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Unfortunately for us, Australia isn’t entirely populated just by friendly locals, cool kangaroos, and cute koalas. The Land Down Under sometimes seems like the most dangerous country on the entire planet and should be renamed the Land of Nope. 

In large part, the country owes its reputation to its ruthless natural hazards, the dangerous animals that live there, and all the scary things that want to make us yell ‘nope!’ and run away faster than the speed of sound in the opposite direction.

To show you just how scary animals in Australia can be, Bored Panda created a list of all the dangers lurking in the Land Down Under. Keep scrolling, share with your friends, and upvote your favorite dangerous animals in Australia!

#1

Roofhanger. Suspended Grey Headed Flying Fox, A Megabat Native To Australia

Giant bat hanging from a houses roof

Batwing is fine and dandy. He dried off and flew away as soon as it was night time. He was not sick, just wet.

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#3

Believe It Or Not, This Is One Of The Least Dangerous Spiders We Have In Australia

Woman holding a massive spider in her hands

This is the huntsman spider, a common friend to be found in houses and garden across Australia. He's harmless really, don't let his large size intimidate you. Huntsmen won't bite humans unless provoked, are not venomous and are actually handy to have around the place, he'll use his speed and agility to keep your cockroach population under control.
Think of the huntsman as a handy pet. Respect his space, let him do his job and he'll look after you well.

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From enormously big spiders to deadly venomous snakes, ferocious crocodiles, octopuses, and disgustingly overgrown earthworms, the Great Southern Land seems to have it all when it comes to nightmare fuel and creepy crawlies. We can probably all agree that some Australian animals look absolutely terrifying, but how dangerous are they really?

#4

Meanwhile In Australia

Massive snake eating a crocodile

An olive python (Liasis olivaceus), western Australia's largest python, having a feed on an Australian freshwater crocodile (crocodylus Johnstoni).

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#5

Araucaria Pine Cone, It's Been Reported To Kill People When Falling

Boy holding a massive pine cone in his hands

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Jill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...and I thought everything was bigger in the States but Australia wins this one!

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#6

Do You Even Lift Bro?

Buff kangaroo posing for a picture

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Adam
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the late Roger Roo from Alice Springs. He died earlier this year :(

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Around 170 snake species live in the country, 100 of which are poisonous. However, that’s not even the worst part: 21 out of the world’s 25 most venomous snakes inhabit Australia.

#7

Ladies And Gentlemen, The Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus)

Giant crocodile taking a bait from a boat

I'm from Darwin, Australia and our rivers here are full of these monstrosities. This guy here is nicknamed Nifty, and he is about 6m long.

robdedog89 Report

#8

Honey, There Is A Kid On Our Bug...

Massive green bug on the back of a kid

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#9

Spider Frost. Rural Victoria, Australia

fields and tables covered with spider webs

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Snakes kill less than 3 people a year in Australia, and the number of casualties seems even smaller when you compare it to the 11,000 individuals that snakes annually kill in Asia.

#10

This Is How Australians Ensure Their Electricity Meter Doesn't Get Read

Massive spider with multiple smaller ones on a electrical box

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#11

Meanwhile, In Australia

Snake under the seat of a toilet

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Ale_Vidal23
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i like how the toilet has literally been broken into its pieces. this reaction is legit honestly

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#12

Toads Riding On A Python

Multiple frogs on a Python on the grass

68mm just fell in the last hour at Kununurra. Flushed all the cane toads out of my brothers dam. Some of them took the easy way out - hitching a ride on the back of a 3.5m python.

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The cane toads are deadlier than the python believe it or not. Cane toads have very few predators due to the toxins. These cane toads were hitching a ride to escape a storm although on expert claims that the male cane toads were in fact trying to mate with the python.

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If poisonous snakes don’t cause you to scream and panic, then what about spiders? More than 2,400 different species of arachnids call the Land Down Under their home.

Among them is the deadly Sydney funnel-web spider, which can end a person’s life within 15 minutes of biting them. This spider always gets into the top lists of the world’s deadliest arachnids and doesn’t mess around: if you see one, nope, right out of there!

RELATED: 50 Animals That Would Be Nightmare Fuel To Non-Australians

#13

Dead Whale Filled With Gas, On The Brink Of Exploding In Bunbury Yesterday

Dead whale in the middle of the street

Mark Watkins Report

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wouldnt want to be near that when it explodes, the stench would be awful.

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#14

This Giant, Hot Pink Slug Is Only Found In A Single, Isolated Forest On An Extinct Volcano In Australia

Giant red slug on the rock

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#15

You Know You're In Australia When Frogs Eat Snakes

Big green frog eating a snake

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That’s not to say that every single spider you encounter abroad is going to be a threat to you. Fortunately, less than 50 Australian spider species pose a threat to people. Let’s also not forget that most spiders are our friends and help keep the native insect population down. 

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Obviously, these tidbits of good news won’t really make Australia’s spiders any less scary to look at. Anyone with arachnophobia should probably still avoid Australia until they get over their fear of spiders and travel elsewhere for their summer vacation.

#16

Meanwhile In Australia

Old couple in a store holding a massive snake

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#18

A Massive Earthworm Found In Queensland, Australia

Man holding a Massive Earthworm on a knife

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What is Australia’s Deadliest Animal?

It might come as a surprise, but Australia’s deadliest animal isn't one of its many venomous creatures. Forget the spine-chilling spiders or the fearsome crocodile. According to the NCIS (National Coronial Information System), the title of Australia’s deadliest animal goes to a far more familiar creature: the horse.

In the wild and rugged landscapes of Australia, where one might expect the most danger to come from its notorious wildlife, it’s actually horses, ponies, and donkeys that pose the greatest risk. From 2001 to 2017, horses have been responsible for the highest number of animal-related deaths in Australia, with 172 fatalities, mostly due to falls.

Cows and other bovine animals also rank high on the list, with 82 reported deaths for the same period of time, mainly through accidents rather than direct attacks. Even our loyal companions, dogs, hold a surprising rank as the third leading cause of animal-related fatalities, responsible for 53 deaths. Most victims were children and elderly people.

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Meanwhile, creatures like snakes and spiders, while dangerous sometimes, have caused far fewer fatalities than one might expect.

#19

Filling Up Your Fuel Tank In Australia? Yep That'll Try And Kill You Too

Fuel tank intestine with a snake behind it

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Oathbraker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hello good sir. Do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior Lucifer Morningstar?

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#20

Mother And Girlfriend Found This On The Beach Today

Sea anemone washed up into the shore

This was found in Broome, Western Australia and looks like an anemone. More specifically, Dofleinia armata, the armed anemone. Also called the striped anemone. It is considered extremely dangerous as it can inflict painful stings that take months to heal.

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#21

Walked Up On The Back Of This Sign While Hiking In Australia...

Danger sign in the middle of nowhere

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Lu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tigers AND snakes breeding together... this is truly frightening lol.

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SkyNews reported 3 shark-caused fatalities in South Australia in 2023. This number is notable as there were only 8 deaths in the previous 22 years. Meanwhile, crocodiles kill an average of 1 or 2 people every year in Australia, with a peak in 2014 when 5 crocodile-related deaths have been reported (via The Guardian). However, it’s not just animals that can harm you in Australia.

The country is also known for its giant 10-kilogram pine cones that can fall on top of you, as well as tennis ball-sized hailstones that can cause severe damage if your head is unprotected. When in Australia, it’s best to either keep looking in all directions at once in search of threats or shut your eyes and wish you were somewhere safe and sound.

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RELATED: Scientists Share The Terrifying Creatures They Found In 16,000 ft Deep Ocean, And We Almost Wish They Hadn’t

#23

Why You Gotta Always "Check Your Shoes" In Australia

Small snake tucked inside of a Crocs

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#24

Aussie Mom Finds World's Second Most Poisonous Snake Hiding In Her Kid's Lunch Box

Small snake hiding in a colorful lunch box

Snake Catchers Adelaide Report

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Sian Edwards
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Venomous. Something is poisonous if YOU eat it and become ill. Something is venomous if IT bites or stings you. Spiders and snakes can be venomous, fungi can be poisonous.

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No wonder the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, beloved zookeeper and one of the bravest people in history, hails from Australia, where danger lurks around almost every corner, and you’re not sure which animal poses a threat.

RELATED: 30 Ways People Destroyed PETA For Criticizing Steve Irwin

#25

Australia. Where Even The Hail Can Kill You

Pool balls compared to hail size

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Sasy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1999 it smashed through the roof of second storey houses and through the floor to the first floor, it was a scary day.

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#26

In Australia Everything Is Trying To Kill You. Even Your Ceiling Lamp

Massive snake coming out from the roof light

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SirPatTheCat
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How rude! I bet he invited himself over too! Couldn't use the front door, noooo....

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#27

This Is Why You Always Have To Check The Toilet In Australia

Massive snake in a white toilet

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whilst a lot of these snakes are scary, most shown in these images are of pythons which are generally harmless. Yes they can constrict and kill a person if they really wanted to but it is very rare for that to happen.

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So, How Many People Are Killed by Animals in Australia?

Based on the available data, from 2001 to 2017, there were 541 animal-related deaths in Australia, with an average of 32 deaths per year. As we’ve seen, among the most deadly animals in Australia, we don’t find any exotic dangers but very familiar faces—horses, cows, and dogs—with land mammals accounting for 71% of all deaths by animals in the country.

These tragedies mainly happened on public roads (30.3%), homes (20.7%), and farms (19.2%).

#28

Blue-Ringed Octopus (Highly Venomous) On Hand

Blue-Ringed Octopus on peoples fingers

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#29

Welcome To Australia Where Insects Are The Size Of A Small Mammal

Green insect on a wooden fence in a backyard

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks to be a Goliath stick insect and are harmless. They apparently make good pets too.

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#30

So My Friend Found This On Her Back Door. Only In Australia Right?

Massive spider behind a glass door

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What is the Most Unusual Animal in Australia?

We’ve been all about the numbers so far, but what about picking Australia’s most unusual animal? There’s no objective answer to this (there are too many weird animals in Australia), but here’s our personal favorite.

Thorny Devil Lizard is a tiny, colorful reptile covered in spiky scales, which give it a dragon-like appearance and help collect and direct water to its mouth—something this species adapted for to survive in arid environments.

Found primarily in the central deserts of Australia, the Thorny Devil Lizard has a peculiar way of walking. He moves in a slow, rocking motion that helps it escape predators and feeds almost exclusively on ants.

See Also on Bored Panda
#32

Damn Nature You Scary

Massive termite mound compared to a woman

Picture of a termite mound in the northern territory of Australia, termites build the tallest structures out of any of the creatures on Earth. Humans would have to build something 10km (6.2 miles for those not on the metric system) tall to equal the scale of size of person to building. Termite mounds are also stronger than cement.

smally1986 Report

#33

I’m Not Going Into The Kitchen Today! Ask Him To Make You Something

Palm sized spider on a kitchen's microwave

chicknorris63 Report

#34

A Friend Of Mine Left For A Holiday In Australia Some Weeks Ago. I Asked Him How Things Were. He Send Me This Picture With The Reply "The Things I've Seen.."

Massive spider on a windowsill

Wolf_SF Report

#35

Welcome To Australia, Where Frogs Eat Snakes

Green frog eating a small snake

WhyteCrayon Report

#36

The Net Casting Spider (Ogre Faced Spider) Hang Upside Down With A Net Made Of Their Silk Waiting For Their Prey To Walk Underneath Them

Massive brown spider casting a net

bensamuel86 Report

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Toujin C'Thlu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These guys look scary, but *won't* kill you. That net of theirs is reserved for bugs

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#37

The Flies Are Much Worse Than The Spiders In Australia

A large amount of flies on man's back

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#38

A Pic A Mate Took Last Night. Awesome Spidley. South East Queensland, Australia

Black and white spider in a spider web and person's hand behind it

RobStanley Report

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The perspective is fake they only grow to approx 5cms. This is a golden orb spider and whilst scary the venom isn’t strong enough to effect a human.

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#39

Every Winter Black Portuguese Millipedes Invade The South Of Western Australia

A large amount of small black snakes on a carpet

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#40

Felt A Tickle On My Leg, Australia

Massive green lizard on person's leg

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Note: this post originally had 75 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

Ever been in the country and met any of these Australian creatures? Or maybe you’ve got a story about an animal that deserves a spot on this list? Scroll down, leave a comment, and don't forget to upvote the scary Australian animals that amazed you the most!

RELATED: This Online Community Celebrates The Land Of ‘Nope’, Here Are 34 Of The Best Posts (New Pics)