Unusual poisonous animals. The most reptiles

Most people are well aware of the dangers posed by crocodiles and snakes, but much less aware of the dangers that can come from turtles and lizards. Our list includes monsters of the reptile class, meeting which does not bode well:

Big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum)

It is the only species of the genus of the same name from the family of snapping turtles. It got a rather strange appearance due to its long, snake-like tail, almost as long as its body. Habitat: Southeast Asia. A freshwater reptile cannot retract its large head into its shell, which is compensated by very powerful jaws, so it’s better to keep your distance from her. Able to climb trees, sitting on branches as a perch. Unfortunately, this species of reptile is endangered due to poaching.

Venomtooth (Helodermatidae)

The only venomous lizard in the animal world, it is the largest in North America, usually reaching a length of more than 0.6 m. When disturbed, the reptile can fend for itself: the poisonous lizard grabs the legs or arms of its enemy, then plunges its teeth into them and quickly releases its extremely neurotoxic venom . Several deaths occurred after encounters with venom teeth until scientists were able to develop a treatment. These lizards do not have fangs, so they use enormous power, slowly chewing on a human hand and leaving behind flesh soaked in poison. If you immerse a reptile in water, there is a chance that it may release its prey. Representatives of the family of vultures are endangered and protected by law.

Leathery sea ​​turtle(Dermochelys coriacea)


The largest of all turtles: its length can reach 2.5 m and weight – 900 kg. Unfortunately, the population of these omnivorous creatures is declining. It is not recommended to disturb the tranquility of these rather gentle giants, as they are capable of breaking bones with one crushing blow. There was a case when one turtle barely broke away from the sharks pursuing it and sank a small boat that got in its way, perceiving it as a threat.

Common turtle (Macroclemys temminckii)


The largest freshwater turtle on Earth, and by far the most dangerous. The more than 90-pound reptiles are covered in a spiked shell much like dinosaur skin and have a massive beak that can be used to bite off any part of the body. A swimmer who accidentally steps next to you can easily lose part of his leg. Individuals of this species grow throughout their lifespan (which can reach 200 years), so adult snapping turtles can reach a weight of about 180 kilograms.

Large softshell turtle (Pelochelys bibroni)


What it lacks in shell it makes up for with a powerful bite. The most terrible individuals - the giant soft-bodied Cantor turtles - are common in China. Hiding in the sand, they wait for their prey and then strike it with their sharp teeth. Due to its enormous size and bite force, it is a real threat to the unwary person. Unfortunately, this reptile species is endangered.

Common iguana, or green iguana(Iguana iguana)


Despite the fact that this reptile is a herbivore, it nevertheless has sharp razor teeth and can be quite unpredictable. A number of cases have been recorded in which owners keeping “tame” iguanas at home received rather severe injuries: when excited, the animals rushed into their faces, tearing the skin with their claws and teeth. Some representatives of this class of reptiles can reach 18 kilograms in weight and 2 meters in length, thereby representing a creature that it is better to try to avoid meeting.

Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)


Some individuals can reach 3 meters in length. The creepy lizard feeds on young crocodiles, mammals and birds, hunting them with its powerful venomous bite. If it feels (from a person or animal) a threat of attack, it grabs it in a vice with crushing force, then reluctantly releases its prey.

Fringed turtle, or Mata-Mata (Chelus fimbriatus)


These creatures live in South America, in river basins from the Orinoco to the Amazon, sharing water space with river dolphins and piranhas. What will happen to a person who is unlucky enough to step on it is unknown, but this reptile with a bizarre appearance has an elongated snake-like neck and a strange mouth filled with two sharp plates reminiscent of fused human teeth. The unusually creepy carnivores hunt waterbirds, fish and other reptiles.

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)


It lives on the beaches, plateaus and woodlands of the Indonesian islands, being a threat to almost every living thing, like prehistoric predator. Komodo dragons reach a length of 3 meters and weigh about 136 kg, being the largest lizards on the planet. This type of reptile feeds on buffaloes and can attack and eat people: knocking down large prey, these monsters then attack, tearing off big pieces flesh. With their toxic saliva and bacteria, they weaken the prey, which does not die immediately. According to scientists, Komodo dragons evolved to feed on the already extinct dwarf elephants of Komodo Island.

Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator)


The second heaviest lizard on the planet. Lives in the deep waters of rivers and swamps in the territory South-East Asia. The reptile has curved teeth and will not refuse to eat corpses, in addition to a wide variety of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. A person falling into water in which several monitor lizards are feeding at once can awaken their hunting instinct and provoke their attack. Typically, Malayan water monitors reach a length of up to 3 meters, while weighing about 70 kilograms.

The iguana has become quite a popular pet in last years, and this giant, prehistoric reptile is now acting as an alternative to the dog. Although the iguana is a herbivore, it can be unpredictable and has razor-sharp teeth. In a number of cases, severe injuries were sustained when the “tame” but powerful iguanas became agitated and rushed into the owners’ faces or tore their hands with their teeth and claws. An iguana can weigh up to 18 kg and reach 2 meters in length, making an attack by this giant lizard an event not to be joked about.

2. Leatherback sea turtle

The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all turtles, sometimes reaching 2.5 meters in length. These 900-pound omnivorous creatures are perhaps the most widespread vertebrates on Earth, but they are becoming rare and endangered due to development, pollution and overfishing. Turtles are usually quite gentle giants, but if disturbed they can break bones with a crushing bite and can be very strong and powerful. In one strange case, a huge leatherback weighing more than 680 kg, showed aggression towards the small boat and sank it. The turtle barely escaped being chased by sharks, so it perceived the boat as a threat.

3. Mata Mata Turtle

The South American Amazon is famous for its incredible and sometimes disturbing creatures. The unearthly Mata Mata turtles share the river with piranhas and river dolphins. The fate of the man who stepped on the Mata Mata is unknown, but the strange river reptile has an elongated, snake-like neck with a strange mouth filled with two sharp plates that resemble fused human teeth. These unusually creepy carnivores prey on waterbirds, fish and other reptiles. We can only imagine what they will do to a boatman who approaches the water...

4. Big-headed turtle

Big Headed Turtle Presents strange looking with a long, snake-like tail almost as long as her body. This turtle is native to Southeast Asia, where it hunts a variety of prey in rivers. Big head cannot be retracted into the shell and is equipped with very powerful jaws. The turtle won't hesitate to use its crushing bone beak if it perceives a threat, so it's best to keep your distance. They are able to climb trees, where they perch as if on a perch. Unfortunately this amazing creature is under threat due to poaching, which must be combated with increased diligence.

5. Softshell turtles

Looking like flattened human-reptile hybrids from a horror movie, soft-shelled turtles make up for what they lack in their shells. strong bite. Among the many species of soft-shelled turtles around the world, Cantor's Giant Soft-shelled turtles, common in China, are the most feared. They hide in the sand, waiting for prey before striking it with their sharp teeth. The sheer size and force of the bite can cause horrific injuries. However, this species is unfortunately currently endangered, but more mass species soft-shelled turtles, such as Florida soft-shell turtles, can attack an unwary fisherman.

6. Nile monitor

The Nile monitor shares the Nile and other African rivers with crocodiles and reaches 3 meters in length. This fearsome lizard often preys on young crocodiles, in addition to its diet of mammals and birds, and has extremely powerful poisonous bite. When threatened by humans or other potential enemies, Nile monitors can seize in a vice-like grip with a crushing grip and then reluctantly release their prey. Giant reptiles are sold as pets, but owners should be careful due to reports of serious injuries and the fact that these lizards can "break a cat's neck in an instant and then swallow it whole." Children should stay out of the reach of these lizards, as the possibility of an attack is not excluded with these predators.

7. Venomtooth

The ivorytooth is the largest lizard in North America, reaching more than 0.6 meters in length and is the only poisonous lizard. Venomtooths are endangered and protected by law, but people who interfere with them can also face death. If disturbed, the Venomtooth can grab the legs or arms of an enemy, where it sinks its teeth, quickly releasing a dose of extremely potent neurotoxic venom. Several deaths occurred before awareness of the dangers and development of a known treatment. Having no fangs, the venomtooth uses great force to slowly chew through a human hand, leaving behind venom-laced flesh. Submerging a monster in water can cause it to release its prey.

8. Malayan water monitor

The Malayan water monitor is the second heaviest lizard in the world and lurks in deep rivers and swamps of Southeast Asia. The lizard has curved teeth and is known to feed on... corpses. If a living human falls into water where several monitor lizards are feeding, it is very likely that the reptile's hunting instinct will be activated by the human's vulnerability, provoking an attack. Aquatic monitor lizards are able to feed on a wide variety of animals, having little trouble only with large prey. They reach a weight of about 70 kg, and their length can be up to 3 meters.

9. Vulture turtle

The snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world, and today it is the most dangerous. The strange-looking reptile, weighing over 90kg, has a spine-covered, dinosaur-like shell and a massive beak that can quickly bite off any part of the body and is capable of tearing apart a broom handle at lightning speed. A swimmer who accidentally steps nearby can easily lose part of his leg. Although no deaths have been confirmed, drownings may have gone unnoticed. The hypothetical report of 180 kg turtles is supported by the continued growth of individuals of this species throughout their lifespan, which can reach 200 years.

10. Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragon is found in the woodlands, beaches and plateaus of Indonesia, posing a threat to almost every living creature as a prehistoric predator. Weighing 136kg and measuring 3m long, the beasts are the largest lizards on Earth, forming a microcosm of the prehistoric reptiles of the world where they rule. Komodos feed on prey as large as buffalo and will also attack and eat humans. Komodos knock down such large prey and then savagely attack and tear off large chunks of flesh. Toxic saliva and bacteria weaken the animal, which does not die immediately. Scientists have suggested Komodo evolved to feed on the island's now-extinct pygmy elephants.

The statement that turtles are dangerous to humans may seem nonsense to many - they are one of the most common pets in the world. Reptiles are popular among children and adults; they are calm and quiet. It would seem that such a pet is not capable of harming a person. But is this really so?

Turtles, like other representatives of the fauna, get sick. This occurs due to improper maintenance, nutrition or infections. For the first time, information that diseases of red-eared turtles are dangerous for humans appeared back in the 70s of the last century. Then American scientists came to the conclusion that reptiles pose a high risk of spreading salmonellosis to humans.

In 1975, the US government decided to conduct an experiment: they banned the sale of turtles smaller than 4 inches (10.2 centimeters). As a result, it was announced that about 100,000 cases of salmonella infection in children were prevented annually. It is children who often catch this disease from pets, since they come into contact with them more often than adults.

Even Pond slider is dangerous for a child, this does not stop thousands of owners of these sweetest animals from getting rid of them. The fact is that the probability of contracting salmonellosis while keeping a pet at home is 2%.

And if you follow a number of rules for caring for your animal, you can reduce the risk of infection to a minimum.

Let's look at them in more detail:

• Always remember that reptiles are dirty. Therefore, it is recommended to constantly treat all surfaces with which your pet has come in contact with disinfectants.
• It is important to regularly wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning the aquaterrarium and its equipment. The same applies to direct contact with the turtle itself. It is for this reason that turtles are especially dangerous for children - children do not always rush to wash their hands after playing with the animal.
• Keep your pet away from food and food preparation areas. Never allow your turtle to move around the kitchen or other areas where you cook. The kitchen sink should also not be used to bathe reptiles or clean aquarium equipment. If you use the bathroom for these purposes, thoroughly disinfect it with bleach upon completion.
• Another rule is to limit the animal’s contact with persons at highest risk of infection. These include pregnant women, children under 5 years of age, and elderly people. In addition, this group includes persons with reduced resistance to the development of diseases due to pregnancy, cancer, chemotherapy, organ transplantation, diabetes mellitus or problems with the liver and kidneys.
• If you are unable to give up your tortoise when you have a baby at home, remember: you should not keep your pet in areas where newborn items, such as diapers or formula, are stored. When you come into contact with a child, be sure to wash your hands (even if you have not touched the animal before).

The clinical picture of salmonellosis in reptiles is as follows: the animal has loose stool, the turtle has no appetite and regurgitates its food. In such cases, it is necessary to immediately contact a veterinarian for full treatment, since it is quite difficult to do this at home.

But if this is not possible, you can try to treat yourself: but it should be noted that there is no guarantee that the therapy will be successful. To do this, you will need to purchase chloramphenicol (an antibiotic). Dosage form – suspension. It must be administered 2-3 times, 50-75 milligrams per kilogram of animal weight. Frequency – every 48 hours.

It is also important to note that salmonellosis is not the only disease that can harm humans. You can also become infected with fungal diseases or worms from turtles. But the likelihood of contracting such a disease is quite low if you adhere to the above rules.

Reptile Attack: Nothing strikes terror into the human mind faster than an encounter between a prehistoric crocodile or poisonous snake And modern man. However, we will not talk about these known dangers. In this shocking list, we take a look at the frightening monstrous lizards and terrifying turtles living on Earth these days. Some of them are capable of killing, while others are capable of dismembering or simply gnawing off your hand. Just the sight of a hard shell or a thin tail can already signal danger beyond your wildest expectations...

10. Common iguana (Green Iguana)

The iguana has become quite a popular pet in recent years, and iguana advocates would say that keeping this giant, prehistoric reptile is no different than owning a dog. Despite being herbivores, iguanas can be unpredictable and have razor-sharp teeth. In some cases, serious injuries have been caused when tame but powerful iguanas became nervous about something and lunged at their owners' faces or cut their hands with their teeth and claws. An iguana can weigh up to 8 kilograms and reach more than 180 centimeters in length, making an attack by this giant lizard quite a serious matter. For your visit to the Park Jurassic a visit to the ER may well follow.

9. Leatherback Sea Turtle

The leatherback turtle is the largest of all turtles, sometimes reaching over 2.5 meters in length. These 2,000-pound omnivores are arguably the widest-growing vertebrates on Earth, but their populations are declining every year due to industrial development, pollution and being caught as bycatch. These turtles are usually quite gentle giants, however if disturbed they can bite and their bite can break bones as they are very strong and powerful. In one strange case, a huge leatherback turtle, likely weighing more than 680 kilograms, directed its aggression towards a small boat and rammed it. Shortly before, the turtle was being chased by a shark, so it considered the boat a potential threat.

8. Fringed turtle or mata mata (Mata Mata Turtle)

Amazon South America famous for its incredible and sometimes creepy creatures. In the same river as piranhas and river dolphins lives a bizarre fringed turtle. What will happen if a person steps on a fringed turtle is unknown, but this strange river reptile has an elongated, snake-like neck and a strange mouth containing two sharp plates that resemble human teeth fused together. This uniquely creepy carnivore's lunch menu includes waterbirds, fish and other reptiles. We can only imagine what will happen to a person who reaches out from the boat to touch the strange lump visible from the water...

7. Big-headed Turtle

The big-headed turtle is a bizarre-looking creature with a long, snake-like tail that is almost equal to length her body. This turtle is endemic to Southeast Asia, where it hunts a variety of prey in rivers. The large head does not retract into the shell, and is equipped with very powerful jaws. If a turtle feels threatened, it will not hesitate to use its beak, which can crush bones, so it is better to keep your distance from them. Incredibly, this creature, living in Asia, is able to climb trees, where it can sit like a bird. Unfortunately, this amazing creature is endangered due to poaching, which must be constantly combated.

6. Soft-shelled Turtles

Looking like flattened human-reptile hybrids from alien horror films, soft-bodied turtles compensate for their lack of shell with a very strong bite. Among the many species of softshell turtles from around the world, the most feared is Cantor's Giant Softshell turtle, endemic to China. She hides in the sand, waiting for prey, and then jumps out and bites the prey with sharp teeth. The turtle's sheer size and the force of its bite can cause horrific injuries. However, this species is unfortunately currently endangered. However, more common species of softshell turtles, such as the Florida Soft Shell, can be found throughout the world and are quite capable of biting an unwary fisherman.

5. Nile monitor (Nile Monitor)

The Nile monitor lives in the Nile and others African rivers along with crocodiles and can grow up to 2.7 meters in length. This terrifying lizard often feeds on young crocodiles, in addition to its diet of mammals and birds, and has an incredibly strong bite that almost always causes infection. When the Nile monitor feels threatened by humans or other potential intruders, it latches onto the enemy's body with its bone-crushing bite, and it is not at all easy to release its jaws. The giant reptiles are sold locally as pets, but owners should be careful with them as there have been many reports of serious injuries caused by them. It's also worth considering the fact that these lizards can "bite through a cat's neck in an instant and then swallow it whole." Children should stay out of the reach of these lizards as they can be easily attacked by these predators.

4. Arizona Gila Monster

The Arizona girdler is largest lizard North America, and measuring over 60 centimeters in length, it is also the only venomous lizard in the region. Arizona hornbills are endangered and protected by law, but people who encroach on their territory may find themselves on the brink of death. If disturbed, the venom can bite into the legs or arms of its attacker and sink its teeth into it, quickly releasing a dose of extremely potent, neurotoxic venom. Before people became aware of the poisonous nature of this reptile and before an antidote was developed, more than one person died. Having no fangs, the Arizona serpentine claws with great force into a person's hand, slowly biting its flesh and leaving ripped, venom-soaked wounds after the bite. The only way to stop the Arizona snaketooth is by immersing it in water.

3. Striped Monitor (Malayan Water Monitor)

The striped monitor lizard is the second heaviest lizard in the world and lives in the deep rivers and swamps of Southeast Asia. This lizard's teeth are curved backwards, and they are known to sometimes feed on... corpses. If a living human falls into water where several striped monitor lizards are feeding, it is very possible that the reptile's hunting instinct will be activated by the human's vulnerability, provoking an attack. Striped monitor lizards are capable of eating a wide variety of animals, and have no problem hunting large prey, in some cases weighing more than 70 kg. Their body length can reach 3 meters...

2. Alligator Snapping Turtle

The snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world, and by far the most dangerous. Weighing more than 90 kilograms, the strange-looking reptile has a dinosaur-like cone-covered shell and a massive beak that can be used to completely amputate any body part that comes within its immediate vicinity. A snapping turtle can bite through a broom handle in the blink of an eye. A swimmer who accidentally steps near this turtle can easily lose part of his leg. Although deaths associated with snapping turtles have not been confirmed, drownings may have occurred undetected. The hypothetical report of a 181-kilogram turtle is supported by the continued growth of members of this species throughout their lifespan, which can be 200 years.

1. Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragon lives in Indonesian woodlands, beaches and plateaus, posing a threat to almost all life as a prehistoric apex predator. The lizards, which measure 3 meters in length and weigh more than 136 kilograms, are the largest on Earth, forming a microcosm of a prehistoric world ruled by reptiles. Komodo dragons feed on large prey such as water buffalo. There were cases when they attacked, dismembered and absorbed people. When attacking such large prey, Komodo dragons will knock it down and then brutally attack, tearing large chunks of flesh from it. Toxic saliva and bacteria weaken the animal, which does not die immediately. Scientists have suggested that Komodo dragons evolved to feed on the now extinct pygmy elephants that previously lived in the area.

We all know that some snakes and insects can be poisonous, but have you ever heard of a poisonous bird or turtle? Surprisingly, the range of venomous creatures is very wide, from small insects to mammals that can be equally poisonous. The selection includes 7 amazing poisonous animals, which we will tell you about in detail.

Let's start with the ordinary Platypus, you probably know what it looks like and have heard about it. The platypus looks ridiculous and stupid, and it is impossible to even imagine that it is dangerous - an ordinary domestic cat looks more menacing. Believe it or not, the platypus has a spur on its back leg that shoots out venom. A dose of poison can kill a small dog and cause severe pain in humans. Several cases of serious consequences of a meeting between a person and a platypus have been recorded - the poison causes severe swelling, spreading throughout the body, accompanied by terrible pain. Unlike poisonous insects or reptiles, the platypus toxin is actually used to assert dominance during the mating season rather than for the purpose of catching prey or defense. We have already written in previous topics about this unusual animal (see the Platypus topic)

A small bird, the blackbird flycatcher, or Pitohu, can also be poisonous. It is the first recorded venomous bird. Pitohu lives in New Guinea, and gets its poison by eating the same food as some poisonous frogs and beetles. A neurotoxin found in the skin of birds causes intense loss of sensation or tingling pain in those who touch the bird.

An amazing animal that I personally heard about for the first time - Fat Laurie. It is also called slow loris- This may be one of the most delightful animals in the world, but at the same time it is quite poisonous and can cause a lot of problems. While the toxin they use is primarily used to protect themselves and their young, there have been a few fatal cases in humans. However, they all occurred due to anaphylactic shock, and not due to the poison itself. Lori's toxin is weak and can cause minor swelling and allergies in humans.

Next on the list of unusual poisonous animals is the box turtle. Box turtles- Quite shy animals, they live most often in the United States, where they are also popular pets. Box turtles are called box turtles because they can virtually hide completely within their shells. If you eat such a turtle, you can get very poisoned due to poisonous mushroom in their diet.

Shrew - insectivorous mammal, similar to a mouse. Several varieties of shrews produce venom that can stop fairly large prey. There have been several case studies conducted where people reported extreme pain along with redness and swelling that lasted for many days. Shrews even bit horses, after which the horses were covered with terrible blisters. People lost the ability to move for several hours after the bite, which was accompanied by severe shooting pain. So this small, and at first glance harmless animal, made it onto our list for a reason.” Poisonous animals”

Another mammal that you are probably hearing about for the first time. This is a gaptooth - only mammal, which can inject venom through specially designed teeth, similar to the fangs of a snake. The lizardtooth tops the list of endangered species, so it's not people who should be afraid of it, but it is people

In last place is the fish - catfish. According to research by students at the University of Michigan, 1,250 species of this fish can be poisonous. They need poison to protect themselves from natural enemies, but many fishermen have complained of a painful burning sensation after contact with catfish. Its toxin poisons the nerves, killing red blood cells, causing severe pain, seizures and breathing problems. But the consequence of this is not the bite itself, but the subsequent infection after the bite