If you do not recognise an animal, do not touch it. Some dangerous animals may resemble harmless species, but can only be identified by experts or scientific examination.
VENOMOUS ANIMALS Venomous animals also produce their own toxins, but they are able to inject these toxins into other animals via stings, spines, sprays and fangs. Some animals, such as snakes and cone shells, have evolved venoms that not only disable their prey, but also start to break down the victim’s body so that digestion is easier.
PHYSICALLY DANGEROUS
QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
Butterfly cod or scorpionfish ( Pterois and Dendrochirus spp. ) have venomous spines.
In Australia’s early days camels were invaluable to explorers and settlers, but they are known to be cantankerous animals and quick to bite.
Any animal that is as big as or larger than a person can be dangerous, especially if it regards a human as an easy meal. Few Australian native animals are large enough to pose this sort of threat, but livestock, such as cattle and horses, have the size and weight to crush, trample and kill. Adult wild pigs can also be dangerous. Many animals have sharp claws and teeth, horns and tusks, piercing spines and blade-like projections, or hard beaks on their bodies. These animals can inflict deep wounds, punctures and severe lacerations in self-defence.
QUEENSLAND MUSEUM/JEFF WRIGHT
DISEASE-CARRYING ANIMALS
Mosquitoes are often considered to be the most dangerous animals on the planet because of the number of diseases they transmit to humans.
Compared to a human, a mosquito is a small, fragile creature, but some species are regarded as the deadliest animals on Earth. Mosquitoes carry parasites, bacteria and viruses that can cause life-threatening diseases such as Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue Fever. Other types of insects are also known to transmit disease. Many other kinds of animals carry diseases and parasites that can affect humans. People can be directly infected through bites and scratches, or indirectly through excretions. Some particularly nasty diseases originate with our closest animal companions — domestic pets and livestock.
QUEENSLAND MUSEUM/JEFF WRIGHT
the FACTS! TOXINS OFTEN TARGET A PARTICULAR PART of the victim. Neurotoxins affect the nervous system; cytotoxins attack the body cells; myotoxins damage muscles; and haemotoxins destroy blood cells and stop blood clotting. THE COMPOSITION OF A VENOM is determined by the prey an animal eats. Venoms, such as those produced by snakes, are complex and contain many kinds of toxic substances. BOTULISM IS A SEVERE TYPE OF FOOD poisoning caused by a microscopic bacteria (Clostridium botulinum). The bacteria lives on decaying matter and the toxin is one of the most poisonous natural substances in the world. Food that is not cooked, preserved or canned properly provides ideal conditions for the bacteria to grow. Botulism affects the nervous system and can also be fatal. Fortunately, outbreaks in the human population are rare. ANIMAL POISONS AND VENOMS are now being used to develop new medicines. Venoms and poisons contain many different substances and scientists are finding that some of these may be useful for treating illnesses. For example, the venom of some scorpions contains substances that could help diabetes sufferers.
From Steve Parish Publishing’s Amazing Facts: Deadly & Dangerous ~ www.steveparish.com.au
Introduction
IAN MORRIS
RON & VALERIE TAYLOR
Precautions