Our Biggest Fears: Are Nightmares Made of Animals, or Are Unseen Creatures More Deadly?
Which animals are we most afraid of encountering in nature? Are these animals really as dangerous as we think? Or are there lesser-known creatures causing more fatal attacks? In this article, we will explore animal-related death rates to discover which animals are the most deadly.
15. Sharks: 8 Deaths per Year
Despite their fearsome reputation, sharks are unlikely to attack humans. Only about 8 people die each year from shark attacks. These incidents are rare and often exaggerated by the media.
14. Wolves: 10 Deaths per Year
Wolves generally do not attack humans. Very few wolf attacks have been recorded in Europe and North America over a 50-year period until 2002. Approximately 10 people die each year due to wolf attacks.
13. African Lions: 22+ Deaths per Year
African lions are among the largest predators in the wild. Around 70 people die each year in Tanzania alone, and about 250 people across Africa due to lion attacks.
12. Elephants: 600 Deaths per Year
Elephants are known for their size and strength. Around 600 people die each year from elephant attacks, often caused by trampling or being struck by their tusks.
11. Hippopotamuses: 500 Deaths per Year
Hippos are known for their aggressive nature and their tendency to capsize boats. Approximately 500 people die each year from hippo attacks.
10. Tapeworms: 700 Deaths per Year
From the world of parasites, tapeworms cause an infection known as cysticercosis, which leads to about 700 deaths annually.
9. Crocodiles: 1,000 Deaths per Year
Crocodiles are considered one of the deadliest animals in Africa. Approximately 1,000 people die each year from crocodile attacks.
8. Ascaris Roundworms: 4,500 Deaths per Year
Ascaris roundworms cause an infection called ascariasis, which leads to about 4,500 deaths annually according to a 2013 study.
7. Tsetse Flies: 10,000 Deaths per Year
Tsetse flies transmit a disease known as sleeping sickness, causing around 10,000 deaths annually. This disease can lead to severe neurological issues and is fatal if untreated.
6. Assassin Bugs: 12,000 Deaths per Year
Assassin bugs, also known as kissing bugs, transmit Chagas disease, leading to about 12,000 deaths each year. This parasitic infection is spread through bites on the face.
5. Freshwater Snails: 20,000 Deaths per Year
Freshwater snails carry parasitic worms that cause schistosomiasis. This disease, according to WHO estimates, results in 20,000 to 200,000 deaths annually.
4. Dogs: 35,000 Deaths per Year
Rabies-infected dogs are responsible for about 35,000 deaths each year. According to WHO, 99% of rabies cases are transmitted by dogs.
3. Snakes: 100,000 Deaths per Year
Snake bites cause more than 100,000 deaths each year since 2015. The lack of antivenom increases the fatality rates.
2. Humans: 475,000 Deaths per Year
Around 475,000 people die each year from attacks by other humans, making humans one of the biggest threats to themselves.
1. Mosquitoes: 750,000 Deaths per Year
Mosquitoes kill approximately 750,000 people each year by transmitting diseases like malaria and dengue fever. These diseases particularly affect children in Asia and Latin America, causing significant health issues.
This list shows that the animals we fear most are not necessarily the most dangerous in terms of death rates. The deadliest creatures are often small and unnoticed in daily life. Therefore, being informed about these animals and taking appropriate precautions is crucial for protecting our health and safety.