Poisonous snake, deadly spider… These countries to avoid so as not to come across nasty critters

Crocodiles, jellyfish, mosquitoes… Are you a victim of arachnophobia, entomophobia (fear of insects) or ophiophobia (fear of snakes)? You will then have to go your way to several places around the globe… Or take it upon yourself. Although splendid, these lands are home to feared animals. From Australia to Indonesia, an overview.

australia

Its Great Barrier Reef, its beaches coveted by surfers, its koalas and kangaroos, but also its blue-ringed octopuses, its stone fish and its crocodiles… How not to mention Australia? In these breathtaking natural landscapes, you are likely to come across several unpleasant creatures. Starting with the great white shark, which can measure up to more than six meters in length. His menacing stroke was popularized by Peter Benchley (then Steven Spielberg) in Jaws. However, if it happens to attack the man, it is not because this one constitutes a dish of choice. Indeed, a white shark attack targeting a human is, most of the time, linked to an error on the part of the animal. Besides Australia, it is also found in South Africa and the Caribbean.

You may also come across the box jellyfish, also called box jellyfish and cubozoan. It is the most venomous marine animal in the world. Extremely painful, its sting is often fatal. Most of the time, it can be found on beaches and in Australian waters between May and October. But, due to global warming, it is now necessary to be vigilant throughout the year…

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In Australia, you are also likely to encounter several species of reptiles – the territory is home to 140 of them. The Taipan, the most venomous species in the world, is one of them. You may also spot tiger snakes and brown snakes. All are poisonous.

Finally, beware of spiders. Starting with the famous Red-backed Black Widow, whose bite is painful but no longer fatal since an antidote has been developed. You can also come across the Atrax robustus tarantula, especially in the Sydney region. A word of advice: before putting on your shoes, check that one of these two species has not slipped into them.

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Costa Rica

About 500,000 species live there, or 5% of global biodiversity. No wonder, therefore, to come across dangerous animals in this small territory of just over 51,000 square kilometers. Starting with caimans and crocodiles. The former are notably represented by spectacled caimans. Females can reach 1.40 m, males 2.5 m. They are present in a large part of Central and South America: thus, you can come across them in Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil, or Colombia.

You may also encounter American crocodiles. More aggressive towards humans than caimans, they can reach six to seven meters in length. To distinguish the two species, observe their jaws: that of the crocodiles, longer, forms a “U”. That of the caimans, a “V”. Note that some guides may offer boat trips during which they feed these animals: in addition to the dangerousness and illegality of these excursions, they disrupt the ecosystem.

During a trip to Costa Rica, you may also come across another fearsome reptile: the Fer de Lance snake, which can gauge 2 meters. It hunts and lives most of the time at night and generally stays away from humans, although bites are regularly reported.

Read alsoCosta Rica, a unique concentration of biodiversity

Brasil

The fifth largest country in the world also has its share of unfriendly animals. Mosquitoes, in particular, proliferate there. Moreover, the Brazilian authorities intend to release next year 5 billion mosquitoes infected with a bacterium preventing them from transmitting certain diseases. This bacterium will be transmitted to bloodsuckers in the country during the breeding process.

And for good reason: in Brazil, these insects can carry the Zika virus, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya or even malaria. It is therefore strongly advised to sleep under a mosquito net at night. During visits, especially in the forest, it is recommended to spray with repellents of good quality. Finally, it is recommended to wear loose and bright clothes. You also risk coming across spiders, snakes and other scorpions during your stay in Brazil. To avoid them, pay attention to where you put your feet and think about shaking out your shoes before putting them on.

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India

The largest democracy in the world is, for its part, infested with snakes – the country has around 60 poisonous species. Starting with the “big four”, these four species responsible for the greatest number of deaths by snakebite: the Indian cobra, the Russel’s viper, the keeled echidae and the Indian bongare.

The first, which can measure up to more than two meters, lives at night. Its venom is very powerful: 9% of victims of the Indian cobra die from its bite after receiving medical treatment. Note, however, that the Indian cobra is not an aggressive snake. Conversely, Russel’s viper is particularly so. Able to reach up to 1.6 m in length, it is mainly present in South India. The keeled echide is smaller – up to about 80 centimeters long. But this species is also very aggressive. Its venom is five times more potent than that of the cobra. Finally, the Indian bongare is the last of the “big four”. Although painless, its bite can kill in two hours. As an indication, there are up to 50,000 snakebites per year in India.

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Indonesia

In addition to the wide variety of poisonous snakes that live there, Indonesia is also home to the Komodo dragon. This one lives exclusively on the Komodo, Flores, Rinca, Gili Dasami and Gili Motang islands. This lizard can use its tail to stun its prey. It also helps him stand up.

Massive, the Komodo dragon can measure up to three meters in length. Its maximum weight can reach 70 kilograms. Finally, its bite is poisonous: it prevents blood clotting. And can lead to paralysis or even death.

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Tanzania

Want to visit the Serengeti and see Kilimanjaro? In addition to its wonders, Tanzania is also full of animals that it is better not to come across. Starting with the infamous tsetse fly. Its bite can in particular (but not necessarily) transmit sleeping sickness to humans. Note: the tsetse fly is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Also present in the country that is nicknamed the “roof of Africa”: spiders. From the brown recluse spider with its sometimes deadly bite to the baboon spider with its very painful bite, passing by the yellow sac spider, the country would make more than one arachnophobe pale. Another animal that you may come across during your stay in Tanzania: the snake. Thus, the black mamba (the most venomous snake on the continent), the black-necked spitting cobra or the peliad viper litter this territory.

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See also – How Paris Became a Wild Animal Friendly City (Much More Than You Think)