Which country has the most venomous animals? Surprisingly, it’s not Australia but Mexico with 80, followed by Brazil with 79 and then Australia with just 66 (they just happen to be more potent). So how is venomous defined here?
Reddit user lanson15 used the Living Hazards Database from the Armed Forces Pest Management Board, which “… is a comprehensive compilation of more than 500 species worldwide, which are reported to cause serious injury or death of humans.”
In addition to the top 3 countries above, Colombia, India, Indonesia and Vietnam all have over 50 different species apiece. Europe, Central Asia and Canada are at the other extreme, with fewer than 10 species per country. And if you’re wondering about France, it’s because it includes French Guiana, which is considered an overseas department of France.
Generally speaking warmer places have more venomous species than colder places, although there are some interesting exceptions to this rule such as the Caribbean, Western Sahara, Madagascar, Bhutan and Lesotho, to name a few.
So if you make your travel plans based around how likely you are to get bitten by a snake or spider, you now have a map of which countries to visit and which to avoid.
Wonder how this looks in the United States:
Similar to the global trend, warmer Southern States have more venomous species than North States. Arizona is the clear winner (or loser) with over 30 species.
Want to learn more about venomous animals? Then have a look at the following books:
- Venomous Reptiles and Their Toxins: Evolution, Pathophysiology and Biodiscovery
- Toxic: Incredible Pictures and Fun Facts about the Most Poisonous Animals in the World
- A Field Guide to Venomous Animals and Poisonous Plants: North America North of Mexico
Would you avoid a country because it had too many venomous animals? Tell us in the comment section below:
Anuj Shinde says
Instead i will try to visit those countries…i love Venomous Snakes 馃檪
Baloo says
Australia has only 66 poisonous animals is wrong. In snakes alone we have over 100 venomous species and adding sea creatures to the list Australia has over 300 varieties of venomous species and over 150 of them are deadly. We are taught this from young at school especially in the northern country towns it鈥檚 called survival
Roger barnett says
Your so right ballot
Big hoo says
And Australia would have less deaths than the top ones because they would not have the available treatment for it unlike Australia because they are not as wealthy and would be more remote
Bast Fenstalker says
How do I avoid it?
I was born in Australia.
In茅s Yuridia Guevara Medina says
Can’t avoid it, I was born in Mexico.
BBakeca says
Great maps!
splooge says
dam sucks to be in the tropics, but when people rip on australia, Id say yes its dangerous but africa,india,latin america and many pacific islands can match or worse due to 3rd world conditions. Its a miracle that people were able to survive on those tropical lands. Europe was lucky no wonder they were able to find time and energy to advance in science and technology and rule the world through colonialism.
all in all would not be vactioning in most tropical lands….sticking with the carribean.
Crazy Bob says
Use capitals.
jimbino says
Dumb. Countries With The Most Venomous Animals means to say Countries With The Most Types of Venomous Animals, apparently.
RVABREAD22 says
Virginia has a lot more than just 5-10%. I would say Virginia should be in deeper red and not pink . We have black widows, recluse spiders, scorpions, cottonmouths, copperheads, and more. Also the areas closer to the NC border have a lot more stuff as well.
Ronald Cameron says
virginia also borders on Washington d c nothing but poison there
Dave says
yikes!
Pluwinsky says
In Mexico, is it really animals you are talking about or the government?
amanda says
hahahah. I loved your comment.
Suzanne says
I was born in New Zealand we have few is no poison related animals. Can’t imagine live with those type of animals.
Heather says
We have the native Katipo spider. We have also recently gained a couple of unwelcome migrants from Australia. (p_q*)
Puppylover says
Australia has the most deadilist or venomous animals there and why I know is because of experiense(p-p).