There are reasons why we can call numerous animals the “world’s deadliest,” some have giant fangs and killer bites, while others inject their victims with potent venom. Not all deadly creatures are giant beasts, some are fluffy assassins, and others make up for their small stature with larger-than-life personalities.
Explore some of the world’s deadliest animals, from those with the highest kill rates to the creatures with deadly defenses.
Prairie Rattlesnake
The prairie rattlesnake is considered the most dangerous snake in North America, with a highly evolved venom that can paralyze its prey. This is the most toxic venom of all North American rattlesnakes and can cause paralysis, coma, or death. The venom also contains a substance that helps the prairie rattlesnake digest its food.
This quiet hunter stalks its prey using camouflage, then uses a venomous bite to kill its victim. One single snake bite can contain 300 times the amount of venom needed to take down the prey; still, 20% of snake bites are “dry,” meaning they have no venom. While human attacks are rare, the prairie rattlesnake possesses enough venom to take down an adult human.
Dragonfly
Dragonflies are the master hunters of the insect world (and the greater animal kingdom, too!) with a successful kill rate of 95%, which is huge when you compare it to the kill rate of other fearsome predators such as the great white shark (50%) or African lion (25%).
This may seem astonishing, but several characteristics give this helicopter-like creature an advantage over its prey. Firstly, the dragonfly possesses four wings which can all move independently to create complete dexterity. With more than 30,000 eyes, their sense of vision is incredible, and they have a human-like concentration allowing them to select and maintain focus on their prey.
Black Footed Cat
The black footed cat is the smallest wild cat in Africa (and one of the smallest wild cat species in the world), but don’t let its small size fool you. This stealthy feline is an active nocturnal hunter, making a hunting attempt roughly once every half hour. With a success rate of approximately 60%, the black-footed cat can make between 10 and 14 kills in a single evening.
Despite the name, only the paw pads and foot base of a black-footed cat are black; the rest of its legs and body are a reddish-fawn hue; it also has a white throat and black-tipped tail. These solitary felines work alone to secure opportunistic hunts that make them the most successful hunters of the cat family.
Polar Bear
Polar bears are the world’s largest land carnivores. They live in the Arctic region and can grow up to 10 feet tall, weighing up to 1,500 pounds. Polar bears have a lower kill rate (10%) than many other animals on this list, but they are deadly predators built for the cold, with white fur blending in with the snow. They have a very thick layer of fat that insulates them from the cold, and they can swim for long periods, which helps them hunt seals in the water.
Polar bears also have an excellent sense of smell that helps them find their prey. They can smell a seal on dry land or underwater up to 100 miles away. A polar bear might not have the highest kill rate, but you wouldn’t want to come face-to-face with one.
Saltwater Crocodile
Numerous factors make the saltwater crocodile one of the most deadly predators in the world; not least, they have the strongest bite of any animal, with a force of 3,700 PSI. As if that wasn’t enough, these reptiles possess strong muscular tails, which are powerful enough to move them at incredible speeds and propel them out of the water.
This croc has been one of the deadliest killers on Earth for more than 100 million years, first appearing during the dinosaurs’ reign. Today, they are the largest living reptiles on Earth, capable of taking down humans, water buffalo, and wild boar.
Great White Shark
A great white shark can grow up to 20 feet and weigh more than 6,500lbs. If that wasn’t intimidating enough, these sea creatures possess up to 54 triangular teeth that can reach a length of 6.6 inches. The Great White Shark is the most feared predator in the ocean. They are responsible for many attacks on humans, with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth that can rip through flesh easily.
The great white is the shark species most likely to attack humans, but it’s not because they want to eat us per se. As apex predators, great whites have a strong urge to find sizable prey; their powerful senses and agile bodies make it easy for them to capture a human being. Often, a shark attack is their way of investigating whether or not we are suitable prey.
Black Mamba
The black mamba is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, primarily because it has very toxic venom. The toxicity of its venom can kill an elephant, and even a human being can die from its bite if they are not treated quickly enough. Their venom interferes with the motor-end plate, where nerves connect to muscles, leading to paralysis. In addition, the venom is cardiotoxic, so it can directly impact the heart.
Another reason why the black mamba is so deadly is because of its speed; it moves at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour, making it one of the fastest snakes in the world. Still, the black mamba is more likely to retreat than attack if they come face-to-face with a human or another predator larger than itself; in these instances, most bites occur when the snake feels under threat.
Wild Dog
The African wild dog has a fearsome reputation as the most successful mammalian killer in the world, with an 85% success rate. Running at speeds of up to 40mph and possessing blade-like teeth that can easily tear through flesh, it’s easy to understand why they are one of the most feared animals.
Still, these deadly dogs are unlikely to attack humans. They don’t view homo sapiens as a food source and are more likely to act in a curious rather than killer manner around us. But don’t underestimate these clever creatures; a combination of intelligence, physical ability, and pack cooperation means they can take down prey several times their size.
