WATCH OUT: THESE ARE THE DEADLIEST ANIMALS IN THE WORLD

[IceWizard]

WATCH OUT:
THESE ARE THE DEADLIEST ANIMALS IN THE WORLD



It's Not Always the Ones That Roar and Stampede
As it turns out, the world’s deadliest animals may actually be the smallest ones.
Which tiny pest tops the list?

Read on to find out the world's deadliest animals.





#15. Elephant

Number of people killed in 2015: 100
Percent of total worldwide deaths from animals: 0.01%

The African elephant is the world’s largest land mammal, with the Asian elephant not far behind.
These far-ranging animals need plenty of land to forage, but as human populations continue to
grow, elephants and humans find themselves in conflict over space. Only about 20% of their
habitat is protected, and when people encounter elephants outside those areas, the results can
be fatal for both species.








#14. Lion

Number of people killed in 2015: 100
Percent of total worldwide deaths from animals: 0.01%

Every year in sub-Saharan Africa, tourists get a close-up look at the king of the jungle in its
natural habitat. Perhaps unbeknownst to them, lions see nearly everything around them as
potential prey, In the wild, old or sick lions often attack humans, which they see as easier prey.
Lions are also more likely to attack during the 10 days after the full moon.









#13. Hippopotamus

Number of people killed in 2015: 500
Percent of total worldwide deaths from animals: 0.03%

The hippopotamus, Greek for "river horse,” are semi-aquatic mammals of sub-Saharan Africa
that spend up to 16 hours of their day submerged in water. They’re not gentle giants, however;
male hippos are incredibly territorial, can run up to 20 miles an hour, and attack with 20-inch canines.










#12. Crocodile

Number of people killed in 2015: 1,000
Percent of total worldwide deaths from animals: 0.07%

Though sharks are often pointed to as the most common underwater menace, crocodiles are
historically 100 times deadlier. Their bite is three and a half times more powerful than a lion’s,
and these opportunistic predators hunt to kill. Saltwater crocodiles are more deadly than their
freshwater counterparts, and their attacks tend to be most common between October and March
when the water is warmer.









#11. Tapeworm

Number of people killed in 2015: 1,600
Percent of total worldwide deaths from animals: 0.1%

Tapeworms can’t digest food on their own, so they live in hosts’ intestines to get the nutrients they
need to survive out of food that's already been digested. Chances of infection are higher in parts
of the world where free-range livestock are more common, but the condition can be easily treated.
Avoid getting one in the first place by ensuring all food is thoroughly cooked in regions that
harbor the parasite.










#10. Ascaris roundworm

Number of people killed in 2015: 2,700
Percent of total worldwide deaths from animals: 0.18%

Roundworms, also called hookworms, are parasites typically found in soil. Like tapeworms, they live
in the intestines of hosts who eat contaminated foods. The CDC estimates that between 807 million
and 1.2 billion people are infected with roundworms worldwide, which accounts for most parasitic
diseases. Luckily, most show few symptoms, and the parasites are only considered deadly in parts
of the world with inadequate health care facilities.








#9. Scorpion

Number of people killed in 2015: 3,500
Percent of total worldwide deaths from animals: 0.23%

Most species of scorpion will only cause minor pain and irritation if they sting you. Cousins to spiders,
mites, and ticks, only 50 species have venom powerful enough to be dangerous to humans. Luckily,
only one species in the U.S. poses a danger: the bark scorpion found in southern Arizona and
western New Mexico.










#8. Tsetse fly

Number of people killed in 2015: 3,500
Percent of total worldwide deaths from animals: 0.23%

Tsetse flies look like common house flies, but these insects are far deadlier. Like mosquitos, they feed
on the blood of mammals, transmitting diseases like trypanosomiasis, also known as
"African sleeping sickness.” Early symptoms include aches, pains, and itching. As the disease progresses,
victims experience confusion and disruption of the sleep cycle. Left untreated, the condition is frequently fatal.