Venom has evolved over hundreds of millions of years, creating a “chemical arms race” between predators and prey.
Top 10 Most Venomous Animals on Earth
Scientists have even identified a dinosaur from the early Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago) that used venom to stun its prey into a “rapid shock state.”
1. Irukandji Jellyfish
The venom of the Irukandji jellyfish attacks the nervous system, potentially paralyzing the lungs and heart of its prey – (Image: Getty).
The Irukandji jellyfish is a tiny species, measuring about 2 cm in diameter. Its venom causes Irukandji syndrome, attacking the nervous system and can paralyze the lungs and heart of its prey.
2. Platypus
The venom of the platypus causes swelling and severe pain – (Image: Getty).
Adult male platypuses have hollow spurs on their hind legs connected to venom-secreting glands. Their venom peaks during mating season, suggesting that it is used as a weapon to compete with other males for access to females.
The venom is not lethal to other platypuses, but it can cause severe swelling and pain.
3. Black Mamba
The black mamba is the longest venomous snake in Africa – (Image: Getty).
The black mamba is the longest venomous snake in Africa, measuring about 2.5 meters in length. It is also one of the fastest snakes in the world, reaching speeds of approximately 20 km/h.
If untreated, a black mamba bite is nearly always fatal. Each fang of an adult black mamba contains 12 to 20 drops of venom, and just two drops can kill a person.
4. Cone Snail
There is no antidote for the sting of a cone snail – (Image: Getty).
Cone snails are found in the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, growing up to 15 cm and are the most venomous among the 500 known cone snail species.
There is no antidote for a cone snail sting, and treatment involves keeping the victim alive until the venom wears off.
5. Bullet Ant
A bullet ant sting is excruciatingly painful, akin to being shot – (Image: Shutterstock).
Bullet ants cause one of the most painful stings in the world, often compared to being shot, and the pain can persist continuously for 24 hours.
They inject venom that targets the nerve cells involved in pain sensation, causing paralysis at the sting site and uncontrollable shaking. Although bullet ant venom paralyzes and kills small creatures, it is not lethal to humans.
6. Komodo Dragon
Komodo dragons use venom secreted from glands in their lower jaws to subdue prey – (Image: Getty).
As the largest lizard on Earth, Komodo dragons can reach lengths of up to 3 meters. Along with their massive serrated teeth used to rip prey apart and saliva filled with bacteria, they also employ venom secreted from glands in their lower jaws to incapacitate prey.
This venom causes shock and prevents blood clotting, ultimately leading to the prey’s demise and allowing the Komodo dragon to feast at leisure.
7. Bruno Frog
The venom of the Bruno frog is 25 times more potent than that of the tiger viper – (Image: Getty).
The venom of the Bruno frog is stored in skin glands around its head, ready to be delivered through bony spines along its skull. This venom is estimated to be 25 times more potent than that of the tiger viper. Just 1 gram of venom can kill 80 people.
8. Blue-Ringed Octopus
No known antidote exists for the venom of the blue-ringed octopus – (Image: Getty).
There are four species of blue-ringed octopus, including the greater blue-ringed octopus, the southern blue-ringed octopus, the striped blue-ringed octopus, and the common blue-ringed octopus.
All are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. However, they contain a powerful neurotoxin that can paralyze and kill a person within minutes. Currently, there is no known antidote for this venom.
9. Russell’s Viper
Russell’s viper is responsible for a large portion of the 58,000 deaths from snake bites in India each year – (Image: Getty).
As one of the deadliest snakes in the world, Russell’s viper accounts for a significant portion of the 58,000 snakebite deaths in India each year, according to a study published in 2021.
Russell’s viper kills many people because it has potent venom and often appears in rice fields, crossing paths with farmers during the harvest season.
According to a 2014 report, their venom can cause numerous symptoms, including severe bleeding, organ damage, and kidney failure.
Antivenom is available, but those bitten often live in rural areas without quick access to care, while many still rely on traditional healers instead of going to medical professionals.
10. Sydney Funnel-Web Spider
A bite from a Sydney funnel-web spider can kill a person in just 15 minutes – (Image: Getty).
The Sydney funnel-web spider is found throughout the coastal regions of eastern Australia. The venom secreted by males contains neurotoxins that can be fatal to humans.
A bite from a Sydney funnel-web spider can kill a person in just 15 minutes. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported since the introduction of antivenom nearly 50 years ago.
Other Dangerous Venomous Animals
- Horseback caterpillar.
- Brazilian wandering spider.
- Deathstalker scorpion.
- Slow loris.
- King cobra.
- Red fire ant.
- Inland taipan.
- Devil bat.
- Stonefish.
- Southern black widow spider.
- Portuguese Man o’ War.
- Eastern brown snake.
- Red lionfish.
- Redback spider.
- Gila monster.
- Asian giant hornet.
- Flower sea urchin.
- Spiny starfish.
- Fer-de-lance snake.
- Giant silk moth.
- Amazonian giant centipede.
- Australian box jellyfish.
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