10 animals from Australia that everyone is afraid of - and rightly so (11 photos)

Australia's wildlife is diverse - and even frightening. Only in Australia can you find a poisonous spider in your toilet, or spot a crocodile walking down the street. Many Australian animals have controversial reputations. There is no reason to be afraid of some of them - they are almost harmless. And it’s better to stay away from others. Let's take a look at 10 inhabitants of Australian nature that are best not to be trifled with.





1. Crab spider



The hunter spider or crab spider is one of the largest and fastest spiders in the world. He's also definitely one of the most terrifying, considering how people react to him. This is one of the spiders that many people associate with Australia and is terrifying. But firstly, these spiders live not only in Australia, and secondly, they are not that dangerous to humans. Although they may bite to defend themselves if disturbed, the venom is not fatal to humans.

2. Saltwater crocodile





Many people still don't understand the difference between crocodiles and alligators. The reality is that compared to crocodiles, alligators are harmless little cuties. They can certainly pose a threat, but crocodiles are much more aggressive and have significantly greater bite force. The saltwater crocodile is one of the most fearsome creatures in Australia. They have very strong immunity, they quickly adapt to any living conditions, and quickly recover from wounds. These are powerful predators that have no competitors in nature and are at the top of the food chain. They rarely attack humans - except perhaps if they lack food, or if they are protecting cubs or eggs.

3. Cassowary



Cassowaries are large flightless birds with huge claws and beaks. They look like dinosaurs and are considered the most dangerous birds in the world. There really is a reason to be afraid of them - according to experts, they can kill a person with one blow. The first case of human death from a cassowary beak was confirmed in 1926. Another one was in 2019, when a cassowary in the USA pecked its owner, a farmer. Cassowaries rarely show aggression - only when someone invades their territory or threatens their life.

4. Toad-aha



The aga toad is the largest species of toad. These beauties are poisonous, but a person will not die when interacting with them. Most of all, they harm the environment and our resources. The Australian government considers these amphibians to be major pests and threats to the ecosystem. They reproduce very quickly and threaten many Australian species, which they happily eat in incredibly large quantities. The aga toad usually eats small rodents, reptiles, other amphibians, birds, bats... Its diet also includes a range of invertebrates. According to scientists, the border of the aga toad's distribution annually expands by 40-60 kilometers, and they continue to harm nature more and more.

5. Australian widow



The Australian black widow is one of the most poisonous spiders in Australia and the world. Its venom is neurotoxic and causes severe pain in humans. There were even deaths until an antidote was made in the 1950s. From that time to this day, only one person has died from the widow’s bite.

6. Platypus



These are probably the cutest animals on this list. But what you may not know is that the platypus is one of the few venomous mammals. On the hind legs of males there are spurs with poison. They use it during mating fights, but the platypus' venom can kill a dingo or other small animal. The poison is not fatal to humans, but causes very severe pain and swelling. In general, it is better to watch these cuties from afar.

7. McCoy's Taipan



McCoy's taipan is the most venomous of all land snake species in the world. At least, according to the results of experiments on mice, deaths after its bites in humans are unknown. But in fact, these snakes are quite shy. If they are not disturbed, they will simply crawl away when they encounter a person. Their relatives, the coastal taipan, are much more aggressive and more common. Either way, don't mess with taipans.

8. Kangaroo



The kangaroo is considered the symbol of Australia. But when one Australian expert was asked what the best thing to do if you encounter a kangaroo, he replied: "Just get out of their sight as quickly as possible." They can attack in such a way that they will have a hard time - their muscular legs can cause serious injuries to the enemy. Fortunately, attacks by kangaroos are quite rare. But nevertheless, they can be fatal.

9. Sydney Leukoweb Spider



This is one of the spiders whose appearance is instantly intimidating. But there is reason to be afraid of him! The Sydney spider has long fangs that can bite not only the skin, but also the nail plates. They are aggressive, attacking quickly and furiously, inflicting multiple bites. For humans, its bite can be fatal. Until an antidote was introduced, from 1927 to 1981, 13 people died from its bites. First of all, the poison is dangerous for humans and primates - it has no effect on mammals such as cats or dogs.

10. Reticulated Brown Snake



The snake to really watch out for in Australia is the brown reticulated snake. They are extremely aggressive, making a bite much more likely. They also often live in human-inhabited areas. Their bite is often painless, but this is deceptive. Since it consists of neurotoxins and blood coagulants, the victim is guaranteed loss of strength, dizziness, convulsions, kidney failure, cardiac arrest, and paralysis. Without medical attention, their bites can lead to death.