- From trash pandas to family-loving swans, here’s a bunch of creatures you’d better leave alone.
We’re all familiar with the kinds of dangerous animals you should stay away from. No one in their right mind would mess with lions, tigers, bears, or even ill-tempered dogs or cats.
But not every critter that can hurt you seems outwardly threatening. Many small, pathetic, and even cute animals are more than capable of opening a can of whoop-ass on you if they feel like it.
Here are 8 examples of animals both common and exotic that are surprisingly dangerous. You may not run into some of them daily but if you happen to find one on a trip to distant lands — stay away.
1. Hedgehog
“Of course hedgehogs can be dangerous!” you say. Indeed, they are covered in sharp spines that you don’t want to touch.
But you wouldn’t believe that with all the pet hedgehogs you see posted on the internet every day.
Now, it’s legal to own a hedgehog in most of the U.S. But you need to handle the little pincushion very carefully.
Not only will those spines hurt, but you may contract all kinds of nasty infections from them. One of the most common things you can catch from hedgehog stings is a dermatophyte infection — in other words, ringworm.
2. Giant Anteater
You may wonder how an anteater could hurt you. It certainly won’t be biting you, what with their tiny mouths.
But it’s not the mouth, or the long tongue within, that you have to watch out for. It’s those nasty claws.
After all, an anteater needs to be able to break into ant and termite nests for its food. Giant anteaters have big, strong claws on their front paws that can do some serious damage.
Giant anteaters have attacked and seriously wounded zookeepers and poachers alike. They can even kill you — in one case, a well-aimed slash from an anteater’s claws disemboweled an unfortunate hunter.
3. Catfish
Catfish are delicious and they’re served for food all around the world prepared in various fish. But fishermen and cooks alike need to be cautious when handling these fish.
Most catfish have hard, sharp defensive spines at the roots of their fins. With careless handling, they can easily pierce the skin.
Some catfish species are venomous and dangerously so. Fishermen die every year from catfish stings before they can reach the shore to get medical treatment.
But even non-venomous catfish stings can be dangerous. The fish and the water they live in are usually home to all kinds of bacteria that could infections and gangrene bad enough to necessitate amputation.
4. Squirrel
A squirrel is a small animal that’s very unlikely to harm you — it’ll probably just try to run away from people. Unless someone has been feeding it, that is.
Increased contact between people and squirrels has led to the critters losing their natural fear of humans in many places. And when a squirrel doesn’t fear you, you’ll find out that they’re actually pretty violent jerks.
Their nasty little teeth and claws can quickly cause considerable wounds. Sure, you can probably grab the thing and toss it away, but good luck ripping it off if it has managed to bite onto your arm.
Case in point, a squirrel in England went nuts and attacked 18 people within a span of 48 hours. And it was all because one elderly lady kept feeding it.
5. Raccoon
Raccoons aren’t much bigger than your average cat. But if you’ve ever had to wrangle a pissed-off cat, you know a small animal can pack a bunch.
Raccoons are shockingly strong for their size. They also have very sharp claws and teeth that can really hurt you.
But they aren’t the biggest risk with raccoons. It’s the fact that they’re often crawling with disease.
After all, everyone’s favorite trash pandas love garbage and are often coated with all manners of filth. Additionally, they can carry rabies, which can be deadly to both humans and pets.
6. Leopard Seal
You may have seen leopard seals at aquariums or in nature documentaries. And although seals often have a reputation for being docile, adorable balls of blubber, that doesn’t apply to these weirdly alien-looking predators.
To begin with, leopard seals are huge. They regularly grow to be more than 10 feet long and can weigh more than 1,300 pounds.
They have sharp teeth that they use to chow down on penguins and other Antarctic creatures. But as apex predators (their only enemy is the even more bloodthirsty orca) they’re not above trying to take a bite out of a person.
In 2003, a leopard seal killed a biologist in Antarctica by biting onto her leg and dragging her into the freezing ocean. This is the only known human fatality caused by a leopard seal — most likely because few people will ever go to Antarctica.
7. Slow Loris
The slow loris is a bizarre-looking primate from Southeast Asia. They’re small, big-eyed creatures who like to shyly cover their faces when spotted.
But that strangely cute creature has a nasty surprise. Slow lorises have toxic bites that can cause some problems.
Curiously, their bites aren’t venomous in themselves. The toxin comes from a sweat gland on the lorises elbows that they lick to coat their teeth in poison.
The toxin is unlikely to cause serious harm to you unless you happen to be allergic to it. Fun fact, the active substance in the loris’ poison is the same that causes cat allergy — so keep away from slow lorises if you’re allergic to cats.
8. Swan
Ah, swans. These graceful, long-necked birds are often symbols of love due to their monogamous, life-long relationships.
But steer clear of the lovebirds if it’s nesting season. A swan guarding its nest will fly into a frothing rage and attack anything that it considers a danger to its offspring.
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a goose attack, you know how much that sucks. Now, imagine the same thing but the psychotic bird is two times bigger.
But that just goes to show that swans are all about the family. Mess with their kids or spouse and there’ll be hell to pay.