortunate victim to this bug, then immediate removal is the best option.
02:20Even that comes with risks, as it's easy for tiny pieces of the maggot's body to be left inside the
02:25wound. No matter what extraction process is used, watching it come out of you will make you feel
02:30like you're living in a horror movie. Number 47, Dingo. Dogs may be man's best friend,
02:36but this is one canine you'll want to steer clear of.
02:41Native to Australia, dingoes are built for speed and can be wildly unpredictable. Though attacks
02:48against humans are not very common, when they do occur, they can turn fatal. Children in particular
02:53are at the biggest risk of being attacked by them. A large factor in their potential danger comes from
03:00people acting too comfortable around them and getting too close, causing some to lash out and
03:04defend themselves. So while they may not be the most menacing animal from Down Under, we'd still
03:09recommend keeping your distance. Number 46, Africanized Honeybee. What started as an attempt to increase
03:17honey production ended as a lesson in the dangers of crossbreeding.
03:20These firefighters are not fighting a fire. They're spraying foam and pesticide where swarming bees
03:26attacked a landscaping crew. One person was killed. In 1956, experts began to breed honeybees with a more
03:33aggressive species from Africa in order to raise production. Almost immediately, some of the offspring
03:38escaped and began to rapidly expand their numbers. When it comes to these so-called killer bees, what's the
03:43one thing you never want to do? You don't want to mess with them at all. The end result was a large
03:49amount of Africanized bees that would do anything to protect their hive, including immediately swarming
03:54and attacking those who got too close. People who have fallen victim to them have been stung hundreds
03:59of times. Attempting to kill one will only release a scent that attracts even more to you, so all you can
04:05do is try to run for cover.
04:06They're constantly smashing into my veil. I can hear them. And they're constantly stinging my gloves.
04:15There's dozens of stingers in there.
04:17Number 45, Stonefish. Watch where you step. Even something as simple as a walk through the wrong
04:22stretch of the sea could result in serious injury or death. To the casual observer, not much is taking
04:28place in these waters. But it only appears that way. The stonefish is the most venomous of its kind,
04:35wielding verruca toxin as a way of protecting itself. They blend in perfectly with the ocean floor,
04:40making it easy to accidentally step on one and be infected by their spines. Those that do need to
04:46seek immediate medical care or else run the risks of necrosis, inflammation, and in severe cases,
04:52death. Don't think you're safe on the beach either, as they can survive up to a full day outside of the
04:57water. Number 44, Ascaris roundworm. These are truly the stuff of nightmares.
05:03Having a parasite inside you is something you'd hope would be a rare occurrence,
05:07but with the number of human infections reaching the billions, that sadly isn't the case.
05:11In a world first, a neurosurgeon in Australia has removed a worm found alive in a woman's brain.
05:19Much like the dreaded tapeworm, the Ascaris roundworm makes its way into a host's body through dirty water
05:24and soil. From there, they feed off their victim, breed, and cause a disease known as Ascaris.
05:30Most infections are mild, but if left untreated, it can spread to another part of the body.
05:36Symptoms often mimic those of other digestive issues, making it harder to catch until it becomes more
05:41severe. Alarmingly, over 85% of people don't have symptoms at all, meaning the worm can continue to
05:48use them as a host indefinitely. Number 43, Tasmanian Devil.
05:53When looking at the name, you may immediately be reminded of the hilarious Looney Tunes character.
06:04However, a negative encounter with a real one would be the furthest thing from comedy.
06:09Tasmanian Devils don't typically attack humans. That doesn't mean you should get too close though.
06:14They have the strongest bite of any carnivorous mammal relative to their size.
06:18The devil's bite force comes from a powerful upper body design. The Tazi's massive head is
06:24disproportionately larger than the rest of its torso and supports an unusually prominent and powerful
06:31mouth. They also have the ability to open their jaws at a seemingly impossible 80 degree angle and
06:37can easily bite through skin and bone. Should they feel genuinely threatened by a person,
06:42then they may not hesitate to prove it. Number 42, Freshwater Snails.
06:47This is a case of the animal itself not being dangerous, but rather the things they casually carry.
06:52While most would agree that freshwater snails themselves pose no physical harm,
06:56they do run the risk of carrying a litany of various harmful parasites.
07:00These so-called Fogtels acarii then break out of the snail into the water and start looking for their
07:05final host, for which they are now specifically adapted for. They have around 48 hours to do so before
07:10they're dying. All it takes is coming across water contaminated with these snails to contract one
07:15of them. As soon as someone touches the water, the worms exit the snail and enter the human instead,
07:21where they can live uninterrupted for decades. One of the worst is Schistosomiasis, which has infected
07:27over 200 million people and kills up to 200,000 per year.
07:32People with Schistosomiasis can suffer from fever, blood in their urine, and stunted growth.
07:40Later in life, some of their organs may even stop working.
07:43Number 41, Australian Funnel Web. Evolution has a funny way of working sometimes.
07:49Over time, the Australian Funnel Web spider's venom has evolved to be the most effective on
07:54invertebrates and primates. This has made humans the ultimate victim. All it takes is a single
08:05bite to completely ruin one's day, or even take their life. The symptoms start off relatively mild,
08:18with things like watery eyes and an increased heart rate. They quickly accelerate, leading to
08:24the inflicted person falling unconscious, having dilated pupils, or even dying. The conditions can
08:29escalate over a span of minutes to days. Prior to 1981, this led to numerous deaths. Since the
08:36creation of an antivenom, death is extremely unlikely as long as the person bitten seeks instant medical
08:42attention. Number 40, Gorilla. This will hopefully serve as a lesson to those who sincerely believe they
08:48and 99 others could take one on. Like many other creatures, gorillas won't attack unless they feel
09:00provoked. Bothering them could be the last thing you ever do. Silverbacks in particular have immense
09:06stature and strength, which can be used against anything they perceive as a threat.
09:09One zookeeper was bitten and swung around by her arm, causing it to fracture. Some gorillas have even
09:20broken the glass of their enclosures, proving that if they really wanted to, they could escape.
09:28While the chances are small, if you happen to come across one in the wild, just be as respectful as
09:33possible before making a hasty exit. Number 39, Common Vampire Bat. Despite the name,
09:40their danger doesn't come from having one's blood drained. Instead, their bite poses an entirely
09:45separate risk. It can tell where the warm blood runs close to the skin, thanks to heat sensors near
09:52its nose. Common Vampire Bats are one of the largest carriers of rabies, which they then redistribute
09:58throughout Central and South America. They sometimes infect cows with it, which can lead to
10:13food sources being depleted for those living in the region. The risk doesn't stop there.
10:18Some have been the hosts for other diseases from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome to Coronavirus.
10:23I think that is pretty accepted that the viruses are very likely coming from bats.
10:28What makes things worse is that if the victim is asleep when the bat bites,
10:32they might not even feel it, meaning they could be sick and not know until it's too late.
10:37Number 38, Asian Elephant. Some animals are dangerous because their instincts drive them to be,
10:43while others only become dangerous when they're forced into contact with humans.
10:46For thousands of years, Asian elephants and humans have coexisted peacefully. However,
10:56a sharp increase in deforestation and industrialization has shrunk their native habitats,
11:02pushing the gentle giants into our living spaces. Over the last decade alone,
11:06over 100 people have met their fate by crossing paths with a wild elephant.
11:10Wild elephants in southwest China's Yunnan province have killed two people recently.
11:15The animals also wander around at night, eating crops and destroying farms. There's no official
11:21solution yet, but a concerted effort to give them their own territory could be the answer.
11:26Number 37, Indian Saw Scaled Viper. There are several species of dangerous snakes,
11:32but few come close to being as deadly as this one.
11:34When you first spot an Indian Saw Scaled Viper, you may assume that its small size
11:45won't make it much of a threat.
11:46Bingo! A Saw Scaled Viper. The second deadly contender I hope we might find.
11:51Yet the snake is believed to cause far more deaths than any other snake species in its native range,
11:57with only its relative, the Carpet Viper, coming close. It can inject up to 12 milligrams of poison,
12:03over double the amount it takes to kill an adult.
12:05It's supposed to lose between 20 and 50,000 people every year to snake bite.
12:10The bite can affect the entire limb, getting worse and worse as the hours go by.
12:14While there is an anti-venom that helps in most cases, about 20% of people bitten will pass away.
12:21Number 36, Chimpanzee. Being evolutionarily similar to us doesn't make them any safer to be around.
12:27The savage surprise attack by two chimps on an American graduate student,
12:32Andrew Oberle, is out of critical condition.
12:34Chimpanzees are known to have an incredibly aggressive side, both against other animals
12:39and humans. Many are twice as strong as most people, making them almost impossible to fight off.
12:45The chimpanzee jumped onto the bonnet of the vehicle, started slamming the bonnet,
12:50and then started breaking through the windshield of my vehicle.
12:53There have been several cases of chimps mauling adults and even eating babies.
12:58The most infamous case was a chimp named Travis, who was kept as a pet and attacked a woman,
13:03causing her to lose her hands, nose and eyes.
13:06It isn't just the captive ones you have to worry about.
13:09Wild chimps who see humans as competition will also become violent towards them,
13:13so it's best to keep a safe distance either way.
13:22Number 35, Hyena. With all the other dangerous creatures that call Africa their home,
13:26these animals may not even be on your radar.
13:28However, hyenas are much more harmful to us than you may think.
13:32A hyena entered into a village in Madhya Pradesh's Panna and created ruckus in broad daylight,
13:37leaving villagers into a state of panic.
13:39Some have become man-eaters, particularly during times of war when there are more human corpses
13:44readily available. In modern times, they have also attacked those who sleep outside,
13:49including one case where a man was scalped by one as he slumbered.
13:53There have even been cases of children being snatched and dragged off by them.
13:57With people continuing to expand our territory into theirs,
14:00there is a chance that these assaults will only get worse.
14:04Number 34, Tiger Shark.
14:06When it comes to ocean predators, most species will do their best to ignore you,
14:10while others will go out of their way to ruin your day.
14:18Tiger sharks are responsible for more attacks against humans than almost any other shark species,
14:24second only to great whites.
14:26The paddleboard got like a boost forward because of just the strength of this.
14:30This animal.
14:31Some can grow over 16 feet long and they often swim into shallow waters.
14:36This makes it easy for them to come into contact with people that just want to enjoy their day at the beach.
14:41Look at this, that 20-foot tiger shark caught on drone video just lurking in the waters.
14:47They also have extremely sharp serrated teeth that are made to easily slice through prey and will do copious damage.
14:54Number 33, Leopard.
14:56When thinking about dangerous big cats, leopards may not be the first to cross your mind due to their slightly smaller size.
15:02But they are the last creature you want to underestimate.
15:09Throughout history, there are reports of leopards who have killed over a hundred people.
15:13They have an affinity for hunting primates and some even take down animals that are much larger than they are.
15:19Their ability to climb also makes them more threatening than other felines and they can easily blend into most backgrounds.
15:26In many cases, you might not even know one was there until it's too late.
15:38Mosquitoes deservedly get plenty of flack, but they aren't the only deadly insect around.
15:43The African tsetse fly poses almost as much risk and in a much more insidious way.
15:48I just started to feel very, very weak.
15:51One day you wake up and you're just, you're so weak that you can't hardly get out of bed.
15:55Their large size and proboscis makes them stand out among other bugs and they use the latter to unknowingly ruin lives.
16:02They're often the carriers of trypanosomiasis, otherwise known as sleeping sickness.
16:07Those who are infected with it experience headaches and itchiness, which devolve into numbness and a lack of sleep.
16:17Some people may even be infected for years before the end stage arrives.
16:21This has led to the implementation of tsetse eradication plans, which have slowly but surely yielded positive results.
16:30It is the largest feline found in the Americas and it's also one of the most dangerous.
16:37They can easily traverse land, tree or water, making it nearly impossible to flee from one.
16:50Their strong jaws and large teeth can pierce through the hardest of materials,
16:53which makes it easy for them to bite through skulls and kill their prey.
16:57Jaguar attacks on humans are pretty rare since they don't see us as prey and would prefer to just steer clear.
17:02But some occasionally do go after people, from farmers to tourist groups.
17:07Number 30. Ticks
17:09They may be small, but never underestimate the danger these tiny insects can pose to humans.
17:14Summertime means more time outdoors.
17:17And that means more chances for tick bites and the risk of Lyme disease.
17:21Ticks are a species of arachnid that can transmit a number of diseases to humans,
17:25including typhus and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
17:28Additionally, certain subspecies of ticks, such as those found in Australia,
17:32can even cause temporary paralysis with their bites.
17:35After she found a tick buried in her hair.
17:37To make matters worse, the extremely tiny size of most ticks makes them difficult to find at first glance.
17:44This means that many victims of a tick's feeding process may not discover these parasites until it's too late,
17:50and a trip to the emergency room is on the horizon.
17:53Number 29. Nile Crocodile
17:55There's a very good reason why certain mythological creatures from ancient Egypt
17:59so often take the forms of animals, such as the hippopotamus or a crocodile.
18:11This is because these sorts of animals were often seen as river killers, sources of fear and awe.
18:17Perhaps this also applies to the fearsome reputation of the Nile crocodile,
18:21which consumes more human victims than nearly every other example of its species.
18:25This is what I've come to see, the wild behavior of the Nile crocodile.
18:31These man-eaters dwell primarily within African countries, including along the Nile in Egypt,
18:36albeit in historically smaller numbers.
18:39We can't personally think of any place we'd want to run into this toothy beast, however.
18:43This has been the most awesome thing in my entire life.
18:47Have a look at this. Check out behind it.
18:50If I was James Bond, I could run out. Check him out. Like Steppenstein's.
18:54Number 28. Assassin Bugs
18:56There are a lot of subdivisional categories out there of the Regiviety,
19:00a family of predatory bugs that are known for ambushing their prey and spreading disease.
19:05These assassin bugs are specifically known for passing along Chagas disease,
19:18a curious contagion with wide-ranging effects.
19:21Those afflicted with Chagas disease may not initially see symptoms greater than some swelling
19:25or pain at the bite point.
19:27Chagas disease does have some very recognizable signs, but they're rare.
19:32However, those that are left untreated could potentially see nerve damage or even heart
19:36disease later on in life as a result of an assassin bug attack.
19:40Number 27. Indian Red Scorpion
19:43An encounter with any kind of scorpion probably isn't ideal,
19:47but the Indian Red Scorpion is on a whole other level.
19:50This one, the Indian Red Scorpion, takes the prize as the most lethal of all.
19:56This dangerous arachnid is one of the deadliest of its kind,
19:59possessing a painful sting that afflicts its victims with multiple horrible symptoms.
20:04These include but are not limited to vomiting, sweating, shock, breathlessness,
20:09and a racing or abnormal heart rate.
20:11In countries like India, scorpion stings are a serious public health issue.
20:15Indian Red Scorpions have been known to tragically take the lives of children within their native
20:20India, although survival is achievable as long as the patient receives immediate medical attention.
20:26Number 26. Inland Taipan
20:29Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
20:31I hate snakes, Jacques! I hate them!
20:35The Inland Taipan is an extremely venomous serpent that's found primarily within Australia.
20:40But one bite from the Inland Taipan, which only releases about 44 milligrams of venom on average,
20:47could kill up to 220,000 mice.
20:51The toxicity of the Inland Taipan's venom is the strongest of its kind,
20:55with a single bite possessing enough lethal killing power to fell a hundred humans.
20:59Thankfully, the Inland Taipan's inherently reclusive nature means that it usually seeks to
21:04avoid a confrontation rather than instigate one.
21:07This latter approach can also be found in its cousin, the Coastal Taipan,
21:11which actively acts aggressively towards human invaders.
21:14That's a Taipan.
21:19This essentially means that one should avoid
21:21any contact with either of these dangerous slithering animals.
21:25Number 25. Blue Ringed Octopus.
21:28The world of dangerous octopi is one that's usually reserved for movies,
21:32such as the one designed by Ray Harryhausen for the film It Came From Beneath the Sea.
21:44The reality, however, is that the Blue Ringed Octopus exists,
21:48and it arrives armed with a powerful neurotoxin.
21:51The demeanor of the Blue Ringed Octopus is similar to that of the Inland Taipan,
21:55in that it generally doesn't seek out attention.
21:57However, if it's disturbed, beware.
22:07The bites of these underwater animals are not very painful,
22:10but this aforementioned neurotoxin is deadly,
22:13and can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death only mere moments after contact.
22:18It's like all kinds of emotions right now.
22:21Number 24. Anacondas.
22:23The lethality of anacondas, thankfully, doesn't really apply to humans,
22:27since these aggressive predators don't, as a rule, seek us out for confrontations.
22:39That said, these powerful serpents are still incredibly dangerous members of the animal kingdom,
22:44thanks to their incredible constrictive prowess.
22:47They can hunt and kill animals much larger than they are,
22:50including sheep and even jungle cats such as jaguars.
22:53The jaguar senses danger, but can't see the anaconda.
22:57That's not too shabby, considering anacondas actually aren't even venomous.
23:01Interactions between humans and anacondas may not occur as often as they do in the movies,
23:06but the curious can rest assured knowing that these apex predators almost always come out on top.
23:17Number 23. Komodo dragon.
23:22Speaking of apex predators, the Komodo dragon is the king of the hill when it comes to modern-day tyrant lizards.
23:28They are the largest living example of the lizard species today,
23:36and dominate hunting grounds and food chains wherever they're found, primarily within the island of Indonesia.
23:42They're known to hunt by stealth, utilizing patients to pounce and tear open their victims.
23:48The Komodo dragon is also known to scavenge graves for carrion or eat basically whatever's in front of it during its sparse feeding times.
23:55This lengthy time between hunts thankfully lowers the Komodo dragon's historical relationship with humans,
24:05although encounters between the two have been known to be fatal.
24:09Number 22. Golden Poison Frog.
24:12It just sort of says it all right in the name, doesn't it?
24:14He's so much more orange than I thought.
24:17Oh my god!
24:20The golden poison frog possesses one of the most intense and potent toxins in the world.
24:24The danger here lies within the frog's actual skin, meaning that one needs to either touch or eat the golden poison frog in order for this toxin to take effect.
24:33By the time Alonzo hands the frog to me, I need gloves to prevent even the tiniest amount of the toxin seeping into my bloodstream through my skin, or I'd be dead.
24:44Should this occur, however, the secretion of its Batrica toxin will cause paralysis, respiratory failure and death in a most dramatic and painful fashion.
24:53The golden poison frog is found primarily within the Colombian rainforest, but their deadly and dangerous reputation endures far beyond the confines of the underbrush.
25:02Number 21. Cone Snail.
25:04The tiny, humble snail may not be the first animal that comes to one's mind when thinking about danger levels, but therein lies the irony.
25:11This siphon acts as a breathing tube. And a warning. Emerging from the sediment is its owner. A six inch long toxic killer.
25:23The cone snail is beautiful on the outside, but deadly on the inside, since these underwater creatures are extremely poisonous.
25:30Some smaller species possess little danger to humans, but the larger and more aggressive examples often employ tiny harpoon projectiles that can pierce even protected divers.
25:40Made of modified tooth, the harpoon can be launched by a quick muscular contraction.
25:45These stings then transmit the cone snail's potent toxin, which causes numbness, swelling, blurred vision, paralysis, and eventually death. There is no known anti-venom.
25:56Number 20. Killer Whale.
25:59Also known as orcas, or the wolves of the sea, killer whales earn the killer in their name.
26:05These highly intelligent apex predators hunt a variety of prey, ranging from fish and seals to even sharks and whales.
26:16While there have been some incidents between wild killer whales and people, fatal attacks have yet to be recorded.
26:22However, it's a different story for killer whales in captivity.
26:26With no apparent warning, the killer whale grabs his feet and pulls him underwater for close to a minute.
26:32Then it brings him to the surface where the trainer pets the whale, tries to calm it.
26:37Since the late 1960s, there have been dozens of incidents involving captive killer whales attacking humans.
26:43These have resulted in injuries and even fatalities, generating lots of discussion surrounding the controversy of keeping them in captivity.
26:50One killer whale in particular, known as Tilikum, was involved in the deaths of three people, including two of his trainers.
27:03Number 19. Deathstalker Scorpion.
27:06This little guy is one of the reasons scorpions have such a bad rap, as it's responsible for three-quarters of scorpion-related deaths annually, with young children and the elderly especially at risk.
27:18The third most venomous scorpion in the world, the Deathstalker's venom is extremely potent and painful, and is actually resistant to treatment.
27:27Though healthy adults won't necessarily die from its sting, much anti-venom would likely be required.
27:33It's found primarily throughout North Africa and the Middle East, so if you're in the neighborhood, watch out.
27:39Number 18. Cassowary.
27:41If you're looking for proof that birds are related to dinosaurs, look no further than the cassowary.
27:47Armed with powerful legs and dagger-like claws, the cassowary can deliver a kick that will break bones and slice through flesh.
27:55While these large birds are cautious around humans, more than a hundred instances of people being attacked by cassowaries have been reported, most of which involved food.
28:04Thankfully, fatalities are rare.
28:06Though it's possible for the cassowary to be partially domesticated, owning one can still be dangerous.
28:12In April 2019, a Florida man was killed by a cassowary he raised when it fatally injured him after he fell down.
28:19We believe he went in there to recover that egg, and then at some point the bird was able to make its attack.
28:26The cassowary's potential for harm has earned it the title of the world's most dangerous bird.
28:31Number 17. Pufferfish.
28:34While not the biggest or most ferocious entry on our list, the pufferfish is nevertheless extremely dangerous.
28:40If inflating its body doesn't discourage predators, then its high levels of toxicity sure do.
28:46Pufferfish possess tetrodotoxin, which is over a thousand times more lethal than cyanide.
28:59A single pufferfish has enough tetrodotoxin to kill 30 adult humans.
29:03In Japan, pufferfish known as fugu are considered a delicacy.
29:16But, only licensed chefs are allowed to prepare it, as even the slightest mistake could prove fatal.
29:22In 1958, the number of people who died from fugu poisoning peaked at 176, but has decreased over time,
29:37with about 20 fatalities being reported in Japan since the turn of the 21st century.
29:42To this day, no known antidote exists.
29:49Number 16. Cape Buffalo.
29:52When you think of the most dangerous animals in Africa, the Cape Buffalo may not be your first or even fifth thought.
29:59They're responsible for hundreds of deaths every year, however, and eagerly go after jeeps and trucks, overturning them with ease.
30:06They're sometimes referred to as the Black Death, and have been known to fight off crocodiles and lions.
30:13Their ability to run at 40 miles an hour, despite weighing 2,000 pounds, makes them one of the most dangerous animals in not only Africa, but the entire world.
30:23Number 15. Japanese Giant Hornet.
30:27Afraid of Bugs?
30:28Then, these hornets are your worst nightmare.
30:32One by one, they're picked off.
30:37The largest of its kind on Earth, Japanese giant hornets are feared for their highly potent venom, which can kill a person if stung enough times.
30:46Even if the venom doesn't kill right away, those unfortunate enough to be stung by one are forced to endure intense, searing pain.
30:54On average, these insects kill an estimated 10 to 50 people a year in Japan, and injure many more.
31:01The goal is to eradicate it now while the population is presumably small.
31:05Recently spotted in the United States, this invasive species poses a significant threat to honeybee populations and the larger ecosystem.
31:14With such a terrifying reputation, it's no wonder they were given the nickname Murder Hornets.
31:19Number 14. Grizzly Bear.
31:22Weighing between 400 to 800 pounds on average, the grizzly bear is a force to be feared.
31:29While they may not actively hunt humans, urban expansion into their territory has made grizzlies more dangerous, as they've come to associate humans with food.
31:38While rare, attacks from grizzlies are often fatal.
31:42Mother grizzlies are especially dangerous, as they're more likely to attack if they feel their cubs are threatened.
31:53Along with their enhanced sense of smell and powerful claws, grizzlies can easily outrun humans and have a bite force strong enough to crush bowling balls.
32:03And there was no time to even turn to spray, there was no time to get to my pistol.
32:08It was like I just turned like this and she pretty much knocked me to the ground.
32:12When heading out to grizzly country, knowing how to navigate an encounter with one could mean the difference between life and death.
32:18Just like pull it back in and I'm just trying to keep everything protected.
32:22And it was kind of like a sledgehammer with teeth.
32:25Number 13. Brazilian Wandering Spider.
32:28Unlike most spiders, this creepy crawly does not make its home in a web or lair.
32:34Rather, it lives a nomadic lifestyle, hunting and ambushing its prey.
32:43This makes the Brazilian wandering spider even more dangerous, as it often wanders into human settlements.
32:48Known for hiding in dark places such as boots and shoes, these spiders thus bite people in self-defense.
32:54Afterwards, it can result in a total destruction of someone's sex life for the rest of their life.
32:59While its venom can be treated with anti-venom, it is still the most potent poison of any spider.
33:05It directly targets the nervous system, which can potentially be fatal, making it extremely dangerous, especially for children.
33:16We'd expect nothing less from a spider whose genus translates to murderous.
33:21Number 12. African Elephant.
33:23Elephants are one of the most popular creatures on the planet, but that doesn't make them any less dangerous.
33:28They've been known to become extremely aggressive without warning, making them one of the more unpredictable animals on the planet.
33:35This is especially dangerous because they frequently come into contact with people through safaris and other ventures.
33:41It seems like at least once a year there's a story about an elephant wandering into a village and trampling dozens of people.
33:48Number 11. Honey Badger.
34:00Considered the most fearless animal alive by the Guinness Book of World Records, the Honey Badger is one of nature's most relentless hunters.
34:07It possesses powerful claws and fangs that can break open tortoise shells.
34:12Here comes another one. Here comes another one.
34:15It also has a strong resistance to venom.
34:18And a loose but thick hide, tough enough to resist blows from a machete.
34:23The Honey Badger won't hesitate to challenge and even repel much larger predators such as leopards and lions.
34:29The Afrikaans' name is rattle, and it must be from the noise that they make.
34:33It's this...
34:34They rattle a lot when they are agitated.
34:38And it's quite a fearsome noise to hear, so it intimidates the lions, I'm sure.
34:42They're also highly intelligent, or can escape from or break into secure enclosures.
34:48Because they often attack livestock and bee farms, they increasingly get into conflicts with humans.
34:53She goes up to the top, she pulls the second one out.
34:56And then he pulls it open.
35:02When provoked, they are terrifying, and will fight to the death if escape is impossible.
35:08Honey Badger don't care.
35:09Number 10. Hippopotamus
35:12While hippos may not necessarily come across as an extremely dangerous animal,
35:16they are aggressive and have been known to attack people without provocation.
35:21They are usually found in Africa, and are one of the larger animals responsible for killing the most humans on that continent.
35:27Despite weighing several thousand pounds, a hippo can run as fast as 20 miles per hour, and has an extremely powerful mouth.
35:36They can decimate safari vehicles without breaking a sweat.
35:40Number 9. Saltwater Crocodile
35:43The largest reptile in the world, saltwater crocodiles are extremely dangerous, and are responsible for attacking hundreds of people every year.
35:52They're found all over the world in all sorts of habitats, including both saltwater and freshwater.
35:57They have the strongest bite of any animal currently in existence, with their jaws capable of applying over 3,500 pounds of pressure per square inch.
36:11They have an alarming tendency to consider humans as their prey, although only if we venture into their territory.
36:18Number 8. Bull Shark
36:20Alongside great white and tiger sharks, the bull shark is one of three shark species most likely to attack humans unprovoked.
36:28While the great white has been implicated in more unprovoked attacks on humans, several factors make the bull shark more dangerous to humans than any other shark species.
36:37These include its high aggression level, a much more powerful bite force than the great white, and, most dangerous of all, its ability to thrive in both saltwater and freshwater sources.
36:54Faces off with the strongest bite force of all sharks.
37:00In rare cases, bull sharks have even been sighted going far up both the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
37:09Some experts believe that the bull shark was responsible for the Jersey Shore attacks of 1916, an event that inspired the novel, Jaws.
37:17Number 7. Sloth Bear
37:19Native to the Indian subcontinent, sloth bears may look adorable and fluffy, but they're extremely aggressive.
37:25They have a reputation for regularly attacking humans more than any other bear.
37:30Those would be in the wild used for just this purpose, but mostly for digging into termite mounds, digging up bees, actually sucking up the honey like they're doing with their lips now.
37:38With human populations growing and their territory decreasing, human and sloth bear encounters have gradually increased as the animals wander into towns in search of food.
37:47Due to their poor eyesight, sloth bears are easily startled and thus more likely to lash out in self-defense or to defend their cubs.
38:00Between 1998 and 2000, 137 sloth bear attacks, including 11 fatalities, occurred in the North Balaspor Forest Division in the state of Chattisgar.
38:10In 1957, a specimen known as the Sloth Bear of Mysore achieved notoriety for killing at least 12 people and seriously injuring over 20 others.
38:25Number 6. African Lion
38:27Take one look at an African lion and you know that you are putting your life at risk just by getting within striking distance of the animal.
38:35This doesn't seem to stop humans from going on safaris or attempting to tame them, however.
38:40As a result, hundreds of people die every year at the hands of the African lion.
38:44Luckily, they do not actively seek out humans, but their amazing speed and razor-sharp teeth and claws mean that if they do decide to make you their prey, you are in a lot of trouble.
38:56I know!
38:58There's a locked door.
39:00Oh my gosh, I didn't know they could do that.
39:02Number 5. Polar Bear
39:04Raised in the harsh environment of the Arctic Circle, polar bears have evolved into one of the world's apex predators.
39:11Reaching heights of more than 9 feet and weighing over 1,000 pounds, the polar bear is the largest terrestrial carnivore on Earth.
39:25While normally cautious by nature, hungry polar bears will kill and eat virtually anything big or small, including humans.
39:33Being this close, you get an appreciation for what this animal is. It is one of the most powerful animals on the planet.
39:41With the loss of their habitat due to climate change and a lack of fear towards people, more and more polar bears are drawn towards human populations in search of food.
39:50Given the polar bear's immense size, powerful claws and teeth capable of tearing a human to shreds, any encounter can prove fatal.
40:04Number 4. Tiger
40:06As one of the world's most iconic animals, the tiger has left its mark in history, mythology, and popular culture.
40:14Along with being the largest cat species, tigers can be divided into several subspecies, such as the common Bengal tiger and the Siberian tiger.
40:23With jaws strong enough to crush the throats of its prey, and paws capable of inflicting heavy blows, tigers are apex predators that are praised and feared for their legendary strength and hunting prowess.
40:38Some tigers have even acquired a fearsome reputation for being man-eaters, with the most infamous being the Champawat tiger, which allegedly killed more than 400 people over the course of seven years at the turn of the 20th century.
40:51I could see Johnny, the cameraman, nearly jumping out of his skin, and you're sweating a fair bit there, Johnny.
40:58I thought it was a corner at one point.
41:00Number 3. Box Jellyfish
41:02If you come across one of these creatures while scuba diving or floating in the sea, get away as fast as possible.
41:09The box jellyfish is one of the most venomous animals on the entire planet, a category that includes frogs, scorpions, and snakes.
41:17It can possess as many as 60 tentacles, and their sting can kill a human, either by paralyzing them, which leads to drowning, or by stopping their heart.
41:28Luckily, many people survive encounters with the box jellyfish, but not without first experiencing excruciating pain.
41:36Number 2. Black Mamba Snake
41:38Despite being the second most venomous snake in the world, the black mamba makes our list because it is the most feared snake in all of Africa, which is saying something.
41:48Their bite has been called the kiss of death, and it can kill a human in less than 10 hours if not treated effectively.
41:55While the black mamba usually tries to flee from humans, they will attack if they feel threatened, delivering deadly strikes in rapid succession.
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42:26Number 1. Mosquito
42:29With a list that includes crocodiles, lions, and sharks, it may be difficult to believe that mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals on the planet.
42:37While they won't eat you, this small insect is responsible for killing over a million people each year because it spreads diseases, the most famous of which is malaria.
42:47In fact, they're said to transfer diseases to over 700 million people annually.
42:53They are located all over the world, from tropical areas to cold climates, and are responsible for more human deaths than all the other animals on this list put together.
43:04Which of these creatures haunts your nightmares? Let us know in the comments.
43:08Let us know in the comments.
43:09Let us know in the comments.
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