What is the number 1 deadliest animal

These are the world's deadliest animals

The world's deadliest animal isn't a shark or even a human.

Drawing from a 2014 graphicfrom Bill Gates' blog, we decided to rankthe world's deadliest animals. Most of the deaths caused by animals, it turns out, have less to do with the animals themselves than the diseases they unwittingly transmit.

Note that some numbers are harder to get an accurate read on than others, so these are for the most part rough estimates sometimes very rough. And the list is representative of different kinds of deadly animals, but it's by no means comprehensive.

Here are some of the animals responsible for the most human deaths. The scariest predatorsaren't as dangerousas you might expect but don't underestimate the little guys.

List of deadliest animals to humans

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of the deadliest animals to humans worldwide, measured by the number of humans killed per year. Different lists have varying criteria and definitions, so lists from different sources disagree and can be contentious. This article contains a compilation of lists from several reliable sources.

List of the most deadly animals[edit]

See also[edit]

1. ^ Mosquitos do not kill humans directly. Rather, they are a vector that transmits Mosquito-borne diseases.
2. ^ Tsetse flies do not kill humans directly. Rather, they are a vector that transmits sleeping sickness.
3. ^ Assassin bugs do not kill humans directly. Rather, they are a vector that transmits Chagas disease.
4. ^ Freshwater snails do not kill humans directly. Rather, they are a vector that transmits a variety of tropical diseases.

References[edit]

1. ^ Ritchie, Hannah; Spooner, Fiona; Roser, Max (14 February 2018). "Causes of death". Our World in Data. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
2. ^ Learish, Jessica (October 15, 2016). "The 24 deadliest animals on Earth, ranked". CNET. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
3. ^ Ramsey, Lydia (September 4, 2016). "These are the world's deadliest animals". Business Insider. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
4. ^ "What are the world's deadliest animals?". BBC News. June 15, 2016. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Top 10: Most dangerous animals in the world

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There are an estimated 1.2 million species in total, but what is the most dangerous animal in the world? Or, to be more exact, what animal kills the most humans?

As many Hollywood films have highlighted, the deadliest animals to humans, include some of natures biggest giants, such as lions and crocodiles. However, many animals are much less lethal than you'd expect sharks, for instance, only kill 70 humans each year.

Surprisingly, the most deadly creatures on Earth are often much smaller and more likely to kill through disease, venom and other means, rather than by razor-sharp teeth.

But which creature is the outright most dangerous animal in the world? Find out the top 10 below.

10. Lions - kills 200 humans per year

While you may have guessed that the king of the jungle that doesnt live in the jungle would be higher up on this list of the worlds most dangerous animals, the lion is still a ferocious predator that you wouldnt want to mess with. Its 114dB roar should be warning enough.

Typically attacking in the night using sharp claws to inflict deep wounds and with a bite that can crack bones and your skull, the lion is a fearsome beast. These big cats stalk their prey in small groups, surrounding the unlucky individual before lunging in for the kill.

Get too close to a pride and they could charge you, too. Especially during courtship or when with cubs. These majestic big cats attack out of hunger and to protect their young.

9. Hippos - kills 500 humans a year

The hippopotamus could be seen as a surprise entry on this list due to being a herbivore, but thanks to its impressive set of chompers and aggressive nature it is one of the most dangerous animals on the planet.

Hippos use those long (up to half a metre) sharp canines for fighting and just one bite from the creature can cut a human body in half. Ouch. A hippopotamus bite comes with a force of 1,800 psi, nearly three times that of a lion.

Fiercely territorial, hippos can attack a human when one approaches its habitat and they are known to attack and tip over boats in defence, mistaking them for predators. The hippo has even been known to eat its own kind out of desperation.

8. Elephants - kills 600 humans per year

An elephant who never forgets to kill! The mighty elephant is one of the worlds most dangerous animals thanks to its sheer size and can attack humans in various ways.

Elephants typically kill humans by trampling. As the African elephant can weigh up to eight tonnes (Asian up to five-and-a-half tonnes), the force of being knocked back and stomped on by one would easily be enough to kill.

An elephant can also use its trunk to pick up and throw humans and smash them into the ground. It has been known, too, for elephants to gore people using their tusks.

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7. Crocodiles - kills 1,000 humans per year

The crocodile is a famously ferocious animal that causes up to 1,000 reported fatalities a year. Just one look at those teeth should tell you why these reptiles are so dangerous.

The Nile crocodile has a bite force of up to 5,000 psi, the strongest of any animal in the world, with the saltwater croc having a paltry biting force of just 3,700 psi in comparison (just the second-most-powerful animal bite).

Saltwater crocodiles chomp down on their prey and can perform a death roll to help add even more pain to the experience. Lovely. Nile crocodiles, on the other hand, use their ridiculously powerful bite to simply crush their prey before often swallowing it down whole.

Crocodiles are aggressive and tremendously territorial and will attack anything that enters their habitat, often ambushing prey in the water.

6. Scorpions - kills 3,300 humans per year

These ancient and aggressive creepy crawlies sting with their tail and inject venom into their prey. With over 2,600 species of the arachnid, only around 25 carry a powerful enough toxin to kill humans.

One of the most dangerous is the deathstalker (clues in the name). These yellow death bringers can be found across the dry and arid landscapes and deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. They are not to be trifled with.

The venom carried by a deathstalker is enough to kill the young, elderly, and those with lingering medical problems including heart conditions. Healthy adult humans can be killed by a deathstalkers sting too, mind, its just less likely.

5. Assassin Bugs (Chagas disease) - kills 10,000 humans per year

Assassin bugs are a primary spreader of the deadly Chagas disease. These blood-sucking predator insects are a real threat in Central and South America thanks to this.

The Chagas disease is potentially fatal and is transmitted through an assassin bug bite or by consumption of cold food or drink that has been infected by the insect and/or its faeces, which carries the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T.cruzi).

A terrible disease that attacks the heart, digestive system, and nervous system according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Worse still, the disease can be transmitted from mother to baby through the placenta during pregnancy.

4. Dogs (rabies) - kills 59,000 per year

Mans best friend can be mans worst enemy when it comes to rabies. Any postman could tell you about dog attacks or close calls, too.

Dogs like to guard their owners against possible intruders and will attack by biting. While deaths from dog attacks are uncommon, human deaths from rabies transmitted by dog bites are not unheard of, primarily taking place in poorer parts of the world including Africa and Asia.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99 per cent of all rabies transmissions to humans. It is transmitted by saliva via bites, scratches, and direct contact with infected areas on the dog.

3. Snakes - kills 138,000 humans per year

Why did it have to be snakes? Indiana Jones has good reason to be deathly afraid of these venomous reptiles. Dangerous snakes can be found the world over and can kill humans in various different and brutal ways.

The black mamba, for example, can kill a human with just two drops of venom from a bite whereas pythons can swallow a fully grown adult whole.

Pythons attack by wrapping their long bodies around and constricting their prey, suffocating them and breaking their bones. They then use their stretchy jaws to swallow their kill whole. Yes, they do grow large enough to swallow an entire person, with pythons known to grow up to 10 metres long.

The most common human deaths from snakes occur from venomous bites, however, with the lucky left dealing with amputations and other permanent disabilities according to the WHO.

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2. Humans (homicides only) - kills 400,000 humans per year

Yeah, we know, this ones a bit of a cheat, but humans are technically the second-most dangerous animals on the planet when it comes to human deaths. That is just when you count homicides, anyway.

According to ourworldindata, globally, 0.7 per cent deaths in 2019 were the result of homicide. In Latin America, homicide rates are higher than other parts of the world, with homicides accounting for more than 7 per cent of deaths in El Salvador.

Humans arent alone in killing their own kind. It happens all across the animal kingdom. When we get true crime podcasts about lions or chimpanzees is another thing entirely.

1. Mosquitoes - kills 725,000 per year

Mosquitoes are the most dangerous animal in the world, killing 725,000 humans per year through spreading diseases such as malaria. Only female mosquitos bite, making them the most dangerous.

Through their high capacity for killing, this tiny little flying insect has steered the course of human history on multiple occasions, essential to American independence and the rise and fall of Rome.

Malaria infection is particularly bad in Africa, with the region accounting for 95 per cent of cases and 96 per cent of deaths worldwide.

Its best to avoid mosquitos as much as possible by purchasing and installing a mosquito net if youre planning on travelling into areas where the insect is an issue.

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To have your mind blown by more science, check out our ultimate fun facts page.

Most Dangerous Animals In Africa

Interested in finding out the most dangerous animals in Africa? Read on to discover the top 10 deadliest animals in Africa, along with their annual human kill rate.

Africa is a continent with huge biodiversity and wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities and is also home to a large selection of dangerous animals some of the most dangerous on the planet, in fact, causing significant numbers of human deaths.

In this article we explore the most dangerous animals in Africa in detail, and have ranked the species by the estimated number of human deaths they cause per year. Weve excluded human beings from this list if wed included them they would certainly rate as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, responsible for over 100,000 murders each year across the continent.

Because of the way the list is compiled (estimated human deaths caused by animals) there are many African animals not on this list that could easily prove fatal to a human, if not treated with the respect that they deserve.

Its worth bearing in mind that although there are some very dangerous animals on this list, the majority are limited to national parks and game reserves, where following the basic safari rules will remove almost any threat of death. So, with this in mind, heres our list of the 10 most dangerous animals on the African continent:

Mosquito

Responsible for an estimated 1,000,000 deaths per year

The mosquito is Africas most dangerous animal

Although the tiny mosquito may look far less impressive than the other large creatures on this list, it is far and away the most dangerous animal in Africa and the world.

The many species of mosquito in sub-Saharan Africa carry a number of different potentially fatal diseases, including Yellow Fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Dengue Fever, and of course Malaria. Between them, these diseases kill an estimated one million Africans every year.

Active from dusk to dawn, prevention against mosquito bites takes the form of wearing light colours, using spray or lotion repellents and sleeping in mosquito nets.

Hippopotamus

Responsible for an estimated 3,000 deaths per year

A hippo showing its impressive mouth

With so many dangerous animals in Africa, many people often overlook the fact that the hippopotamus is actually the biggest killer of humans of all large African animals. Although hippos are herbivores, these highly territorial animals are estimated to kill an incredible 3,000 people each year.

Male hippos fiercely defend their territories which include the banks of rivers and lakes, while females hippos can get extremely aggressive if they sense anything getting in between them and their babies, who stay in the water while they feed on the shore.

Hippos weigh up to 1,500 kg the third biggest animal in Africa behind the elephant and rhino and can run on land at speeds of up to 30 km per hour. Combine this with their aggressive nature, agility in and out of the water, and sharp, half-meter teeth in enormous jaws and you can understand why hippos can make for such a fearsome creature to encounter. (Did you hear about the pink hippo milk rumour?)

African Elephant

Responsible for an estimated 500 deaths per year

The African elephant Africas largest killer

Reaching weights of up to 7,000 kg the worlds largest land animals can often be unpredictable, with older bull elephants, young males, and elephants with babies particularly dangerous to anything that crosses their path. Unprovoked attacks by African elephants on humans are occasionally reported, usually by male elephants in musth (a sexually active period when testosterone levels increase).

Whilst they may seem like relatively relaxed animals, each year around 500 human fatalities are caused by African elephants by trampling and crushing their victims. In areas where poaching occurs, or the elephants habitat is in danger, elephants tend to be much more aggressive.

Nile Crocodile

Responsible for an estimated 300 deaths per year

A Nile crocodile lying in wait for prey

Found in almost every major river throughout Africa, and in many lakes, Nile crocodiles are the continents largest freshwater predators. The Nile crocodile is known for its aggressive nature and is the crocodile species involved in most fatal attacks on humans, killing an estimated 300 people every year. (Know the key differences between a crocodile and alligator?)

Known for their ambush hunting technique, the crocodiles are indiscriminate hunters and attack any animal that comes within reach including humans. Their attack usually takes the form of launching from the water and clamping its victim in its powerful jaws, dragging them back into the water to drown them before stashing them under submerged branches or rocks to eat later.

Attacks on humans usually occur when people are washing close to riverbanks and lakeshores, and when fishermen are getting in and out of their boats. Around 40% of crocodile attacks on humans are fatal, with children more at risk than adults due to their size. The risk of crocodile attacks has been shown to increase in the warmer season when the crocodiles have more energy.

Lion

Responsible for an estimated 200 deaths per year

Lioness scouting for prey

As the apex predator of the African wild, the lion is one of the worlds top predators. Whilst humans are not their natural prey, each year an estimated 200 people are killed by lions. Sick male lions are mostly responsible for this death rate, along with opportunistic attacks in areas where the lions natural prey has been depleted. (Read the incredible story of the man-eating Tsavo lions.

Whilst there have been a handful of reported deaths of tourists or guides being killed by lions during a safari trip, these cases are very much the exception. The vast majority of humans killed by lions are of locals going about their daily lives in or on the fringes of African game reserves.

Cape Buffalo

Responsible for an estimated 200 deaths per year

The Cape buffalo is without a doubt one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, and is sometimes referred to as widowmaker or the black death.

These aggressive and unpredictable beasts can weigh up to 1,000 kgs and grow up to 1.7 meters tall. Theyre fearless and will mob any predator that dares to take its young. They usually travel in herds but are one of the few animals in Africa that will actively stalk and kill humans if alone.

The buffalo was a favourite of big game hunters (hence their status as one of the big five), and are known to attack humans by circle back on their victims before charging, then trampling or goring them to death using their sharp horns. Buffalos kill an estimated 200 people each year.

Great White Shark

Responsible for an estimated 2 deaths per year

Great white shark Africas biggest marine killer

The great white shark is an animal that strikes fear into many people who get into the waters around southern Africa. Its certainly the most aggressive shark when it comes to human encounters, being responsible for the majority of the fatal shark attacks in Africa, and globally.

Great whites dont consider humans as prey, and seemingly only attack in cases of mistaken identity where theyre not able to clearly identify exactly what theyre attacked. Great whites charge their prey at up to 40 km per hour, take one large bite then back off, letting their prey bleed to death before eating it. When it comes to humans, great whites usually take a test bite then leave. However, in around 20% of cases, the damage is done and the victim dies from loss of blood from a single bite.

With all that said, deaths from shark attacks account for an average of only two deaths a year in Africa.

Rhinoceros

Responsible for ? deaths per year (unknown)

A lone rhino

Rhinos are extremely large and powerful animals, weighing in at up to 2,800 kgs and second only to the elephant for sheer size. On top of this, theyre renowned for being somewhat irritable. Although they have poor eyesight their sense of smell is excellent, and the smell of humans sometimes triggers rhino to charge at a person or vehicle.

Although the black rhino is generally more aggressive, both black and white rhino charge when threatened, which can result in human death. Rhino mothers with calves are very protective of their young and are quick to attack anything which they consider a threat.

Rhino can charge at speeds of up to run up to speeds of 64 km per hour, and have two large, sharp horns, so be sure to always keep your distance and never get between a mother and baby, or anywhere near an older male.

Puff Adder

Responsible for ? deaths per year (unknown)

A beautiful puff adder head

Puff adders reach an average length of 1 meter and have a wide girth and varied camouflage colours depending on where they live. They are found the length and breadth of Africa, outside of the rainforest and Sahara regions.

Whilst its not the most venomous snake in Africa, the puff adder makes this list as its the snake that causes the most fatalities in Africa. This is due to its extensive habitat, its aggressive nature, and the fact it is well camouflaged. This means it lies still to avoid detection rather than fleeing, resulting in attacks when people accidentally step on the snake.

Its potent venom and long fangs mean fatality rates from bites of up to 20% if not treated.

Black Mamba

Responsible for ? deaths per year (unknown)

The bblack mamba, Africas most dangerous snake

Black mambas are regarded as one of the most deadly snakes in the world, and for good reason. They are the largest venomous snake in Africa, with adults growing to around 2.5 meters and also one of the worlds fastest snakes, moving at 20 km per hour. Black mambas have a well-developed vision and are active in the daytime as both an ambush and pursuit predator. Theyre also a highly aggressive snake when cornered, known to attack and strike repeatedly.

The black mambas real danger comes from their extremely toxic venom, with one bite containing enough neuro and cardio-toxins to kill 10 people. The amount of venom a black mamba injects in an attack triggers a fast onset of symptoms of asphyxiation and cardiovascular collapse with a 100% fatality rate for untreated bites. This puts them near the top of the list of most venomous snakes in the world.