Most dangerous aussie animals
Australia is one of the scenic destination's around the world holding many iconic animals that are only found here. There are many animals that are no trouble to you but there are the few that are extremely dangerous and could ruin your entire holiday. This list defines what they are and how to stay alive!
Article by Thomas
Article by Thomas
8. Stone fish
The Stone fish is said to be the most venomous fish around. It is probably the most venomous animal in the sea and it is one of the most deadly ambush predators in the world.
What it looks like:
The fish are quite small and only grow up to 0.6 of a metre. Its eyes are at a higher level then other fish and its colours are brown to reddish brown to blend in with the background.
Where its found:
The Stone Fish is found throughout the Indo-Pacific area of the ocean. They are in reefs most of the time as they can blend in with ease. They are found in the warmer areas of the sea and not that deep down.
How to avoid it
The Stone fish is an ambush predator as it waits for its prey. So just have a careful eye out for them as they are ore then likely camouflaged . If one does bite you then go get some first aid the seek proper medical attention.
What it looks like:
The fish are quite small and only grow up to 0.6 of a metre. Its eyes are at a higher level then other fish and its colours are brown to reddish brown to blend in with the background.
Where its found:
The Stone Fish is found throughout the Indo-Pacific area of the ocean. They are in reefs most of the time as they can blend in with ease. They are found in the warmer areas of the sea and not that deep down.
How to avoid it
The Stone fish is an ambush predator as it waits for its prey. So just have a careful eye out for them as they are ore then likely camouflaged . If one does bite you then go get some first aid the seek proper medical attention.
7. Australian funnel web spider
The Australian Funnel Web is by far a very dangerous spider. The category of the Australian Funnel Web is considered the most dangerous category of spider in the world. They have enough power to bit through nails and softer shoes
What it looks like:
The Funnel web is quite large in size with them ranging from 1 cm to 5. They are dark in colour and have quite large fangs hat are full of venom. the ale has larger legs for mating. They are closely related to the tarantula.
Where its found:
They are mainly found on the eastern coast and a bit into South Australia. They are not found in WA or the Northern Territory. They are found mainly under rocks or in cool damp places in the soil.
How to avoid it
Just be really careful when lifting rocks or looking in damp paces on the east coast. If you are bitten lower the limb so it doesn't get to the heart and put a compression bandage on it immedently and then go straight to your nearest hospital as they are extremely venomous.
What it looks like:
The Funnel web is quite large in size with them ranging from 1 cm to 5. They are dark in colour and have quite large fangs hat are full of venom. the ale has larger legs for mating. They are closely related to the tarantula.
Where its found:
They are mainly found on the eastern coast and a bit into South Australia. They are not found in WA or the Northern Territory. They are found mainly under rocks or in cool damp places in the soil.
How to avoid it
Just be really careful when lifting rocks or looking in damp paces on the east coast. If you are bitten lower the limb so it doesn't get to the heart and put a compression bandage on it immedently and then go straight to your nearest hospital as they are extremely venomous.
Click here to REDIRECT to the "How to treat a snake/spider bite" Article for more information
6. blue ringed octopus
The Blue Ringed Octopus is up there with being one of the most deadly sea creatures. It is also one of the most recognisable sea creatures due to there rings. Its venom is so powerful that is can cause cardiac arrest soon after.
What it looks like:
It is one of the most recognisable sea creatures with its yellowish skin and the black and blue rings all over its body. These rings will darken if it is feeling threatened by your presence. They are extremely small animals about the size of a golf ball being the smallest.
Where its found:
The Blue Ringed Octopus is found mainly over in New South Wales, South Australia and in the north of Western Australia. They are found in reefs all around those areas. They are also found in tide pools but mainly in reefs that have a lot of food.
How to avoid it
Just make sure when you are swimming in a reef just have an eye out for the blue rings. If you see one and the rings are darker in colour just back away as it is agitated. If in does get you there is not much you can do as there is no treatment but do hat you do with all venomous bites to increase survival.
What it looks like:
It is one of the most recognisable sea creatures with its yellowish skin and the black and blue rings all over its body. These rings will darken if it is feeling threatened by your presence. They are extremely small animals about the size of a golf ball being the smallest.
Where its found:
The Blue Ringed Octopus is found mainly over in New South Wales, South Australia and in the north of Western Australia. They are found in reefs all around those areas. They are also found in tide pools but mainly in reefs that have a lot of food.
How to avoid it
Just make sure when you are swimming in a reef just have an eye out for the blue rings. If you see one and the rings are darker in colour just back away as it is agitated. If in does get you there is not much you can do as there is no treatment but do hat you do with all venomous bites to increase survival.
5. Red Back spider
The Red Back Spider is Australia's most famous animal for the wrong reason. It is known world wide as the most notorious killer. This spider is on of the nocturnal animals that catches its prey. It is a introduced species to Australia.
What it looks like:
The Female is about 1 cm long and has long slender legs with longer front ones. The back is the round being mainly black with the red stripe on the abdomen. The males are only 3-4 mm long and are not toxic. They have quite small fangs compared to other spiders.
Where its found:
It is found only in Australia and is widely distributed all over the country. It is found in drier climates and mainly in the desert. They are found close to human residence and mainly in Perth, Brisbane and Alice Springs.
How to avoid it
When working in dry areas just make sure that you check what you are holding to make sure that it has no spiders. If you are bitten don't worry to much as only 20% of people but if you do feel symptoms see the Spider Bite article.
What it looks like:
The Female is about 1 cm long and has long slender legs with longer front ones. The back is the round being mainly black with the red stripe on the abdomen. The males are only 3-4 mm long and are not toxic. They have quite small fangs compared to other spiders.
Where its found:
It is found only in Australia and is widely distributed all over the country. It is found in drier climates and mainly in the desert. They are found close to human residence and mainly in Perth, Brisbane and Alice Springs.
How to avoid it
When working in dry areas just make sure that you check what you are holding to make sure that it has no spiders. If you are bitten don't worry to much as only 20% of people but if you do feel symptoms see the Spider Bite article.
CLICK HERE TO REDIRECT TO THE "HOW TO TREAT A SNAKE/SPIDER BITE" ARTICLE FOR MORE INFORMATION
4. tiger snake
The tiger snake is one of the most known snakes in Australia for all the wrong reasons. It is the most dangerous snake but also has the most readily available cure. This snake is one of the greatest killers of Australians every year.
What it looks like:
Tiger snake are quite large in size some of them growing up to 2.9 metres. They vary in colours but the most common one is the yellow belly tiger snake. The top of the snake is mainly black or brown to blend in with the environment.
Where its found:
They are found mainly around wetlands including the sea and swamps. They are territorial snakes so you won't find to many in one area t one given moment. They are found everywhere except the Northern Territory.
How to avoid it
When walking through bush land just make sure to stamp your feet as they sense the vibrations and move out of the way. If you are confronted leave the snake room to get away as it will not attack unless it is cornered. If you are bitten compress the area and go to the nearest hospital for the anti-venom.
What it looks like:
Tiger snake are quite large in size some of them growing up to 2.9 metres. They vary in colours but the most common one is the yellow belly tiger snake. The top of the snake is mainly black or brown to blend in with the environment.
Where its found:
They are found mainly around wetlands including the sea and swamps. They are territorial snakes so you won't find to many in one area t one given moment. They are found everywhere except the Northern Territory.
How to avoid it
When walking through bush land just make sure to stamp your feet as they sense the vibrations and move out of the way. If you are confronted leave the snake room to get away as it will not attack unless it is cornered. If you are bitten compress the area and go to the nearest hospital for the anti-venom.
CLICK HERE TO REDIRECT TO THE "HOW TO TREAT A SNAKE/SPIDER BITE" ARTICLE FOR MORE INFORMATION
3. saltwater crocidle
The Saltwater Crocodile is the worlds most feared reptile and by far the largest. This beast kills 400 people a year and is one of the highest killers. They are most famous for the Death Roll which very little animals survive. They live in rivers and around the coast wherever they can.
What it looks like:
The Saltie has scales like all other crocodiles that is brown when dry but are dark green whilst in water. They have a larger snout then other crocodiles and a wider mouth. It is the largest of all crocodiles and reptiles and there tails a striped.
Where's it found:
They are found in the Northern Australia, Indonesian Islands, PNG and southern Asia. They are found mainly around the coast in saltwater so that is where they got there name. They are most famous in the Northern Territory then any where else.
How to avoid it:
These animals are extremely territorial and will treat anything in it as prey. The only chance of survival is if you can stay away from the crocodile. If you are bitten go seek medical attention. If the crocodile does get a hold on you there is very little chance of survival and the only hope is to lye still and pretend to be dead. This is because they leave there food out to rot so that is your chance of escape.
What it looks like:
The Saltie has scales like all other crocodiles that is brown when dry but are dark green whilst in water. They have a larger snout then other crocodiles and a wider mouth. It is the largest of all crocodiles and reptiles and there tails a striped.
Where's it found:
They are found in the Northern Australia, Indonesian Islands, PNG and southern Asia. They are found mainly around the coast in saltwater so that is where they got there name. They are most famous in the Northern Territory then any where else.
How to avoid it:
These animals are extremely territorial and will treat anything in it as prey. The only chance of survival is if you can stay away from the crocodile. If you are bitten go seek medical attention. If the crocodile does get a hold on you there is very little chance of survival and the only hope is to lye still and pretend to be dead. This is because they leave there food out to rot so that is your chance of escape.
2. box jellyfish
The Box Jellyfish is very different to many jellyfish. First it is box shaped and second it is extremely fast by jellyfish standards. They hold an extremely powerful poison in the tentacle which hurts a lot if stung and can sometimes lead to death. Unlike other jellyfish it hunts it prey instead of waiting for it to come to the jellyfish.
What it looks like:
True to its name the Box Jellyfish is box shaped in the top whilst is has long tentacles that hold the venom. The jellyfish usually only has four tentacles instead of multiple like other jellyfish.
Where's it found:
They are found in the ocean in warmer tropical waters. The main place that they are found are in the Indo-Pacific area as these are warmed but some have been found in the Mediterranean. They are found closer to the coast as food is found easy.
How to avoid it:
The Box Jellyfish is quite small and can get almost any where so the best way to avoid it is to swim in Jellyfish nets so that it can't get to you. If you are stung by it you should run water or vinegar over the sting then seek medical attention.
What it looks like:
True to its name the Box Jellyfish is box shaped in the top whilst is has long tentacles that hold the venom. The jellyfish usually only has four tentacles instead of multiple like other jellyfish.
Where's it found:
They are found in the ocean in warmer tropical waters. The main place that they are found are in the Indo-Pacific area as these are warmed but some have been found in the Mediterranean. They are found closer to the coast as food is found easy.
How to avoid it:
The Box Jellyfish is quite small and can get almost any where so the best way to avoid it is to swim in Jellyfish nets so that it can't get to you. If you are stung by it you should run water or vinegar over the sting then seek medical attention.
1. great white
The Great White Shark is known as the man killer of the deep but the fact is that the Great White doesn't actually kill that many people a year compared to other animals. The Great white usually just does a test bite to see if something is good for eating but humans are to bony for sharks but unfortunately they usually leave the person to bleed out so you normally die in the end. It is the second most universally known predator in the world
What it looks like:
Much like the name says the shark is white on its underside whilst grey on the top to blend in. The shark is pointy with three fins and a vertical tail that distinguishes it from the dolphin. Eyes are on the side of its head with a large mouth that contains 300 sharp teeth
Where's it found:
It is found in oceans all over the world but is mainly the southern oceans as they are warmer in temperature. The main lands they are around is Australia, The Pacific Islands, South Africa, South America.
How to avoid it:
The best way to avoid the shark is to swim with friends or at a patrolled beach. If you are being circled by a shark you should stay still and just make yourself seem as small of a threat as possible. If attacked hit the nose or the eyes as they are sensitive points for a shark in general.
What it looks like:
Much like the name says the shark is white on its underside whilst grey on the top to blend in. The shark is pointy with three fins and a vertical tail that distinguishes it from the dolphin. Eyes are on the side of its head with a large mouth that contains 300 sharp teeth
Where's it found:
It is found in oceans all over the world but is mainly the southern oceans as they are warmer in temperature. The main lands they are around is Australia, The Pacific Islands, South Africa, South America.
How to avoid it:
The best way to avoid the shark is to swim with friends or at a patrolled beach. If you are being circled by a shark you should stay still and just make yourself seem as small of a threat as possible. If attacked hit the nose or the eyes as they are sensitive points for a shark in general.