On land, in the air, or under the sea, you find many of nature’s cutest animals and also it’s killer animals. Combine them both and you have a lethal combination. Their looks lure you in but they’ll kill you. Here are ten cute animals that look like they might cuddle you, but will probably kill you…
10. Siberian Chipmunk
Something that can weigh as little as 50 grams can’t be dangerous, right? Wrong. Though not aggressive, these tiny rodents are carriers of ticks and rabies and are known to spread them throughout many parts of the world. If untreated, coma and death are the parting gifts these little creatures leave you.
9. Bottlenose Dolphin
Everyone loves a dolphin, correct? Maybe so, but these mammals have some anger issues. They are violent and are known to kill their own young. These bullies from the sea have a reputation of playing with the dead carcass of their kill, apparently for no reason other than to have fun.
8. Dingo
A “puppy” this cute can’t be dangerous! I refuse to believe it. But it’s true. They look like puppies, but they fight like wolves. When they go into attack mode, they get mean and they go for the jugular! Literally. They will go for your jugular. Ouch!
7. Blue Ringed Octopus
This type of octopus, recognized by its black and blue rings, is tiny in size but considered one of the most venomous animals in the marine life world. Once bitten, the toxins can cause cardiac arrest, paralysis, blindness, and death. Best to avoid angering the blue-ringed octopus.
6. Slow Loris
This Ewok-looking (a little old-school Star Wars reference there) animal is one of the only poisonous mammals in the world. Even more unusual is how the Loris attack… from their elbows! Yes, you read correctly. They shoot their poison love nectar from their elbows and it can cause death.
5. Hedgehog
Quite unlike the hedgehog you see in video games, this prickly little thing looks adorable when curled in a tiny little ball, but its spikey quills can do some serious damage. They have a way of licking themselves which in turn makes their quills poisonous.
4. Cassowary
These bright and colourful creatures can be harmless when young. But as they get older, they throw temper tantrums and attack with their large claws. These claws are known to be good at disembowelling their prey.
3. Blue Dragon
The tiny blue dragon is about 1 inch in size and brightly blue in colour. It protects itself by producing mucus that keeps enemies away. Even more interesting, they have a way of saving the venom of their own pray (in its concentrated form) and then using it to defend themselves many of which could kill a human!
2. Poison Dart Frog
Found in South and Central America, these tiny and multi-coloured frogs are extremely poisonous. To defend themselves against predators, they secrete a very poisonous toxin. The varying species of poison dart frogs have varying levels of deadliness in their toxin.
1. Hooded Pitohui
The only thing that puts the Hooded Pitohui higher on this list than the Poison Dart Frog, is that the dart frog is still, at the end of the day, a frog. The hooded pitohui is a cute and colourful bird that you would invite to perch on your finger. But if you come into too much contact with this poisonous little fellow, be aware that its skin contains poisons that it acquires from the Choresine beetles it consumes.
Did any of these dangerous (but cute) animals surprise you? Have you ever seen one of them in the wild or in a zoo? Do let us know in the comments below.