We’ve shown you the cutest and most exotic animal babies from all over the world. But while we’re on the subject of babies, we should also bring up this dreadful list: The Creepiest Animals From Around the World.
If your idea of a cuddle buddy is something that crawls and emits an unearthly howl, this list will probably have what you’re looking for.
We’ve scoured the internet and found some of the most terrifying animals from every corner of the globe. But can you handle them? Read on at your own risk.
The Blue-Ringed Octopus
This cuddly little guy hides a terribly deadly secret. One touch from its tentacle, which is covered in thousands of tiny suckers, and you’re paralyzed.
The venom it shoots into you inhibits your control of voluntary muscles – including those that keep your lungs working. Its victim dies of suffocation while fully conscious. Creepy.
The Gippsland animal-eater
If you’re a frog, this 16-inch predator is probably the last thing you want to see on a dark night.
Australia’s Gippsland animal-eater is the biggest frog on earth. Its sticky tongue can extend two times its own body length, allowing it to snatch laughing kookaburras out of midair.
The Gippsland animal-eater is so powerful, it can even take on animals bigger than itself. One observation saw a frog eating an Eastern brown snake that was longer than the frog himself.
The Komodo Dragon
This dragon doesn’t mess around. It eats rotting flesh, so its breath stinks to high heaven. And its drool has an incredibly noxious bacteria that’s deadly to even the largest animals on the planet.
You’d think that would be enough for this ten-foot-long carrion eater. But it doesn’t stop there: These dragons can move with incredible speed and have been known to chase their prey several hundred feet before catching them and dragging them back to their lair.
The Pacu Fish
If you like the idea of chomping down on a nut, but you also like NOT having your nuts bitten off, this fish is for you. It’s called the Pacu because it looks and acts like a piranha – that is, until it gets close enough to you.
Then, the animal’s true identity is revealed: It has human-like teeth.
Humans have been bitten by these fish – and they live to tell the tale. In fact, there are whole villages that consider the Pacu a delicacy. So start calling it “Poo-Shu” now so you can order it at Red Lobster without any trouble.
The Slow Loris
This sweet, snuggly primate actually has venomous saliva. If you love being bitten by animals that can take out a whole village with one bite, this is the cutie for you.
Just kidding – their venom isn’t THAT deadly. But it is nasty. They coat their arms in it and then lick you, which not only leaves a wet, sticky mess on your skin but also makes you delirious and open to suggestion.
Slow lorises have turned this adaptation into a valuable tool in the animal kingdom: With one lick, they can convince even the most vicious predators that they’re completely harmless.
So what do you think? Do you want to adopt a Slow Loris as a pet? You might be surprised at how pleasant these creatures are. Just make sure to use protection when going out in public.