Australia's Top Ten dangerous Animals

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By MrMarmalade

Box Jellyfish
Box Jellyfish
Irukandji Jellyfish
Irukandji Jellyfish
TaipanSnake head
TaipanSnake head
Tiger Snake
Tiger Snake
Seawater Crocodile
Seawater Crocodile
Great White Shark
Great White Shark
Red Back Spider
Red Back Spider
Funnel Web Spider Female
Funnel Web Spider Female
Funnel web Spider Victoria
Funnel web Spider Victoria
Platypus
Platypus
Kangaroo
Kangaroo
Cane Toad
Cane Toad
The Promise
The Promise

Australia's Top Ten Dangerous Animals

Australia's Top Ten Dangerous Animals

And Some Not So Dangerous

Australia definitely has its fair share of some of the world's most painful and
poisonous creatures. We have deadly spiders, and of the top ten most deadliest
snakes of the world, Australia has six on the list. Did you know even our humble
platypus produces one of the most excruciating venoms known?

Here are Australia's top ten dangerous creatures.

1. The Box Jellyfish

2. Irukandji (A Jellyfish)

3. Salt Water Crocodile

4. Blue Ring Octopus

5. Stone Fish

6. Red Back Spider

7. Brown Snake
8. Tiger Snake

9. Great White Shark

10. Funnel Web Spider

And some not so Deadly: -

Kangaroos

Cane Toads

AKA The Agly Australian.

Introduced In Queensland from Haiwaii in 1935 to fight the a pest on the the sugar
crop, The Cane Beetle

122 Cane toads were imported they bred with enthusiasm and two months later, when
they were releasedin sugar growing areas they numbered 3,000 and have been
Multiplying ever since. These cane Toads killed everything except the cane Beetle.
(Killed by Pesticide in due couse.) The East coat of Australia have now in excess
of 2,000,000 Cane Toads on the East Coast of Australia moving to Western
Australia. When Threatened the toad secretes a poison,bufotoxin, from sacs behind
their eyes. Secretions kill most native animals, including the saltwater
crocodile, and they give humans a very nasty bite. Not enough to kill you, just
enough to make you very sick.

The Box Jellyfish also known as a Sea Wasp) is a very dangerous creature to
inhabit Australian waters. The Jellyfish has extreme toxins present on its
tentacles, which when in contact with a human, can stop cardio-respiratory
functions in as little as three minutes.

This jellyfish is responsible for more deaths in Australian than Snakes, Sharks
and Salt Water Crocodiles.

The creature has a square body and inhabits the north east areas of Australia. The
tentacles may reach up to 80 cms in length. It is found along the coast of the
Great Barrier Reef.

Curiosity:Some years ago, a Cyclone was forming on the Pacific Ocean, far away
from the shore. At the same time an unusual migration of box jellyfish, to rivers
and mangroves in the region was filmed. The sea became literally free of
jellyfish. This fact attracted Scientists' attention; despite knowing about the
Cyclone, they had no idea which direction it was heading in, or even if it was
going to dissolve somewhere in the Pacific. The fact is that 48 hours later, the
region suffered one of the worse Cyclones in history. How the box jellyfish had a
previous knowledge about the event is still a mystery.

Last causality: January 2006 - A 9 year’s old girl was with the family in a beach
in the Australian Northeast. Even taken to the nearest hospital, she couldn't
survive the toxins of the Box Jellyfish.

Note: Never try to remove a box jellyfish tentacle from someone (unless wearing
gloves), or you may find yourself in the same position as the victim! Likewise,
when resuscitating the victim, take care not to touch affected areas of the person
or parts of the box jellyfish with your body.
This deadly species of jellyfish is related to another deadly jellyfish, the
irukandji jellyfish.

The Irukandji (Carukua barnesi) inhabits Northern Australian waters. This is a

deadly jellyfish, which is only 2.5 centimeters in diameter, which makes it very
hard to spot in the water.

This is a species of jellyfish which has become known about in recent years, due
to deaths of swimmers in Australia. In 2002, Richard Jordon was stung whilst
swimming off the Coast of Hamilton Island. He was a 58 year old British tourist;
unfortunately he died a few days later.

This deadly species of jellyfish is relater to another deadly jellyfish, the box
jellyfish.

Amazing Fact: The Irukandji jellyfish is only 2.5 centimetres in diameter, but can
cause death to humans within days.

Saltwater Crocodile(Crocodylus porosus) (The World's Largest Reptile)

The Saltwater Crocodile is the world's largest reptile. These amazing creatures
are found on the northern coast of Australia and inland for up to 100 kms or more.
The Saltwater Crocodile has been reported to grow to lengths of 7 metres! but the
average size of a Saltwater Crocodile is 4 metres long.

They reproduce in the wet season, with the female crocodile laying up to 60 eggs
at a time. When the crocodiles are born, only a very small number of these survive
in the wild and grow to be adult crocodiles.

The crocodile is now a protected species in Australia, however if human danger is

a factor, the crocodile will be moved away from possible contact. Many years ago
Australia used to export crocodile skin, this is now illegal.

Amazing Animal Fact: The temperature of the saltwater crocodile's egg will
determine the sex of the new born crocodile.

The saltwater crocodile is the World's largest reptile.

Last year a German tourist was killed while swimming in the Northern Territory.
(In a place marked DANGEROUS - DO NOT SWIM, CROCODILES LIVE HERE!) That's why it
is very important to ask local people if the place you plan to swim in is safe or
not. By the way, Crocs are a protected species in Australia and if you kill one
you are in trouble, but they can kill you anytime they want. Be sure about that.

Blue Ring Octopus

The Blue Ring Octopus is a deadly venomous octopus which inhabits warm waters and
shallow reefs off the coast of Australia. It also lives off the coast of New
Guinea, Indonesia and the Phillipines.

This octopus has distinctive blue rings (hence its name) on its body and eight
tentacles. With the tentacles spread, it is about 20 cms in diameter. It feeds on
small sea creatures, and wounded fish.

Amazing Fact: If an octopus loses a tentacle, they can regenerate and grow a new
one.

The Stonefish is another of Australia's deadly marine creatures. They inhabit

shallow waters along the coast. The stonefish is well camouflaged in the ocean, as
it is a brownish colour, and often resembles a rock. This is why it is called the
Stonefish.

It has thirteen sharp dorsal spines on its back, which each have extremely toxic
venom.

Amazing Animal Fact: The venom of a stonefish can kill a human in two hours.

People swimming in the ocean need to take care, as they can unknowingly step on a
Stonefish and have venom injected into their foot.

The stonefish feeds on other small fish or shrimp

Red Back Spider (Latrodectus hasselti)

The Red Back Spider is Australia's most well known deadly spider. They are found
all over Australia, and are common in urban areas. The Black Widow Spider (found
in the USA) is a close relative of the Red Back. These spiders are usually found
under logs, rocks, bricks, sheds and outdoor toilets.

The Red Back Spider feeds on insects, but can take down small lizards and
crickets. These spiders are small in size, the females being about 1cm long and
the males about 4mm long.

Amazing Fact: Only the female red back spider bite is dangerous to humans.

Female funnel-web spiders spend most of their life in their burrows, but do
occasionally hunt on the surface at night. Adult males however leave their burrows
and wander in search of females, particularly during summer and autumn. This is
when most encounters with humans occur, with males accidentally wandering into
houses and garages, often via gaps under doors. The males spend their entire short
adulthood seeking as many receptive females to mate with as possible.
Habits, Mating and Reproduction

Male funnel-webs approach the females' hidden burrows, possibly by following the
scent of their chemical attractants. During mating, the male must restrain the
female from striking him with her fangs using the spurs on his second legs, while
he transfers sperm via his palps into her genital opening.

The female then spins a pillow-shaped silk egg sac, into which she lays over 100
eggs. She cleans and turns the egg sac several times during incubation and will
defend it vigorously if disturbed. The spiderlings hatch about three weeks later,
and stay with the mother for a few months. After two moults, they leave her
burrow, dispersing by foot to eventually make their own burrows. Juvenile males
will stay in their burrows until their final adult moult, after which they will
become wanderers.

Funnel-webs mature in about two to four years, with the females living to ten or
more years, and the males dying about six to nine months after maturity.
Toxicity

Bites are most prevalent during summer and autumn when males leave the burrows in
search of females. Accidental encounters with wandering males usually occur in
gardens, houses, garages and sheds - particularly ground-level dwellings on
concrete slabs.

Bites are dangerous and can cause serious illness or death. The venom appears to
particularly affect primates (ie humans), whereas other mammals - such as cats and
dogs - are relatively resistant.

The male Sydney Funnel-web Spider is more dangerous than the female. This is
because the toxic venom component that attacks the human and primate nervous
system so severely is only present in male spiders. Initial symptoms after a bite
include local pain, mouth numbness, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating and
salivation. Antivenom is available and no deaths have occurred since its
introduction.

The last deadly spider bite in Australia was recorded in 1955! The Sydney Funnel-
web Spider appears only in and around Sydney. Its venom can be dangerous to frail
and weak people. The much touted Redback Spider is not deadly. A bite can cause
great discomfort and makes some people sick, but it doesn't kill.

Snakes - Of the 10 most dangerous snakes in the world, 8 are Australian. The most
poisonous snake in the world is the TAIPAN, whose venom is strong enough to kill
100 adults with only one bite. In second place comes the Brown Snake, capable of
sending many to heaven with one bite also. In third, the Tiger Snake, this is as
dangerous as the Brown. To the ones who wish to visit the Coast line and walk on
the hills over the grass, be aware that it may be dangerous especially during
summer time. If bitten, a bandage wrapped around the area is the best thing you
can do before getting help as soon as possible. (Try to remember the colour and
shape of the snake to describe to the doctor). If you get in a situation where you
have a snake a few feet away from you, the best thing to do is to stand still, and
wait for the snake to leave.

Pursuing the journey of showing someone how to sell 100 widgets in a week. I was
with a young lady, who had thoughts of being a star, who could also sell those
magic100 widgets in a week. This week we were in a Sydney suburb, 23 miles out of
the heart of Sydney. Drove the car into a large factory complex and approached the
front door of the Factory. Several large screams came bursting out through the
door. They were loud and piercing screams of anguish and fear. The two of us
rushed in to the office expecting to see a lady having fallen off a ladder. We did
not know what to expect. There was a lady, who was extremely distressed. Across
from her desk was a large snake, wondering whether it should flee or fight.

Before this snake could come to any decision, a burly man with a shovel in his
hand, belted the snake a killing blow from the shovel. It took one blow. This
gentleman or should we say white knight on a charger dealt the snake three heavy
blows. The snake did not have a chance. It was killed. The police arrived and
every thing settled down, they were going to recommend the white knight for a
bravery award. I was scared and the young lady with me was not as scared as I was.
I was impressed with her. Stayed selling widgets for a long while.

Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis)

The Australian Brown Snake

The brown snake is approximately 1.5 metres long, and is one of Australia's more
deadly creatures. They have venom which can cause death to humans relatively
quickly if left untreated. Brown snakes up to 2.3 metres have been recorded in
Australia.

They feed on small creatures, such as mice and rats, small birds, lizards or even
other snakes. These snakes are found in Eastern Australia, however they are not
found in Tasmania.
Further Information on the Brown Snake:

The common tiger snake is found in southern and eastern Australia. They are
usually around a metre long, and have a striped marking (hence the name Tiger
Snake). This is not always the case however, as the markings can change due to the
seasons and the age of the snake. They can grow up to 1.5 metres in length.

These are venomous snakes, and will attack if they are disturbed or threatened.
Otherwise, they can live quietly. They are also often territorial, and will live
in the same area for years. They are also found in suburban areas, even in the
newer suburbs.

An elderly woman was bitten by a tiger snake while she pruned the ivy on her
fence, in Kew (an inner suburb of Melbourne, in 2003). Death resulted from this
bite. However this is quite rare these days, as anti venene is readily available.

These snakes feed on all types of creatures; they happily feed on frogs, fish,
small birds and other small mammals. They also eat other reptiles such as lizards.

The Taipan is the most venomous snake in Australia. Male and female are both very
aggressive if cornered, but for the most part, taipans steer clear of humans. The
Taipan has the longest fangs of any Australian snake, and can be up to a half-inch
long.

The Great White Shark.

The Great White Shark or affectionally known as the "Great White" belongs to a
group of sharks named Mackerel Sharks. Its common name was derived from the
shark's white underbelly. They are solitary animals, but have also been reported
to swim in pairs or groups. They are found on all coasts of Australia, and
furthermore throughout the World.

They range between 3.5 to 5 metres long, and weigh on average 1,300kg. The females
are large than males. The Great White is grey in colour from the top and white
underneath. They have on average 2,800 teeth in their mouth, all in rows and
triangle in shape. They are slanted on an angle inwards, which helps keep hold of
their prey.

Being predatory animals, they feed on other fish, including other sharks. They can
even tackle small whales.

Amazing Fact: Great White's also eat animals that are already dead.

They attack their prey once, and then wait and let their prey bleed to death. They
have an amazing sense of smell, and can pick up blood in water a long way away.
This helps them to track down their prey, or potential prey.

Amazing Fact: Shark's need to swim, or they will sink!

The Great White is constantly swimming, or it will begin to drop in the ocean.

Note 1: The White Shark is not the most dangerous shark in Australia. "Bull
Sharks" had killed more people than all others combined

Nota 2: Evict to swim between sunset and sunrise. These are the hours sharks are
looking for food especially when the water is murky.

Nota 3: Only ten people die in the world every year by shark attack. But 150 die
from a coconut falling right on the head.

Nota 4: Australia was second place in the world in 2004 for shark attacks, loosing
only to United States, but Australia had more deaths as a consequence of the
attacks. See below, statistics of shark attacks in Australia since 1791

Shark Attacks = A: Deaths = D: Last Attack = LA

NSW A123 D61 LA1993

QLD A90 D39 LA2006

WA A31 D10 LA2004

SA A28 D15 LA2005

VIC A19 D8 LA1970

TAS A8 D4 LA1993

NT A2 D2 LA1938

Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

The platypus is found in eastern Australia. They live aside freshwater rivers or
lakes, and create burrows for shelter and protection. They are active mainly at
nighttime hours, and use their webbed feet for swimming. When swimming the
platypus has its eyes shut. They swim underwater for 2 minutes, before returning
to the surface for oxygen. They can however stay underwater for up to 10 minutes,
and due to their natural buoyancy, they need to be underneath another object to do
this.

The Platypus has a wooly furred coat and range from 30cm to 45cms in length and
the tail about 10 to 15 cms. The wooly furred coat actually has three different
layers. The first layer keeps the animal warm, by trapping air, the second layer
which provides an insulating coat for the animal, and lastly the third layer of
long flat hairs to detect objects close by. These creatures weight on average
between 1 to 2.4 kilograms. They have an average lifespan of 12 years.

This lifespan may be shortly diminished, as the platypuses biggest threats are
snakes, goannas, rats and foxes. Another big threat to the platypus is man, via
waterway pollution or land clearing.

Platypuses feed on insect larvae, worms or other freshwater insects. They do so

mainly at night, by the use of their bill. They turn up mud on the bottom of the
lake or river, and with the help of their electroreceptors located on the bill,
find many insects and freshwater insects. They store their findings in special
pouches behind their bill, and are consumed upon returning to the surface.

Amazing Fact: Platypuses can consume their own body weight in food in a 24 hour
period!

Male platypuses are larger than the female. They reproduce by mating which occurs
once a year, between June - October. The female lies between 2 - 4 eggs and
incubates these for a two week period. When a young platypus is born, they feed
from milk from the mother. The mother secretes this milk from large glands under
the skin, the young platypus feed from this milk which ends up on the mother’s
fur.
If you thought this was a cute and cuddly Australian animal, well, you are only
half correct. The male platypi have a hollow spur about 15 millimetres in length
on the inside of both hind legs. This in turn is connected to a venom gland, and
the platypus uses this spur to defend itself against predators.

Amazing Fact: The male platypus has venom strong enough to can kill a small dog,
or cause excruciating pain among humans.

Since only the male platypus has this venomous spur, and the gland peaks during
mating season, many suggest it is normally used in aggressive encounters between
other male platypus.

A baby platypus is not called a puggle, which seems to be a common misconception.

There is no official name for a baby platypus, but a common suggested name is
"platypup".

The last deadly spider bite in Australia was recorded in 1955! The Sydney Funnel-
web Spider appears only in and around Sydney. Its venom can be dangerous to frail
and weak people. The much touted Redback Spider is not deadly. A bite can cause
great discomfort and makes some people sick, but it doesn't kill.

Kangaroo- are not really dangerous in the wild, but think about running one over
while you driving?! They are about half the size of a cow and can cause serious
damage to your car and its occupants. Kangaroos in Australia are free roaming and
in huge numbers. On one of our trips, we counted 27 dead in 80 Km (50 miles) of
road. For more safety on the roads outside urban centres, try not to drive between
sunset and sunrise. To minimize problems with the increasing number of Roos in
Australia, the Government authorized the culling of 15,000 kangaroos in 2002.

Kangaroos are wild but you would not call them dangerous.

Although many years ago I was driving a 1,000 Miles out of Sydney on a rough
country road in the middle of the night and a Kangaroo, jumped on the roof of my
car. Wrote the car off, I was not hurt nor was the kangaroo. I not sure who was
the most scared. Him or me.

It's very difficult to be a victim of these animals while you are in Australia,
but this page was created to alert you of their existence. Every one of these
animals has an important role to play in nature, and despite the fact that they
can harm us; they should be protected from unnecessary killing. It is just a
matter of leaving them alone. By the way, traffic accidents in Australia kill more
people every year than all these animals together.

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