1. Mosquito | Vector for malaria, dengue, Zika—kills ~780,000 people/year |
2. Humans | Responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths via violence and conflict annually |
3. Saltwater Crocodile | Largest and most aggressive—ambushes from water, very deadly |
4. Nile Crocodile | Kills hundreds–thousands yearly by ambush at water’s edge |
5. Hippopotamus | Highly territorial; largest African land threat; ~500 human deaths/year |
6. Box Jellyfish | Carries venom that attacks heart and nerve cells; ~20–40 deaths/year |
7. Inland Taipan | Most venomous snake; one bite can kill 100+ people |
8. Cape Buffalo | Aggressive when threatened; kills more hunters than any other African animal |
9. Indian Saw-Scaled Viper | Small but extremely aggressive and venomous; widespread in populated areas |
10. Pufferfish | Carries tetrodotoxin up to 1,200× cyanide potency; culinary risk |