As a kid, seeing lizard on the walls was the scariest thing for you, it would instill such quantum of fear deep inside us that we would refrain from entering the washrooms or kitchen until someone considered bold enough than us by our standards would come and scare it off. Now, if a small lizard could have such a terrifying effect on us, consider what will happen when we get close to some of the scariest snakes, crocodiles, lizards or turtles. Here are the ten most dangerous reptiles in the world.
10. Rattlesnake:
Rattlesnakes are venomous and can inflict serious harm. These unaggressive snakes only strike when threatened, so it is easy in most cases to avoid danger. Most of the 10,000 or so people bit by poisonous snakes annually in the United States, receive bites when attempting to do something to it, catch or corner it. Rattlesnakes will look for any chance to escape confrontation. The telltale rattle is a warning it gives out when it feels threatened.
Currently, 32 species of rattlesnakes are located in the United States, with most of them located in the southwest. Smaller populations of perhaps a single species can be found in other parts of the country. Native to California, several regional species include the Pacific Rattler, Diamondback and Sidewinder.
Rattlers come in different color and var from brownish gray to greenish and can grow to a length of 2 metres. They have distinct, broad triangular heads with narrow necks and yellow eyes. Their pupils are elliptical. The snakes blend in so well with their surroundings that if you disturb a rattler while hiking, for example, you might not know it until you hear the warning sound of its rattle. Do not make sudden or threatening movements towards the snake. Simply go away!
If bitten by a rattlesnake DO NOT do any of the following:
- Do not make incisions over the bite wound.
- Do not restrict blood flow by applying a tourniquet.
- Do not ice the wound.
- Do not bathe the wound in water.
- Do not suck the poison out with your mouth.
9. Komodo Dragon:
Komodo dragon is the largest living lizards, a fully grown lizard reaches up to a maximum of 2.5ft – 3ft and can weigh about 150kgs -170kgs. Found in the Indonesian islands the Komodo dragons are limited to the parts of Komodo, Flores, Padar and Rinca. Due to their large size and weight they usually prey upon a large and a wide variety of food that mostly include deer, birds, mammals and other small lizards. Their huge body size, fangs and the name dragon speaks for itself as to why this reptile is on this list.
8. Seawater Crocodile:
Crocodiles are prehistoric creatures capable of wreaking a terrible punishment on any human that comes his way. Seawater Crocodiles, North American, Estuarine and Nile crocodiles are the most dangerous and probably kill more people yearly than figures show due to the isolated areas where attacks are likely to take place and distance from help. The Saltwater Crocodile is the stuff of nightmares – it can grow up to 5.45 metres in length and can bee seen in Thailand, Vietnam and Northern Australia. It’s usually well camouflaged and strikes at a high speed Its most powerful attack (the ‘Death Roll’) consists of grabbing its prey and rolling with it powerfully until it dies.
7. Nile Monitor:
The Nile Monitor are located in the rivers of Africa and Asia. The length of one Nile Monitor is approximately 8-10 feet and it is one of the most dangerous crocodiles in the wold. It is powerful and have infectious bite, this is why the human beings should stay miles away from them.. Their nostrils are placed high on their snouts, indicating these animals are highly aquatic.
6. Taipan:
Taipan originates from Australia. This is a highly venomous and dangerous snake, known to kill more than 11000 guinea pigs, so stay away. This snake can insert the neurotoxic venom in your body. The venom will block the blood circulation and the arteries and veins might burst, leading to immediate death.
5. Mata Mata Turtle:
It’s like a bundle of dead leaves and wood given the breath of life and let out on an ugly, smiley-faced rampage. The Matamata Turtle is really good at staying still. Their whole body and shell clearly distract the reptile’s slow moving and stagnant South American waters it lives in. We’re talking swamps and marshes and stuff, where the water is brown and dirty from all the leaves and wood that fall in and rot. It is for this reason that the Matamata Turtle has her nostrils at the end of a snorkel. They can swim well if they need to, but they prefer to stay at the shallow end and put their nose to the surface
They make this top ten list of dangerous reptiles for a reason. These terrifying reptiles are native to rivers and oceans of those lands and posses venomous poison. Their teeth are extremely sharp to tear their preys into pieces in no time.
4. Leatherback Sea Turtle
This turtle is the largest specie of turtles, occasionally reaching over 8 feet in length. These 2,000 pound omnivores are possibly the widest ranging vertebrate animal on Earth, but are becoming endangered due to development, pollution and bycatch. The turtles are usually fairly quiet and non threatening giants, but can deliver a bone shattering bite when disturbed, and are extremely strong and powerful. In one bizarre case, a huge leatherback, likely weighing over 1500 pounds turned its aggression toward a small boat and attacked it. The turtle had just been chased by a shark, so the boat was considered a threat.
3. Death Adder:
The Death Adders are found in New Guinea and Australia. Death adders are easily distinguishable from other snakes by the very short, squat bodies, rapidly tapering tail and the broad triangular head. Colouration varies widely but most species exhibit some form of banded pattern in shades of brown or grey. The tail tip is usually a different colour to the rest of the body, often brightly coloured and is used as a lure by wriggling it to attract potential prey. Adult death adders are rarely longer than a metre in length.
When aroused, this highly dangerous snake will flatten its entire body, ready to strike over a short distance. It is nocturnal, hiding by day and coming out to feed at night. Although it has the appearance of a viper, it is related to the cobra family. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin; its causes mortality in about 50 percent of the victims, even with treatment.
Its venom is extremely potent. Just like the tiger snake, the death adder’s venom has a very low LD50-value. It can inject as much as 100 mg of venom, whereas the LD50 is only 0.5 mg/kg. If humans have the same resistance to death adder venom as mice, there would be more than a 50% chance that an ordinary person would die from a death adder bite. Stay Away!
2. Vipers:
The Viper snake is found in almost all parts of the world. Two of its major forms are Chain Viper and Saw Scaled Viper. These two species are highly dangerous and primarily found in India, China and Pakistan. They live in rainy and wet areas and their venom can lead the victim to immediate death. You should stay miles away from these snakes because they can bite you all of sudden, leading to necrosis, vomiting, paralysis and excessive bleeding.
1. Green Iguana:
The Green Iguana can be found in Africa, Brazil, and the Americas. This is one of the most terrifying iguana you will ever meet, if you see one. It has razor-sharp teeth and injures the human beings. The approximate weight of one iguana is 20 pounds. This is why, it is also known as gigantic lizard.
Is the Green Iguana always green? Not exactly, Green Iguanas can be other colors. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in other locations, baby Green Iguanas have the brightest green color – a florescent green. The juveniles are also bright green. Older iguanas however tend to have a darker olive green coloring with brown, and they can have black markings. So don’t be fooled by its name!
As important, don’t feed the iguanas, this gets them used to people and to hand outs. They can find food on their own, human food may not be good for them as its not naturally in their diet and losing their natural fear of humans makes them both vulnerable to possible harm and can make them nuisances to people who rather not have them near.