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Sharks are Not the Deadliest Marine Animal

Sharks are Not the Deadliest Marine Animal

The ocean is a realm of beauty and peril, home to creatures that pose significant risks to humans. While sharks often get the spotlight, many other species are equally or more dangerous. Because humans have had more interactions with sharks, these seemingly harmless creatures usually go unnoticed. Yet they could be deadly and possibly fatal for divers, swimmers, and snorkelers. Here are 15 marine animals deadlier than sharks.

1. Lionfish

Red Lionfish
Red lionfish (Pterois volitans). Image by Wrangel via Depositphotos

Lionfish are not known to cause fatalities, but their venomous spines can inflict severe pain. This pain can become dangerous if it occurs while swimming, potentially hindering the victim and making it difficult to reach the surface. If you encounter a lionfish in the water, it’s crucial to avoid contact and stay clear to ensure your safety.

2. Flower Urchins

A flower urchin
A flower urchin. Image by Johan J.Ingles-Le Nobel via Flickr

This sea urchin is found in the Red Sea and Pacific. Despite their beauty, flower urchins are the most dangerous sea urchins, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. They release venom upon contact, which can cause severe pain and even paralysis. Although only one death has been recorded, paralysis in water can be fatal. Snorkelers often mistake them for corals, so it’s crucial to avoid touching reefs.

3. Moray Eels

A Moray Eel
A white spotted Moray Eel. Image by Kurganov via Depositphotos

While moray eels haven’t caused any recorded deaths, they can be aggressive if threatened and may attack humans. Their toxic skin can also cause serious illness if not cooked properly, so only eat moray eel if you trust the chef. Moray eels do not generate electric volts like electric eels. Instead, they possess electroreceptors that allow them to detect the electric fields produced by other organisms.

4. Stonefish

Camouflaged stonefish
Camouflaged stonefish. Image by Andaman via Depositphotos

Stonefish are found in the coastal waters of Australia and the Caribbean. Like flower urchins, stonefish release venom when stepped on or touched. Camouflaged as rocks, they often catch swimmers off guard, leading to severe pain, potential paralysis, and even heart failure. Stonefish are considered the most dangerous fish in the world due to their venom’s ability to kill within an hour. In Australia alone, around 1,000 people are stung by stonefish each year, highlighting the significant risk they pose to swimmers.

5. Leopard Seal

Leopard Seal.
A Leopard Seal. Image by Tarpan via Depositphotos

Antarctica’s leopard seals are aggressive predators, with recorded attacks on humans. Although only one fatality has been recorded, there have been several attacks by leopard seals, mainly targeting scientists. These aggressive predators can bite or drag individuals into the water. The low number of incidents is likely due to the limited human presence in Antarctica, restricting interactions.

6. Blue-Ringed Octopus

Blue ringed octopus
Blue ringed octopus resting in sand. Image by Saschj via Depositphotos

Despite their small size and attractive appearance, the blue-ringed octopus possesses venom 1,200 times more potent than cyanide, capable of killing 20 humans. Fortunately, it is non-aggressive and only poses a threat if provoked. The Blue-ringed Octopus is mainly found in the waters of Australia and Japan.

7. Portuguese Man-of-War

Portuguese Man or War
Portuguese Man or War. Image by Corey Ford via Depositphotos

Nicknamed the “floating terror,” the Portuguese man-of-war uses its tentacles to sting both prey and predators. Its sting is potent enough to cause anaphylactic shock and, in some cases, death. Even onshore, the tentacles can still deliver a shock after the creature has died. Beachgoers should be cautious, as it can be mistaken for plastic waste. The Portuguese man of war is found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

8. Needlefish

Needlefish
Needlefish. Image by Johnnysek via Depositphotos

Needlefish are a common North Atlantic species, although some have been observed in the Mediterranean. Needlefish are known for their dangerous freak accidents because they often leap out of the water to avoid obstacles, sometimes piercing people with their sharp, pointy heads. These injuries can be fatal, especially if they hit vital organs. To date, there have been 13 fatalities reported where people have succumbed to bleeding or pierced in their vital organs by needle fish.

9. Blue Spotted Stingray

Blue spotted stingray
Blue spotted stingray. Image by Ilsedut via Depositphotos

The blue-spotted stingray is primarily found in the warm, shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean, coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea. The deadliest of stingray species, the blue-spotted stingray, with its distinctive blue spots, is a visually striking but dangerous marine animal. It has venomous barbs on its tail that can cause severe pain, tissue damage, and, in rare cases, death. The stingray’s venom contains toxins that can lead to intense pain and potential complications if untreated. While fatalities are uncommon, the stingray’s ability to deliver a potent sting makes it a formidable creature in the ocean.

10.  The Dubois Sea Snake

A sea Snake
A sea snake. Image by Rich Carey via Depositphotos

There are around 3,700 species of sea snakes, and 15% of them are highly venomous, with the Dubois Sea snake being the big daddy of them all. Sea snakes are found in the Coral Sea, Arafura Sea, Timor Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Part of the cobra family, they are dangerous marine animals due to their potent venom, which can kill eight people with just three drops. A bite by the Dubois Sea snake can cause headaches, sweating, vomiting, body aches, muscle stiffness, and eventually paralysis.

11. Cone Snails

Cone snail
A cone snail. Image by Panthermedia via Depositphotos

Cone snails are one of the deadliest creatures on earth, especially if it involves the textile, geographic, and tulip snails whose venom could cause death. Many seafarers refer to the cone snail as the cigarette snail, a term arising from the belief that a victim has only enough time to smoke a cigarette before dying. Larger species of cone snails have harpoons that can penetrate gloves and wetsuits, delivering a deadly venom. Cone snails are found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, the Indian Ocean from eastern Africa to Hawaii, Australia, and French Polynesia.

12. Crown of thorns starfish

Crown of thorns starfish
Crown of thorns starfish. Image by Ead72 via Depositphotos

The crown-of-thorns starfish, named for its venomous thorn-like spines, is one of the most giant and poisonous starfish in the world. Its spines deliver a neurotoxin that causes severe wounds, intense pain, nausea, and vomiting, with symptoms lasting from 30 minutes to 3 hours. The immediate effects include substantial bleeding and swelling at the puncture site.

13. Fire Coral

Fire coral
Coral reef with fire coral. Image via My Chadre77 via Depositphotos

Fire coral is one of the world’s rarest coral species. It was first discovered in only a few of areas in the Pacific Ocean, Panama, and Indonesia. It is not a natural coral, despite its calcareous structure, and is more related to the Portuguese man-of-war and other hydrozoans. Fire coral derives its name from the burning feeling induced by contact with a specimen of the species. While most corals, including the Fire Coral, are fragile and should not be touched, this species can deliver quite a nasty sting. Ask divers who are forever stepping on them; a sting can cause a burning pain like being burned by fire.

14. Saltwater Crocodile

Saltwater crocodile
Saltwater crocodile emerging from water. Image by Meisterphotos via Depositphotos

The saltwater crocodile is one of the deadliest predators in the world, known for its powerful bite and aggressive nature. Locally called the “Saltie” in Australia, saltwater crocodiles have the most significant bite force (3,700 to 5,000 PSI) in the world.  Found primarily in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, salties can grow over 20 feet long and weigh more than a ton. They are capable of ambushing and overpowering large prey, including humans. Their strength, speed, and stealth make them formidable hunters, and they are responsible for an estimated 1000 deaths in a year.

15. Australian Box Jellyfish

Box jellyfish
Box jellyfish. Image by Danceclav via Depositphotos

The Australian box jellyfish is considered the most venomous marine animal. Although it doesn’t look dangerous, a sting from a box jellyfish is enough to send you to Davy Jones’s locker. Box jellyfish tentacles contain toxins that can cause heart failure, paralysis, and death within minutes. Stings are excruciating and can leave severe scars. Due to its transparent body, the box jellyfish is often tricky to spot, making it a significant hazard for swimmers and divers in affected regions. Prompt medical attention is crucial in case of a sting to prevent fatal outcomes.

Now you know about these marine animals deadlier than sharks, perhaps you will be more careful not to go anywhere near them. What do you think? Tell us in the comments below and don’t forget to follow Animals around the Globe.

Tim

Wednesday 16th of October 2024

Almost all of these are actually less dangerous than sharks in terms of number of people killed annually.

Noneofyourbuisness

Monday 5th of August 2024

This is an excellent article! Please keep sharing more like this 👍🏻