The World's Most: World's Most Deadly Animals

The World's Most: World's Most Deadly Animals — page 3
ASIA TIGER SHARK More than 450 species of shark have been identified but only six have been known to attack humans Of these tiger sharks are one of the biggest repeat offenders As of 2020 at least 34 people had been killed by tiger sharks worldwide in the past few hundred years Another 97 people have survived attacks Tiger sharks are found in tropical coastal waters throughout Asia Tiger shark jaws are so powerful and their serrated teeth so sharp that they can crack through the hard shells of marine turtles FACT BOX LINING UP When tiger sharks are young they have vertical stripes on their body which is where their common name comes from These stripes mostly disappear as they mature LETHAL WEAPON BITE SLOTH BEARS Sloth bears might be mainly insect eaters but they react to predators with extreme aggression They will attack anyone in their territory particularly if they think their cubs are threatened Sloth bears have long claws to help them break into termite mounds They use these when they attack humans typically striking at the face and head Sloth bears live mostly alone in the forests of India Sri Lanka Bangladesh and Bhutan FACT BOX SWEET SNACKS In addition to insects sloth bears eat fruits and flowers and occasionally break into beehives for the honey LETHAL WEAPON 6 CLAWS LETHAL WEAPON VENOM FAT-TAILED SCORPIONS The venom of fat tailed scorpions is lethal These creatures are only about 4 inches 10 cm long but the venom in their tail is such a powerful nerve poison it can kill a person in less than an hour Each year a few people are killed by fat-tailed scorpions usually when they meet them in their natural habitat the hot dry regions of India northern Africa and the Middle East KEEP SAFE An antivenom is available If you’re ever stung quickly get to a hospital for a life-saving shot of medicine