Random Deadly Animals That Prove Australia Is Scariest Place On Earth (14 items)

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  (#1) Box jellyfish

  • Chironex fleckeri

  The delicate-looking box jellyfish appears harmless. And yet, it is the absolute deadliest, most venomous marine animal on the planet. All over and through their bodies are pockets of poison called nematocysts, which act like poison darts. People and animals who receive their sting suffer serious consequences, such as paralysis, cardiac arrest, and sometimes death. And these symptoms can happen in just a few minutes. 

  The box jellyfish name comes from their body shape, and some of them grow to 10 feet long (including tentacles) and 1 foot in diameter. They are found in the warmer waters of the world, but the most poisonous varieties dwell in the Northern Territory of Australia, and along the Western Australian coast.

  In addition to being poisonous, the box jellyfish has another valuable skill. It moves very quickly through the water and can swim up to 4 knots per hour. The box jellyfish is exceptional to other jellyfish in this way, since other jellies simply float along with the tide. The box jellyfish is large and in charge, so look out if you are swimming in one of their territories.
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  (#2) Sydney funnel-web spider

  • Atrax robustus

  The Sydney funnel web spider is named for its overwhelmingly preferred habitat location - Sydney. These poisonous spiders are found in and all around the major city, and around the New South Wales coastline, but they rarely venture beyond that. It is considered the deadliest spider in Australia.

  The spider's official scientific name is Atrax robustus, which describes the spider's stocky build. It is a very sturdy, robust spider, and the male of the species has spurs on its legs. It is also highly poisonous, and a bite from the Sydney funnel web spider may prove lethal. Just as its name suggests, this spider builds a funnel-style web, which is helpful in luring prey into the spider's den. As with most spider species, the male is much smaller and, unfortunately, lives a shorter life. 
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  (#3) Saltwater Crocodile

  • Crocodylus porosus

  The Australian saltwater crocodile looms large in Western legend and culture. These big guys are extremely powerful. Their large jaws are full of sharp teeth, and they are the largest reptiles in the world. Some of them weigh more than 2,000 pounds.

  The male of the species is extremely aggressive and territorial, so even innocent bystanders are subject to attack. It is always a good idea to speak with local experts before stepping into any water that may be in a crocodile's territory. Fatalities from Australian crocodile attacks are not that common, usually because people steer clear of their territory. One human casualty is reported every two or three years.
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  (#4) Blue-ringed octopus

  • Hapalochlaena

  The blue-ringed octopus is very pretty. But don't let that fool you. The tiny blue-ringed octopus is one of the most poisonous animals in the world. It makes its home all around the coastal regions of Australia, and around the Pacific to Japan. Because it loves the security and food opportunities found in tidal pools, humans regularly come into contact with it.

  Like a number of animals, it won't seek out a human, but if it is disturbed or stepped on, disaster can happen. There is no known antidote, and if bitten, loss of life can occur within minutes. In fact, this tiny, innocent-looking animal packs enough venom to take out 26 human adults in mere minutes.
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  (#5) Great white shark

  • Carcharodon carcharias

  While it's not extremely common for great white sharks to attack, they have been known to bite people swimming in their territory. Great white sharks swim in various places off the coast of Australia. These creatures grow to be 15 feet long and up to 5,000 pounds. Their powerful teeth can chomp through just about anything. 

  And while they don't prey on humans, sometimes they do confuse humans in the water with types of animals they actually eat. In 2016 alone, 23 people were attacked by sharks, but only two perished. Most of them were unprovoked attacks. 
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  (#6) Size Doesn't Matter To The Irukandji And Its Fatal Sting

  Look at the size of the Irukandji jellyfish. It is tiny - only around 1 cubic centimeter. And yet it is one of the deadliest animals on the planet. There are 16 species of this jelly, and all are equally dangerous. It inhabits the waters of the Northern Territory of Australia.

  The Irukandji has some particularly special abilities. Most jellyfish have stingers on their tentacles, but this tiny variety also has them all over its body. They can also fire venom-filled stingers directly into their prey. The sting is very severe and often fatal, causing brain hemorrhages in minutes. Its attack can cause mental illness, too. The Irukandji's venom is powerful - 100 times more potent than the venom of a cobra. Around 50-100 people are stung and admitted to a hospital every year.
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  (#7) Common Death Adder

  • Acanthophis antarcticus

  Australia is home to a variety of adders - a type of snake - but this common variety is among the most dangerous. Before an anti-venom antidote was developed, around 60% of bites to humans from this species resulted in loss of life.

  The areas people need to be particularly careful to watch for this snake are along the east coast of Australia and further inland in New South Wales and Queensland. They are also sometimes seen on the sandy coastlines of central Australia and as far as Perth, on the west coast. The common death adder isn't too picky about its habitat. It likes arid, sandy regions just as much as forests and woodlands. It is not terribly aggressive, but it will hold still and wait for prey to accidentally come into range and then attack. 
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  (#8) Bull shark

  • Carcharhinus leucas

  Bull sharks are super aggressive animals that aren't afraid to venture far up brackish, inland rivers. You never know where they will turn up, but their first preference is warm shorelines, such as those found around the perimeter of Australia.

  Due to their fearlessness and fierce behavior, they are considered by experts to be the most dangerous sharks on the planet. The bull shark is also considered one of the scariest animals in the world. It's one of only a handful of shark species that are likely to attack humans. Weighing in at around 200-500 pounds and between 7 and 11 feet long, they pack the kind of size and power that poses a threat to humans and marine animals alike. They will eat practically anything that crosses their path.
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  (#9) There Is Nothing Sweet About Australia's Honey Bee

  Believe it or not, the European honey bee is actually one of the deadliest animals in Australia. While it's not native to Australia - it was brought Down Under in 1822 to establish homegrown honey hives - it claims the lives of at least two Australians each year. Just like in other countries, some people are allergic to bees and their stings. In fact, more Australians perish from honey bee stings each year than from shark attacks or spiders.

  Those who are sensitive to the honey bee venom can go into anaphylactic shock within minutes, which results in obstructed airways, extremely low blood pressure, and, if there is no nearby medical facility, loss of life.
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  (#10) Stonefish

  • Synanceia verrucosa

  The colorful, dangerous stonefish dwells at the bottom of tidal pools in Northern Australia. It lays low among rocks or under mud and sand. And it has a greenish-brown color that helps it further camouflage itself. All along its back are rows of sharp, venom-filled spines.

  Humans usually encounter the poisonous stonefish when they accidentally step on them. The sting is extremely painful, and the affected area swells rapidly. Its venom can cause almost instant death. Depending on how deeply the venomous spines strike, and how many spines actually penetrate tissue, victims may experience temporary paralysis, shock, muscle weakness, and if medical treatment is not immediately sought, loss of life.
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  (#11) Eastern brown snake

  • Pseudonaja textilis

  Did you know that Australia is home to around 170 species of land snakes? And that a number of those are among the most poisonous animals in the world? Despite this, snake bites are actually quite rare Down Under. Part of the reason is because most Australians live in large coastal cities and towns - places that snakes find too noisy and bothersome in which to reside. Still, between four and six people perish from snake bites in Australia each year, so it pays to keep an eye out for the dangerous creatures and avoid them wherever possible.

  The eastern brown snake lives on the eastern half of the continent. It is known for its particularly vile temper, its speed, and its aggression toward anyone or anything that approaches. This is the snake that is usually responsible for snake casualties in Australia. Its venom is the second most poisonous of any land snake in the world. Unlike most snakes, the eastern brown snake loves to live in populated areas. They have a special fondness for living on farms, due to the mice that also live there - a main source of food.

  This snake is not only highly toxic, but also exhibits behavior that is freakishly terrifying. If it senses someone approaching, it lifts its body off the ground into an "S" shape. It opens its mouth and prepares to strike. Those unfortunate enough to cross paths with one of these dangerous creatures probably will get bit. The venom causes paralysis to spread quickly throughout the body and instantly prevents the victim's blood from clotting, causing total collapse within a few minutes.
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  (#12) Red-back spider

  • Latrodectus hasselti

  There is an old Australian folk song that goes, "There was a Redback on the toilet seat when I was there last night..." The redback spider is almost ubiquitous in Australian life and culture, most likely because its preferred habitat includes outhouses, mailboxes, the undersides of seats, woodpiles, trash heaps, sub-flooring, and pretty much any dark, hidden-away area. In other words, it is often in the close proximity of humans.

  Just because they live among humans does not mean they are friends with humans. The redback has a painful bite, and while there has long been an anti-venom available, the bite can still result in loss of life, particularly in cases of the elderly and the very young. The redback's poison affects the nervous system, causing headache, vomiting and nausea, stomach pain, and even sudden high blood pressure and paralysis. 
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  (#13) Coastal taipan

  • Oxyuranus scutellatus

  Humans and animals who unintentionally stumble into the path of the coastal taipan snake are in for a horrific experience. This snake, the third most deadly in the world, does not seek out victims, but will defend itself in a hostile manner if disturbed. Once it feels threatened, it will become highly aggressive and deliver swift, repeated, and painful strikes. Their venom presents a stunning mix of neurotoxins. In just minutes, the victim's heart, lungs, and diaphragm are paralyzed, resulting in loss of life. As an added venomous bonus, the taipan's venom also releases toxins that destroy muscle tissue and cause internal bleeding.  

  The coastal taipan is the largest snake in Australia, and in possession of the longest fangs. They can grow to as much as 6 and a half feet in length, and have a whip-like tail. Their preferred habitat includes temperate to tropical coastlines, forests, swampy areas, woodlands, and grassy areas. Over the years, they have grown especially fond of Australia's Queensland sugarcane fields. When walking about anywhere in Australia, look out for potential taipan abodes, which can include burrows abandoned by other animals, hollow, rotting logs, and piles of organic litter found on and around farms.
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  (#14) The Mainland Tiger Snake Prefers To Bite In Australian Suburbs

  The mainland tiger snake holds second place for the most bites each year from snakes. Part of the reason is the mainland tiger prefers living in the suburbs and other more densely populated areas of the country. Like other snakes, they love life on the farm, where rodents are often abundant. Because they live in fairly close proximity to humans, a lot of bites happen when people accidentally step on them.

  The bites from the mainland tiger are fatal if not treated with antidote immediately. Like other venomous snakes, their poison attacks the nervous system, spreading paralysis throughout the body.

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