Animals. You know I love them.
So many of us do. I tend to love most all of them. From the tiny mouse to the big elephant. And everything in between.
We share this planet. We have our ways. (Which are often deadly to them.) And they have their ways. (Which are seldom deadly to us.). But. Every so often. They are. Deadly.
Now, here in Ohio, we don’t have to worry about this too much. There is an occasional mishap where an animal kills a human. This mostly comes from Pit Bull attacks.
But other places on the planet have the deadliest of the deadliest. So. If you are planning your next vacation, I would say to steer clear of the Amazon region.
The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest on the planet. Scientists claim it’s home to at least 10% of Earth’s species.
That doesn’t come as a surprise because it spans millions of square miles, passing through 8 countries.
While most of the live matter in the region is harmless, there are a few deadly creatures that lurk within the Amazon River and forest. Some of these animals have been portrayed in the movies. We’ve all seen them. But if you haven’t watched any of those big screen terrors, worry not.
I’m bringing you 14 terrifying animals that can be found in the Amazon.
1. Green Anaconda
The animal that people fear the most when visiting the Amazon is the Green Anaconda.
A typical green anaconda can weigh up to 500 pounds and grow to 29 feet. They use their huge bodies to attack and dismember their prey. They feed on anything they come across, including humans.
2. Piranha
Piranhas have also been popularized by movies, and they are as deadly as advertised. They are among the few fish species that feed on flesh. They have razor-sharp teeth that can dig through skin and even plants.
A single piranha, though lethal, can’t put down a large animal such as a wild pig. However, when such an animal gets into a piranha-filled water, they attack it as a group.
3. Pacus
The Pacus is a cousin of the Piranha. However, it is bigger and has teeth resembling those of a human being. Pacus fish are omnivores and can deliver a powerful bite to animals and human beings crossing its path.
4. Electric Eel
The electric eel can generate up to 600 volts of electricity, which is enough to kill a human being or any other animal that it makes contact with. Fortunately, electric eels rarely produce such levels of electricity. They only generate a few volts to scare away prey. This is more of a defense mechanism than a means of hunting.
5. Bull Shark
The Bull Shark falls under the world’s top three most dangerous shark species, alongside tiger sharks and great whites. Bull sharks can reach a weight of 600 pounds and can grow to 11 feet. Although they are rarely spotted along the Amazon River, they are there.
Bull sharks can live in both fresh and salty water.
6. Poison Dart Frogs
Poisoned dart frogs are why humans should avoid brightly colored animals. This frog species looks quite attractive and comes in many colors. The poison from this frog can kill ten humans as it induces heart failure in just a few minutes.
7. Brazilian Wandering Spider
This spider species is not only unique for its neurotoxic venom that paralyzes its prey, but it does not build webs. The Brazilian Wandering Spider crawls on the forest floor at night, searching for food. A bite from this spider increases blood pressure and heart rate rapidly. If not treated, a single bite from this spider can lead to death.
8. Black Caiman Alligator
9. Amazonian Bushmaster (Reptile)
10. Bullet Ant
11. Giant Otters
12. Tyrant King Leeches
13. Candiru (Parasitic Fish)
14. Common Lancehead (Snake)
I left the details out for the last seven because you all were getting the drift. They bite you? They kill you.
Here is the thing. The world can be a dangerous place out there. But it can also be wonderful and good. Be aware of the dangers, and try to steer clear.
Actually, try to steer yourself right toward all the goodness. And rejoice in it.
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“Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.”
— Michel de Montaigne
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“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.”
— Henry Ward Beecher
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“Celebrate what you want to see more of.”
— Tom Peters
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“We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness, to realize the beauty of our being, and to rejoice in life together.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
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Danger. Danger. Or. Good. Good.
