In light of me travelling down under To Australia in February, I have decided to  do some research  on various characteristics of Australian life or culture to which I will share through this blog.

Tonight’s subject will be animals of Australia, specifically the five  potentially most  venomous and dangerous

This interest was sparked from recent conversations i had with family and friends about my travels soon-to-be. Of course, because they were perhaps jealous and trying to scare me to shame, the point was brought up that  Australia houses among the most poisonous or dangerous fauna in the world. Although I have already devised a secret plot to smuggle kangaroos back into Canada, through oversized luggage and some convenient currency, I became interested in which small critters I would have to potentially combat for survival, here are five of them:

Box JellyFish(or th SeaWasp):

Box Jelly Fish

Many tourists revel at the chance to be able to surf  the beaches of Australia,  particularly near Australia. However as you coast the great big waves, below you in the water are jamming Box jelly fishes coolly floating, ready to latch their stingers onto you. Box Jelly fish are the most developed of the Jellyfish kind(Cuboza) by having not only the most advanced brains of any jellyfish, but also having eyes that allow it to actively hunt its prey(usually plankton or other forms of algae). However, unlike Dory in Finding Nemo, human contact with the  box jellyfish stinger could be less than fun when the jelly fish  attaches its tentacle  to the skin and releases a venom containing nematocysts which can be not only painful, but fatal to the prey(as soon as five minutes after the sting). Experts say that vinegar applied to the wounded spot before and after extraction of the tentacle should be applied to eliminate the nematocysts. I’d like to see David Hasselhoff or the other lifeguards from Baywatch deal with this one.

Funnel Web Spider:

One of the luxuries that I enjoy of living in Canada is the fact that I do not have to fear a large number of assaults from venomous insects, particularly spiders. Of course, there are those that can cause damage and leave marks if untreated such as the Brown Recluse, but apart from the Black Widow, spiders do not seem to be a large concern. Well, this is different in Australia where many insects can be found to be venomous including the Funnel Web Spider. The Funnel Web Spider(according to the video below) is considered among the largest and most dangerous in the world and can kill people within up to twenty minutes and children faster. They usually occupy dark places, and usually live in heavily wooded areas. Fortunately, there are very effective anti-venoms to help those stung. I guess I will have to listen to the advice to check my shoes everyday(though I think the smell from my shoes would deter most spiders — regardless of their venom — away)

The Great White Shark:

It’s too obvious to start with a joke or reference to Jaws so I won’t. Fortunately for me and where I am going, Southern Australia(Melbourne) is also the area most dense in Great White Sharks.  If this image doesn’t excite you…

According to National Geographic, Average Great White Sharks can grow up to 15 or more feet. Their powerful tails can propel them to move at 24 kilometers(or 15 miles) per hour. They have 300 evenly triangular teeth and a great sense of smell(so much so that they can smell the electro-magnetic field around fishes). However, more research and knowledge on these great beasts have revealed that they do not actually actively prey on humans, but instead do a “sample biting” to see how the human tastes(they would love Costco). Apparently, they actually do not like the taste of human that much. Instead they hunt small fish sea lions, small-toothed whales and sea turtles among other aquatic animals But still, I wouldn’t go into a wrestling match with this fish. Unfortunately, their numbers dwindle as they are hunted more and more.

Cassowary:

Found in the Northern Part of Australia and descendants of the Emu in New Guinea, these birds are not so much venomous or dangerous unless you really tick them off.  According to Oddity Central and various other sites, the Guinness Book of World Records(I could not find it officially on their website) lists the Cassowary as the most dangerous bird in the world. So essentially: apart from having concerns about dangerous animals from the ground and water, I must now fend myself from aerial attacks(Great!). Okay this is a bit over-exaggerated since the Cassowary can’t fly and so relies on chasing, pecking or clawing, and doing flying karate chop-kicks  to its preys at 30 miles per hour(usually in the chest or groinal regions). The birds wont actively attack a human or other animal, but only when they feel threatened. Cassowaries are omnivores and feed on both plants and fungi as well as small animals such as those of the vertebrates or insects. However, the birds are so potentially dangerous that zoo keepers struggle to hold them in zoos because they are constantly attacking and injuring Zoo-Keepers. Unfortunately like the Great White Shark, the Cassowary are a increasingly endangered species due to humans killing them through cars or out of fear.

Heres a video:

AND FINALLY! The Tiger Snake:

Tiger Snake

Although there are many dangerous snakes around Australia, The Tiger Snake is apparently among the world. First, I will begin by saying that snakes terrify me(as I am sure they do all people around the world) greatly, so much so, that looking at photos and writing this section gives me that weird sharp-nautious feeling.Its not so much the venomous aspect that scares me(although it does) but rather the slithering and sneaky characteristics of snakes. They can essentially weave anywhere they want to in open and hidden or private space(I will never be able to look at a toilet the same way again after hearing stories), appear unexpectedly, and blend in with their environment pretty well. I understand that like most other animals, they do not attack unless provoked but still…ugghhh!! According to the Australian Museum:  The Tiger Snake–identifiable by stripes along its body– live in Eastern and Southern Australia(Fantastic!) and have appeared in Suburban areas. They can grow up to 1.5 meters long and usually feed on small animals such as frogs or birds They can be aggressive if threatened and the neurotoxic venom emitted from the snake can be fatal (killing up to 45%percent of victims if left untreated) but luckily, there are anti-venom treatments if needed. They unfortunately(even though I don’t like snakes) are another endangered species( trend emerging?) but are protected by laws that can fine hunters up to $4000.

Yikes! five potentially very dangerous animals to watch for while I am in Australia. You know, it seems that the Australians seem to bribe potential tourists with the possibility of sunny warm weather and water, all while playing the potentially dangerous animals it posses, kind of like: “We have beaches, hot weather and good-looking women so come…annnnddd, oh yeah, we might  also have some of the most venomous/dangerous animals on the planet but that[wave hand] does not matter but who cares when you have this super cuddly Koala Bear.”

(Koala Bears, although cute, have been said to be vicious towards not only each other but humans as well if they are stressed to much)

Also honourable mention to the Saltwater Crocodile found in Northern Australia. Apparently, not only can it blend in with the muddy ground, but it has a move called the “death roll”(enough said).

SaltWater Crocodile

Which animal would you not want to encounter?and how did you find the story? let me know through with a comment or through twitter at @markgorokhovski.

Good Night,