Nature’s Deadliest Creatures Visual Encyclopedia

DK Delhi Senior Editor Suefa Lee Project Art Editor Pooja Pipil Editor Isha Sharma Assistant Art Editor Kanupriya Lal Jacket Designer Tanya Mehrotra Jackets Editorial Coordinator Priyanka Sharma Senior DTP Designer Harish Aggarwal DTP Designers Sachin Gupta, Rajdeep Singh Picture Researcher Vishal Ghavri Managing Jackets Editor Saloni Singh Picture Research Manager Taiyaba Khatoon Pre-production Manager Balwant Singh Production Manager Pankaj Sharma Senior Managing Editor Rohan Sinha Managing Art Editor Govind Mittal DK London Editor Jessica Cawthra Designer Chrissy Barnard US Editor Kayla Dugger Jacket Editor Claire Gell Jacket Designer Surabhi Wadhwa-Gandhi Jacket Design Development Manager Sophia MTT Producer, Pre-production Siu Yin Chan Senior Producer Angela Graef Managing Editor Francesca Baines Managing Art Editor Philip Letsu Publisher Andrew Macintyre Art Director Karen Self Associate Publishing Director Liz Wheeler Design Director Phil Ormerod Publishing Director Jonathan Metcalf CWonristtueltnabnyt:DDer.reKkimHaBrrvyeayn First American Edition, 2018 Published in the United States by DK Publishing 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 Copyright © 2018 Dorling Kindersley Limited DK, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC 18 19 20 21 22 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 001–299826–Aug/2018 All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited. A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. ISBN 978-1-4654-5897-1 DK books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use. For details, contact: DK Publishing Special Markets, 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 [email protected] Printed and bound in China A WORLD OF IDEAS: SEE ALL THERE IS TO KNOW www.dk.com



CONTENTS 1 2 DEADLY CREATURES 08 VENOMOUS BITES 36 MUSCLES, JAWS, 10 Blue-ringed octopus 38 AND CLAWS Arrow worm 39 12 Yellow-legged giant centipede 40 Giant squid 13 Sydney funnel-web spider 42 Giant Pacific octopus 14 Brown recluse spider 43 Peacock mantis shrimp 16 Redback spider 44 Camel spider 17 Robber fly 45 Great white shark 18 Gila monster 46 Bull shark 19 Gaboon viper 47 Arapaima 20 Saw-scaled viper 48 Viperfish 21 Black mamba 49 Saltwater crocodile 22 Boomslang 50 Green anaconda 23 Inland taipan 51 Perentie 24 King cobra 52 Komodo dragon 26 Northern short-tailed shrew 54 Southern cassowary 27 Slow loris 55 Secretarybird 28 Osprey 29 Harpy eagle 30 Tasmanian devil 31 Siberian tiger 32 Clouded leopard 33 Wolverine 34 Leopard seal 35 Sperm whale

3 4 STINGS AND POISONS 56 TRAPPED! 86 Sea wasp 58 Predatory tunicate 88 Bearded fireworm 59 Brown-lined ribbon worm 89 Purple cone snail 60 Trapdoor spider 90 California sea hare 60 Darwin’s bark spider 91 Disco clam 62 Ogre-faced spider 92 Flamboyant cuttlefish 63 Antlion larva 94 Cyanide millipede 64 Glowing fungus gnat larva 94 Deathstalker 65 New Zealand velvet worm 96 Spanish fly 66 Humpback whale 97 Rattlebox moth caterpillar 67 Puss moth caterpillar 68 DANGER FACTOR Giant silkworm moth caterpillar 69 Queen Alexandra’s birdwing 70 Our danger factor rates creatures from across a wide Tarantula hawk 72 range of species and includes both those that are Maricopa harvester ant 73 deadly in attack and those that are deadly in defense. Bullet ant 74 The scale goes from a rating of 1 to 5. Flower urchin 75 Blue-spotted ribbontail stingray 76 Creatures that are given a rating of 1 are Striped eel catfish 77 the least deadly. Web burrfish 78 Reef stonefish 80 Creatures that are given a rating of 5 are Rough-skinned newt 81 the most deadly. Fire salamander 82 Golden poison frog 83 Hooded pitohui 84 Platypus 85

DECEIVERS AND 5 DEADLY NUMBERS 6 TRICKSTERS 98 Blue shark 124 Flower crab spider Red-bellied piranha Portia spider 100 Giant moray eel 126 Femme fatale lightning bug 101 Yellow-saddle goatfish 126 Orchid mantis 102 Social spider 128 Moth butterfly caterpillar 103 Western honeybee 129 Tasselled wobbegong 104 Asian giant hornet 130 Humpback anglerfish 105 African driver ant 131 Pirate perch 106 Tropical American army ant 132 South American leaf fish 108 Fossa 133 False cleanerfish 109 Harris’s hawk 134 Indian Ocean crocodile fish 110 South American coati 135 Alligator snapping turtle 111 Spotted hyena 136 Sidewinder 112 Gray wolf 138 Cantil 113 African wild dog 139 Puff adder 114 Lion 140 Tentacled snake 115 141 Black heron 116 142 Green-backed heron 117 Polar bear 118 Snow leopard 119 Margay 120 Orca 122 123

SKILLS, TACTICS, 7 DISEASE AND 8 AND CUNNING DESTRUCTION 144 166 Humboldt squid Rosy wolfsnail Bolas spider 146 Chinese mitten crab 168 Red-veined darter 146 Anopheles mosquito 169 Electric eel 148 Australian paralysis tick 170 Texas horned lizard 150 Tsetse fly 171 Common lancehead 151 Oriental rat flea 172 Spitting cobra 152 Electric ant 173 Brown skua 153 Crown-of-thorns starfish 174 Barn owl 154 Snakehead 175 Golden eagle 155 Nile perch 176 Peregrine falcon 156 Red lionfish 177 Great grey shrike 158 Cane toad 178 Ghost bat 159 Brown tree snake 179 Stoat 160 Brown rat 180 Cheetah 161 Vampire bat 181 Bottlenose dolphin 162 Domestic cat 182 Chimpanzee 163 Red fox 184 164 Common hippopotamus 185 Moose 186 Cape buffalo 188 African savanna elephant 189 190 REFERENCE 192 GLOSSARY 204 INDEX 206 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 208

DEADLY CREATURES Animals can be deadly for many different reasons—some in attack and some in defense. But they vary a lot in the risk they pose to other living things—including humans. Deadly in all sizes such as ocean plankton, while others are Any animal that can kill another organism deadly on a much larger scale. Only a few can be classed as deadly. Some are only are dangerous to humans. deadly to tiny insects or minute animals Small killers, small victims Small killers, big victims Big killers, big victims The smallest animals are usually There are exceptions. This blue-ringed Animals that combine massive size; deadly to other small animals. This octopus is not much bigger than your physical strength; and large weapons, spider’s venom kills other spiders, but fist, but its venom is strong enough such as teeth, can sometimes be the its bite cannot harm anything bigger. to kill a human. deadliest of them all. Mosquito 50,000 725,000 Snake 10,000 Which animals are deadly to humans? Tsetse fly 1,000 Some big predators, such as sharks, have the Crocodile strength to kill humans, but such attacks are Hippopotamus 500 very rare. The most dangerous killers of humans are 100 animals that spread disease, such as malaria-carrying Lion 10 mosquitoes. And many animals, including venomous Shark 100,000 snakes, are deadly in self-defense and will only attack if they feel threatened. 0 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000 700,000 800,000 8 Humans killed every year

What makes animals deadly? themselves in ways that can end up being Very different behaviors have evolved to deadly. Other animals can be deadly because make animals deadly, including methods of of completely different aspects of their getting food and ways of escaping danger. behavior. For example, parasites feed on other Those that get their nutrition by killing and living things without immediately killing them eating other animals are called predators. but can spread deadly diseases when they bite. The animals they target—their prey—defend PREDATORS DEFENDERS Muscles, jaws, and claws Muscles, jaws, and claws Many predators use Strength and weaponry brute strength and can sometimes turn a weaponry to attack cornered defender into and kill their prey. a deadly killer. Venomous bites Stings and poisons Venom-laced bites Painful stings and have mainly evolved to kill prey but are foul-tasting poisons sometimes used in have evolved to self-defense. keep predators away but sometimes have Traps By setting a trap to deadly effects. catch prey, predators save energy in a chase Deadly numbers or a fight. Strength in numbers is a powerful defense—and is sometimes used to help overcome prey. Deceivers and tricksters PARASITES Some predators can Disease and pretend to be harmless destruction objects and hide in Some animals carry ambush, or imitate diseases that can kill, food to attract prey. while other animals may be destructive to Skills, tactics, habitats when they and cunning invade new regions. Super senses, brain power, and speed Deadly creatures can all help a predator catch its prey. 9

MUSCLES, JAWS, AND CLAWS A Siberian tiger’s daggerlike canine teeth—the longest of any cat—are adapted to kill. When animals clash, size and strength can help them stay alive. Many wield physical weapons, such as teeth and claws, with lethal effects—both in predatory attacks and in self-defense.



Muscles, jaws, and clawsGIASNQT UID Esnemqnouaeryiwmmdhhoayeauv,llopssepiestdeh.yriiemtsss Architeuthis dux DATA FILE Found in the darkness of the deep ocean, this lethal DANGER FACTOR hunter is one of the biggest SIZE: Up to 59 ft (18 m) long animals without a backbone. RANGE: Worldwide in the Its eight muscular arms and deep ocean two tentacles—the longest DIET: Fish and other squid of any squid—have suckers for catching prey. Once caught, the prey is torn apart with the squid’s hooked beak. 12

GIAONCTTPOACPIFUICS DATA FILE Enteroctopus dofleini DANGER FACTOR Found in cold ocean waters, this creature SIZE: Arm span up to 31.5 ft has the biggest arm span compared to (9.6 m) long other octopus species. It combines brain RANGE: Coastlines of the and brawn to grab anything tasty that North Pacific Ocean comes within its massive reach. A trash DIET: Crabs, lobsters, pile next to its underwater lair contains shrimp, clams, and fish the remains of its victims. It eats animals up to the size of small sharks and even the occasional seabird. This octopus can squeeze through a hole the size of its beak—the only hard part of its body. Muscles, jaws, and claws 13

Muscles, jaws, and clawsPEMACAOCNKTIS SHRIMP Odontodactylus scyllarus This colorful crustacean hides at the bottom of coral reefs and packs a deadly punch. The peacock mantis shrimp holds a pair of solid clubs under the front of its body. When a crab wanders close, the shrimp swings the clubs with the speed of a bullet to hammer its victim’s shell to pieces. It has the strength to smash the glass of an aquarium. Prey-smashing clubs are carried on the second pair of legs. Peacock mantis shrimp, front view 14

shPterbhiameactnoptechhkrauvmvmiesaaineontvnsies.n DATA FILE DANGER FACTOR SIZE: 2–7 in (5–17 cm) long RANGE: Eastern Africa to Japan, Australia, and southwestern Pacific DIET: Crabs, snails, and fish Mantis shrimp threaten rivals and enemies by flashing colorful paddles on their antennae. Like other crustaceans, Muscles, jaws, and claws the mantis shrimp is covered in a hard armorlike exoskeleton. 15

CASMPELIDER DATA FILE Solifugae DANGER FACTOR This eight-legged desert hunter is SIZE: 0.4–2.8 in (1–7 cm) not venomous, but it makes up for long, with leg span up to this by having enormous jaws. After 4.7 in (12 cm) chasing down or ambushing prey, RANGE: Tropical, dry a camel spider uses its jaws like habitats in Africa, Asia, pincers to rip the victim apart while and Americas it is still struggling—even snapping DIET: Invertebrates, small through tiny bones. reptiles, and rodents Muscles, jaws, and claws scApaenc(ea1mdm6ooekvflme1sp/0aihtdm)te.hpreh 16

GRSEHATAWRHKITE DATA FILE Carcharodon carcharias DANGER FACTOR SIZE: 11–20 ft (3.5–6 m) long RANGE: Oceans worldwide, except cold polar waters DIET: Fish, marine mammals, seabirds, squid, and crustaceans Great white shark, side view Sawlike teeth and Muscles, jaws, and claws powerful jaws One of the ocean’s biggest top predators, help this shark the great white shark has the power to carve through kill mammals the size of elephant seals bone and blubber. and baby whales. This shark disables its biggest prey with a huge bite, then it 17 may wait for the victim to bleed to death before devouring it.

BUSLLHARK DATA FILE Carcharhinus leucas DANGER FACTOR Unusually for sharks, this underwater SIZE: Up to 11.2 ft predator can survive in fresh water and (3.4 m) long occasionally wanders up the rivers, far from the salty ocean. Here it continues to hunt, RANGE: Coastal waters even when close to the riverbank and near of tropics worldwide; people. This behavior, along with its massive sometimes in rivers jaws and big appetite, makes it a potentially DIET: Other fish, dangerous shark. invertebrates, and carrion The bull shark has tiny Bull shark, side view eyes and poor eyesight, so it mainly relies on its other senses—such as smell—to locate prey. Muscles, jaws, and claws 18

ARAPAIMA rTaihmniseenaasedriseattspihnyaooitmluheneasg river bed. Arapaima The predatory arapaima is one of the biggest of all freshwater fish. It is found in the murky flooded waters of the Amazon river and uses a special lung to breathe air. Every 10 minutes, it rises to the surface to take a gulp or, if it is hungry, to grab an unsuspecting bird. DATA FILE Muscles, jaws, and claws DANGER FACTOR SIZE: Up to 14.7 ft (4.5 m) long RANGE: Rivers of the Amazon basin DIET: Wide variety of animals 19

VIPERFISH DATA FILE Chauliodus DANGER FACTOR The viperfish has the longest teeth in proportion SIZE: 5.9–13.7 in to its head than any other fish. In its dark (15–35 cm) long, ocean habitat, this ferocious predator uses its depending on species impressive teeth to ensure that its prey doesn’t RANGE: Deep ocean escape. The long fangs close around a struggling worldwide target like a cage, trapping the victim before it is swallowed whole. DIET: Other fish, crustaceans, and arrow worms The viperfish hasMuscles, jaws, and clawssroTewhfaiaecthlsvleobipswoe6dr3pyfirpsleheeynrctcgahetnanhtt. light-producing organs, possibly to help attract prey. 20

SACLTRWOATCEOR DILE DATA FILE Crocodylus porosus DANGER FACTOR SIZE: Up to 20.3 ft (6.2 m) long, from head to tail RANGE: Asia, northern Australia, and western Pacific Islands DIET: Crustaceans, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals No other reptile grows as big as the tchTathenhes(awe1bnceit2groiog,gn2cheno0semd0t)io.ollbefrseMuscles, jaws, and claws saltwater crocodile. It lives along coastlines, and unlike other crocodiles, 21 regularly swims out to sea. Victims are ambushed at the water’s edge, then dragged beneath the surface and drowned as the reptile spins around and around in a so-called “death roll.” This large predator then feasts on the victim, tearing up large chunks.

Muscles, jaws, and clawsGRAEENNACONDA Eunectes murinus Weighing up to 154 lb (70 kg), the green anaconda is the world’s heaviest snake. It is slow and cumbersome on land but more agile in water, where it watches for prey with its eyes just above the surface. This formidable predator kills by constriction, tightening its coils around its victim and squeezing so hard that it stops its prey’s heart from pumping blood. DATA FILE DANGER FACTOR SIZE: Up to 17.3 ft (5.3 m) long RANGE: Swamps of tropical South America DIET: Animals up to the size of deer 22

PERENTIE Perentie, side view Varanus giganteus A threatened perentie opens Australia’s largest lizard has a tail its mouth wide to that is longer than the length of its ward off attackers. head and body. The perentie uses its tail to swipe at an attacker—with a force that is said to be strong enough to break a dog’s leg. Although it prefers smaller prey, it can overpower anything up to the size of a small kangaroo using its sharp teeth and claws. DATA FILE DANGER FACTOR SIZE: Up to 6.5 ft (2 m) long, head to tail RANGE: Deserts of western and central Australia DIET: Animals, eggs, and carrion 23

KODMRODAOGON Komodo dragons can smell the oils from Varanus komodoensis decomposing carcasses The world’s biggest lizard, the Komodo over long distances. dragon is at the top of its food chain on the tropical island of Komodo, Indonesia. An adult dragon ambushes prey as big as deer. It attacks with a slashing bite and sharp claws that leave prey badly wounded. Most victims die quickly from shock or blood loss. The reptile then gorges on meat and bones, and later regurgitates the indigestible hair and horns in a slimy pellet. Muscles, jaws, and clawsKomodo dragon, side viewThe saliva is laced 24 with small amounts of venom.

KosoonTmmhsomeedtbaiomilgldeegrrsaeopgsntroeenyss. DATA FILE Muscles, jaws, and claws DANGER FACTOR SIZE: Up to 9.8 ft (3 m) long, from head to tail RANGE: Komodo, and other nearby islands in Indonesia DIET: Deer, reptiles, pigs, rodents, monkeys, eggs, insects, and carrion 25

SOCUATHSESRNOWARY Southern cassowary, side view Casuarius casuarius Found in rainforests, this flightless bird weighs up to 128 lb (58 kg) and is one of the largest birds in the world. It prefers to stay hidden in the undergrowth, but if cornered the southern cassowary can kick out with both feet at once, and its long, sharp claws (on its inner toes) can rip open an attacker’s belly. DATA FILE DANGER FACTOR SIZE: 39–67 in (100–170 cm) tall RANGE: New Guinea and northeastern Australia DIET: Mainly fallen fruit; also fungi, small animals, and sometimes carrion The cassowary’sMuscles, jaws, and claws daggerlike claws are lethal. 26

SECRETARYBIRD Muscles, jaws, and claws Sagittarius serpentarius The secretarybird gets its name from the crest of black feathers on its head, which resemble the quill pens that secretaries once used. This long-legged relative of hawks and eagles kills its prey by stamping on them with its thick feet. Anything small enough is then swallowed whole, while larger prey is held down by the toes and torn apart with its hooked bill. By kicking with its feet, the secretarybird can even overcome venomous snakes, such as adders and cobras. DATA FILE DANGER FACTOR SIZE: Up to 47 in (120 cm) tall RANGE: Grasslands in Africa, south of the Sahara desert DIET: Grasshoppers and beetles; also frogs, reptiles, and small mammals 27

OSPREY DATA FILE Pandion haliaetus DANGER FACTOR Fish can be slippery prey, but the osprey SIZE: 21.6–22.8 in is superbly adapted for catching them. It (55–58 cm) long plunges into the water from heights of RANGE: Nearly worldwide; 98 ft (30 m) and uses its long, bare legs to found near shallow water reach below the surface. Spiny pads on its DIET: Fish feet and its long talons help it to grip a fish. Muscles, jaws, and claws Thedtvoueaornslsivtptnoeergspreiycanwl’gsodasniitvteeoserse nostrils. 28

HAERAPYGLE The harpy is Muscles, jaws, and claws one of several Harpia harpyja kinds of eagles with a head crest. The harpy eagle is one of the largest raptors in 29 the world. Up to one-third of prey taken by this huge rainforest eagle are slow-moving sloths—but it can also catch speedy monkeys. Most sloth prey are caught when they climb into treetops—this hunter easily spots them and makes its swooping attack. DATA FILE DANGER FACTOR SIZE: 35–41.3 in (89–105 cm) long RANGE: Tropical forests of Central and South America DIET: Sloths, monkeys, reptiles, and other large animals

TADSMEAVNIIALN hTFaaossrbmtihittaesenssioiatzfrneoa,dnnteghyveeislt mammal. Sarcophilus harrisii This marsupial can be easily When agitated, the identified by its eerie screeches Tasmanian devil’s ears late at night. Despite its short legs, the Tasmanian devil can can turn bright red. roam up to 6 miles (9 km) to eat. It relishes a carcass as much as fresh meat. A large group of devils will squabble noisily over a dead animal, crunching its bones with amazingly strong jaws. Muscles, jaws, and clawsDATA FILE DANGER FACTOR SIZE: Up to 36 in (91 cm) long, head to tail RANGE: Forests and grassy woodlands of Tasmania DIET: Possums, wombats, and carrion 30

SIBTEIRGIAENR Panthera tigris altaica The biggest kinds of living cats DATA FILE Muscles, jaws, and claws are tigers that live in the cold, snowy forests of Asia. The Siberian tiger DANGER FACTOR is an expert at creeping close to its prey before swiping the victim SIZE: Up to 157 in to the ground with its sharp claws. (399 cm) long, head to tail The biggest deer are strangled RANGE: Russian Far East with a bite to the throat. and northeastern China DIET: Mainly deer and wild pigs 31

CLOLEUDOEPDARD Neofelis Muscles, jaws, and clawsThis predator has the longest canine Clouded leopard, side view teeth, in proportion to its head, of any living cat—making the clouded leopard DATA FILE something like a modern version of a prehistoric saber-toothed cat. The massive DANGER FACTOR muscles in its mouth stretch right over the back of its skull, helping this deadly SIZE: Up to 76 in predator clamp down on prey with a (192 cm) long, from formidable killing bite. head to tail RANGE: Tropical forests 32 of Southeast Asia DIET: Porcupines, pigs, small deer, primates, birds, and fish

WOLVERINE Gulo gulo A wolverine kills Wolverine, side view Muscles, jaws, and claws with a bite to the head or neck. DATA FILE The wolverine looks like a small bear DANGER FACTOR but is really the biggest member of the weasel family. Although it usually SIZE: 26–41 in (65–105 cm) eats from carcasses left by speedier long, head and body wolves, when animals are hindered by thick snow, it can bring down prey as RANGE: Coniferous forests big as reindeer. and tundra around the Northern Hemisphere DIET: Carrion, rodents, rabbits, deer, birds, and eggs 33

LESOPEAARDL Hydrurga leptonyx Leopard seal, side view Muscles, jaws, and clawsIn freezing Antarctica, carnivorousDATA FILE leopard seals hunt anything they can overpower—including other seals. Their DANGER FACTOR tactics change through the seasons. When penguins are breeding during the summer, SIZE: 7.8–11.1 ft the seals lurk between the ice floes to (2.4–3.4 m) long catch and devour the birds that are fishing RANGE: Icepacks around to feed their chicks. Antarctica DIET: Fish, penguins, squid, 34 and other ocean animals

SPWERMHALE Physeter macrocephalus All the sperm whale’s teeth are in the narrow lower jaw. Many giant whales feed by straining DATA FILE Muscles, jaws, and claws small ocean plankton, but the sperm whale prefers meatier prey. It is the DANGER FACTOR biggest living animal with teeth, used for biting larger prey. This deep-sea SIZE: 34.1–63 ft hunter dives down to 1.2 miles (2 km) (10.4–19.2 m) long below the ocean surface, holding its RANGE: Oceans worldwide breath for more than an hour, in search of its favorite food—deep-sea squid. DIET: Squid and fish 35



VENOMOUS BITES Strong bites can inflict serious injury, but bites that carry venom can be especially dangerous. Each venom is a cocktail of harmful substances. Some venoms can cripple the muscles, while others can shut down vital organs, but all are effective in overpowering prey or driving away enemies.

BLOUEC-RTIONGPEUD S DATA FILE Hapalochlaena DANGER FACTOR Many kinds of octopus in the SIZE: 4.7–8.6 in ocean rely on size and brute (12–22 cm) long, strength, but this small octopus depending on species relies on particularly strong RANGE: Tropical Asia, Japan, venom for defense and to kill New Guinea, and Australia prey. Before it bites, the bright blue rings on its DIET: Crabs, shrimp, and body intensify as a other crustaceans warning. It can be found on coastlines and coral reefs. One octopus carries enough venom to kill 26 people. Venomous bites 38

ARWROOWRM DATA FILE Chaetognatha DANGER FACTOR Arrow worms live among the tiny animals SIZE: 0.07–4.7 in that drift in ocean water. They dart through (2–120 mm) long, the water like little arrows and feed by depending on species gulping particles in the seawater. Armed with RANGE: Worldwide, from clawlike jaws, they sometimes grab bigger shallows to deep sea prey—and even paralyze it with venom. DIET: Microscopic food particles; also crustaceans and tiny fish Venomous bites 39

Venomous bitesYEGLLIOAWN-LTEGCGEEDNTIPEDE Scolopendra gigantea Its3ab0mitseoeuccoasenndiknsi.ll This deadly predator dwells in tropical forests. It is the world’s largest centipede and can grow to the length of a small snake. Its long antennae help it detect prey through touch and scent. Like all centipedes, it has venomous fangs that are used to kill prey, but this giant can use them to kill much larger prey, such as mice and birds. It can even hunt bats on the ceilings of caves, using its strong legs to crawl up the walls and attack with a deadly bite. 40

DATA FILE Venomous bites DANGER FACTOR SIZE: Up to 11 in (28 cm) long RANGE: Colombia, northern Venezuela, and Trinidad DIET: Invertebrates, frogs, lizards, small birds, and mammals 41

SYSDPNEIYDFEURNNEL-WEB DATA FILE Atrax robustus DANGER FACTOR Found mainly in forests, SIZE: 0.5–1.3 in (1.5–3.5 cm) the funnel-web spider is long, head and body so-called because it lurks in RANGE: Southeastern funnel-like burrows to wait Australia for passing prey. Triplines DIET: Insects, cockroaches, of silk extend from the small lizards, and burrow’s entrance, so that other small animals when prey stumble across them, the spider is alerted. The Sydney funnel-web found in Australia is the deadliest of the bunch, and its venom is strong enough to kill a human. An aggressive male funnel-web rears up when it is threatened to expose its enormous fangs. Venomous bitesFsusfwnuanrilwmlveiilhnvm-ewetoirnfeeoggbtrahsphreodooyfeoutnelrssn,. 42

BRSOPWINDREERCLUSE Loxosceles reclusa Living near humans provides DATA FILE Venomous bites this spider with its perfect home—the nooks and crannies DANGER FACTOR in a shed, garage, or house. The recluse spider goes SIZE: 0.2–0.7 in (0.5–2 cm) wandering at night in search long, head and body of insect prey. When it bites in RANGE: Various habitats self-defense, it can produce a in southern US wound that sometimes turns DIET: Insects into a big open sore. 43

RESDPBAICDKER Latrodectus hasselti Fsdeepumairdtaientlhregsermuemsdauatbailanellcgsyk. Females have a red stripe on their back and a red hourglass shape underneath. Venomous bitesNative to dry forests and deserts, this DATA FILE infamous spider likes to build its tangled web in the shelter of buildings. It uses its DANGER FACTOR venom to paralyze small prey, but also attacks in self-defense if a careless hand SIZE: Male body 0.11–0.15 in gets too close. Bigger females inject (3–4 mm) long, female body more venom than the males. Their up to 0.4 in (10 mm) painful bites can cause sickness and RANGE: Australia, headaches in humans. introduced to Asia 44 DIET: Mainly insects; also woodlice, other spiders, and lizards

ROFBLBYER DATA FILE Asilidae DANGER FACTOR SIZE: 0.1–2.3 in (0.5–6 cm) long, wingspan up to 3.1 in (8 cm) RANGE: Worldwide, except for Hawaii and Antarctica DIET: Other flies, wasps, beetles, and butterflies The falcon of the insect world, Most robber flies have a Venomous bites this fly scans for flying insects long, tapering abdomen, from a perch and then attacks. but in some species it is Found in grasslands and deserts, it grabs a target, such as a short and squat to grasshopper, in midair with its mimic bees. strong bristly legs. The robber fly then stabs into its prey’s neck, 45 eyes, or other soft parts using its pointed mouthparts.

GILMA ONSTER DATA FILE Heloderma suspectum DANGER FACTOR SIZE: 13.7–22.1 in Unlike venomous snakes, which bite (35–56 cm) long, quickly and wait for their poison to take head to tail effect, the gila monster—one of only RANGE: Desert in southern two kinds of venomous lizard—likes to US and northern Mexico make sure its poison will work. It keeps DIET: Small mammals, a tight hold on its victim and keeps birds, frogs, others lizards, chewing so that even more venom and carrion seeps into the wound. Gila monster, top view The gila monster, theVenomous bites largest lizard in the US, has tiny beadlike scales on its body. 46

GAVBIOPOEN R DATA FILE Bitis gabonica DANGER FACTOR The viper’s eyes can move SIZE: Up to 5.9 ft more than those of other (1.8 m) long snakes, helping it to scan RANGE: Rainforests and its surroundings. open woodlands in Africa DIET: Rodents, rabbits, other small mammals, and birds The gaboon viper’s body pattern gives it perfect camouflage against the leaf litter of a forest floor. Fangs can grow up to Venomous bites 1.9 in (5 cm) long This big snake breaks all the records. It is the world’s heaviest venomous snake, has the longest fangs, and produces the most venom. Although less aggressive than other kinds of vipers, it doesn’t let go when it bites and has the strength to overpower a small deer. 47

SAVWI-PSCEARLED inTvtnhoipeetesrstrealceiwnasng-tsocbclaiairlmtdetdsab.ck Echis carinatus Venomous bitesBy living in close proximity to people, DATA FILE the saw-scaled viper may be responsible for more human fatalities than any DANGER FACTOR other reptile. Its venom is not particularly strong, but an earth-colored body and SIZE: 20–29 in nocturnal habits mean it is not easily (50–73 cm) long seen—until it bites. RANGE: Deserts and dry 48 shrubland in the Middle East and India DIET: Rodents, lizards, frogs, invertebrates, and nestling birds