With a name like that, you know there’s a reason to worry. These bugs’ bite spreads the deadly Chagas disease, which can cause severe damage to your body. In 2015, it was estimated that 6.6 million, mainly in Mexico, Central America, and South America had the disease and that 8,000 people died from it.
Most people who are infected are not aware of the disease’s presence. At the onset of the disease, symptoms may be mild, including fever, swollen lymph nodes, or swelling at the location of the bite. In rare cases, the disease can lead to heart failure, an enlarged esophagus and colon. If that’s not freaky enough, they are also called the kissing bug, as they bite you near your lips.
Centipede
Fortunately, they aren’t deadly to humans, but you do need to watch out for your children. Their venomous glands can be harmful to the young ones. While their bite is rarely fatal, it can cause severe swelling, chills, fever, and weakness. This species is common in the U.S.
Despite their name, they have between 30 to 354 legs, always displaying an odd number of pairs of legs. They are found everywhere from the Arctic Circle to tropical rainforests and deserts. They are also found in soil, leaf litter, logs, and under stones and dead wood. They look for a moist habitat due to their lack of a waxy cuticle that other insects have, which causes them to rapidly lose water.
Fire Ant
Killing around 50 people a year, this is the most aggressive species of ants. Their bite can send you into anaphylactic shock and in some cases, death. They are found in more rural or remote areas.
This invasive species costs the US $5 billion every year on medical treatment, damage, and control in infested areas. They also cause $750 million in damage every year to the agriculture and farming industries. More than 40 million people live in infested areas in the southeastern US.
Hippopotamus
One of the most dangerous animals in Africa, this animal has a history of attacking humans. As a herbivore, this animal doesn’t want to eat you, but it is very aggressive and unpredictable and may attack you even without being provoked. Males weigh around 3,310 Ibs and females 2,870 Ibs. They are semi-aquatic mammals, spending much of their time in rivers, lakes, and mangrove swamps.
Despite their large and heavy form and short legs, they are able to run 19mph. During the day, they cool off by staying in the water or mud. At dusk, they leave the water to eat grass in solitary.
Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake
As its name suggests, this snake is easily recognizable thanks to its warning sign coloring. With a black back and a bright yellow belly, this creature practically screams "Get away from me". These snakes are found in tropical waters in oceans around the world, except for the Atlantic.
They are one of the most widely distributed snakes. While antivenom is available in Australia, you don't want to provoke one of these into testing the cure's efficiency.