Polar Bear

These large balls of white fluff may look cute and cuddly, but they’re much more dangerous than you think. If you happen to spot a polar bear, keep it in the distance. They’ll keep to themselves, unless they’ve been provoked, or need food. They have sharp teeth and claws that’ll shred a human being to bits. Polar bear attacks on humans have been on the rise, with more than 20 attacks on humans occurring in recent years (via Best Life Online).

Hyenas

The animals with the funniest laughs are hyenas. It also sounds like they’re on the verge of a laughing fit, but even if they sound funny, they’re far from the opposite. Even though they’re small, they’re aggressive. They have razor-sharp teeth that’ll bite any person in a matter of seconds, leaving a horrible wound. Hyenas tend to target children, women, and the elderly, and the more aggressive gender is the male. You’ll know it’s a male because they’re larger than the women (via Best Life Online).

Racoons

Raccoons are annoying, especially when you find your trash thrown across your entire lawn, earning them the nickname “trash pandas.” That’s not what makes them dangerous, though, and they’re more dangerous than you think because they carry rabies. If they feel threatened by a human, they’ll bite and scratch. Even if their bites are minor, you’ll still need to go to the hospital if you’re bitten because they carry rabies. Rabies is a deadly disease with no cure. Dogs also carry rabies, but it’s much less common since they receive the rabies vaccine (via Business Insider).

Red Pandas

Red pandas, also known as “firefoxes” or “lesser pandas,” are small, carnivorous mammals native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. They are closely related to raccoons and have reddish-brown fur, a long, bushy tail, and distinctive markings on their face. Red pandas are about the size of a domestic cat and weigh around 6-14 pounds. They’re more closely related to raccoons. When they feel threatened, they rear up on their hind legs and strike with claws sharp enough to tear human flesh. They’re not known for their aggressive behavior, however when threatened, they can be vicious (via Best Life Online).

Mice

When you see a mouse scurrying across your kitchen floor, you might shout in fear. But the element of surprise is not what makes these animals more dangerous than you think. These critters won’t gnaw your eyes out or bite your hand off, but they can spread several diseases, either through direct contact or indirect transmission. If you see a mouse in your house, it’s recommended you get rid of it. They can carry diseases including monkeypox, rat-bite fever, and Lassa fever (via Best Life Online).

Hedgehogs

Generally speaking, hedgehogs will try to run away from humans if they feel scared or threatened. But it may be surprising to find out that they’re a lot more dangerous than you think. Even though many people have hedgehogs as pets, their spikes can be dangerous to human skin, or anything else for that matter. They’re still on our side, though, because when a human picks them up, they curl their bodies and pull their spikes inwards. But when they’re threatened, they extend their spikes vertically. It’s also possible that their spikes carry a host of bacteria, so if you do get pricked, make sure you clean it. Adult hedgehogs also have a more powerful bite than smaller ones (via RD).

Honey Badgers

Don’t badger the honey badger! They don’t like sharing their honey, and even if they look cute, they’re not. They’re much more dangerous than you think, and if they bite you with their powerful jaws, they might break the bones in your hand. Their jaws are powerful enough to crack a tortoise’s shell. It’ll only attack if it feels threatened or cornered. They’re also incredibly smart and can figure out a locking mechanism. They’ll also jump out of a window if they’re hungry and looking for food. Even though we probably wouldn’t do that, we can relate to the need for food (via Best Life Online).

Catfish

Most species of catfish are not dangerous to humans. They are generally peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish that are not aggressive towards people. Catfish have venom on their dorsal, but they are not typically strong enough to cause harm to humans. However, some larger species of catfish, such as the Mekong giant catfish, can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 600 pounds. These fish may be capable of causing injury if they were to accidentally strike a person with their body or tail while swimming. It is best to exercise caution and avoid handling or trying to touch large catfish in the wild. (via Best Life Online).

Hippopotamuses

These round, large hippos may seem like animals that only eat and hang out, largely due to the game Hungry, Hungry Hippos. But they’re much more dangerous than you think. These water-loving creatures act docile, but they can cause death by drowning. They’ve also charged at humans. Don’t be fooled by their yawn, either, since it’s an aggressive signal that’s warning you to stay far, far away. It’s been referred to as the world’s most dangerous land animal and kills up to 500 people per year in Africa. In fact, recently, a CNN headline reported that a two year old boy was rescued from a hippo while playing in his own back yard in Uganda. The hippo had already swallowed half of the toddler’s body before a brave neighbor stoned the hippo and pulled the boy from its jaws. (via Best Life Online).

Great Horned Owls

Owls may seem like innocent, nocturnal tree creatures, but these animals are much more dangerous than you think. You don’t want to ruffle their feathers the wrong way. They have sharp talons they’re not afraid to use. When they have a nest of young owls they want to protect, they’ll do anything they can to jab their predator with these talons. Don’t go anywhere near their nests, or you’ll regret it. The most at-risk are joggers and hikers, who may look like they’re charging at the owl’s nest (via Best Life Online).

Koalas

Even though these huggable animals may seem like the cuddliest creatures in the world, they’re a lot more dangerous than you think. They’re marsupials with powerful jaws that give an intense bite. They’re not afraid to use their jaws when they feel threatened or cornered, so don’t think about giving them a big hug. Attacks are rare, considering they sleep 22 hours per day and sleep in the trees, but if you do spot one, try not to startle them. The most unnerving part about koalas, though, is that they can transmit chlamydia to a human who comes into contact with their urine. They’re also known for being more aggressive than crocodiles (via Best Life Online).

Poison Dart Frogs

The name says it all. These frogs are, in fact, poisonous. Don’t be fooled by their small size. Poison dart frogs are small, brightly colored frogs that are native to Central and South America. They get their name from the toxic secretions on their skin, which were once used by indigenous people to poison the tips of darts and arrows. One single frog carries enough poison to paralyze and kill ten grown men. It is important to avoid touching or handling poison dart frogs, as their toxins can be absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes. Their bright, vibrant color is a sign of just how poisonous they are. If you see one, don’t go near it (via Business Insider).

Hooded Pitohui

When you see a hooded pitohui, you may fall in love with its beautiful beak, dark red eyes, and orange feathers. From afar, the bird looks graceful and peaceful, but it’s much more dangerous than you think. It’s one of the world’s only toxic birds. They have a toxin in their skin deadly to humans. It’s called batrachotoxin, and in high enough doses, this toxin can cause cardiac arrest, paralysis, and eventually, death. It’s the same toxin found in the poison dart frog in South America. They don’t develop this toxin naturally, they get it from their food source, myeloid beetles. Only observe this bird from afar, if you do happen to run into it (via AZ Animals).

Dolphin

There’s no way dolphins are aggressive or dangerous, right? These graceful sea creatures are loved around the world. But they’re much more dangerous than you think, even if you have already found yourself swimming with dolphins in Mexico. In some cases, dolphins may approach humans in a friendly manner and seem to want to interact with them. This can be an exciting and enjoyable experience, but it is important to remember that dolphins are wild animals and should be treated with respect. It is never a good idea to try to touch or ride a dolphin, as this can be harmful to both the animal and the person Even though we admire their beauty and intelligence, they occasionally bite humans and will drag them underwater. You may think twice about swimming with dolphins next time (via AZ Animals).

Kangaroos

The Australian Outback is home to some of the deadliest, most dangerous animals in the world. Kangaroos may look cute, but they’re much more dangerous than you think. Like all animals, kangaroos can become aggressive if they feel threatened or if they are trying to protect their young. It is important to respect a kangaroo’s space and to give it plenty of room to retreat if you encounter one in the wild.They have strong legs, and if you encounter an aggressive kangaroo, you better back away quickly. You might not have much of a chance, though, since an adult kangaroo can catch up to a human being in no time. They’ll kick you and can inflict some serious injury on a human who gets too close (via Best Life Online).

Domestic Cat

Even though cats tend to keep to themselves, they certainly have a mysterious side. It always seems like they’re up to no good, and they know more than we think they do. They’re responsible for more than 2.4 billion bird deaths every single year. If we were to switch birds with humans, then cats would be responsible for eliminating the human race twice over, every single year. Let’s keep these animals on our good side. Humans can also catch diseases from a cat bite, so if you are bitten by a domestic cat, take good care of cleaning the wound (via Best Life Online).

Pufferfish

It may come as a surprise that pufferfish is one of the most poisonous vertebrates in the world. To protect themselves, they’ll inflate their bodies and release tetrodotoxin. This toxin is lethal to not only fish but humans, too. One pufferfish carries enough toxins to kill 30 human beings. This poison is up to 1,200 times more toxic than cyanide. The pufferfish is also considered a delicacy in Japan. Only professional, trained chefs can prepare a pufferfish for human consumption. With one wrong move, someone eating pufferfish will die almost instantaneously (via RD).

Giant Pandas

Even though giant pandas aren’t related to red pandas, it doesn’t make them any less dangerous. Even though these cuddly animals seem friendly and inviting, they’re a lot more dangerous than you think. Their teeth are strong enough to cut through bamboo, so you can only assume what those teeth could do to a human. No one wants a 250-pound bear chasing them, either. Even though these animals like to avoid any confrontation, they’re not afraid to attack when they feel provoked (via Best Life Online).

Wolverine

Wolverines are medium sized, carnivorous mammals that are native to the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are known for their strength, ferocity, and tenacity, and have a reputation as being one of the most formidable predators in their range.This creature will hunt anything and everything it happens to come across, and that includes human beings. While wolverines are not generally considered to be dangerous to humans, they are solitary animals and can be very territorial. They’ve been videotaped fighting wolves, and even though they’ve never killed a human, it’s best to stay far away from these animals (via Best Life Online).

Leopard Seals

Seals may seem like gentle, blubbery sea puppies, but they have us fooled. They have a dangerous streak. Leopard seals are large, carnivorous mammals that are native to the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. They are named for their distinctive spotted coat and are known for their powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Leopard seals are one of the top predators in the Antarctic ecosystem and are known to prey on a variety of other animals, including seals, penguins, and fish. Even though they have cute faces and whiskers, they’re still aggressive predators that have been known to drown human beings. One researcher was killed in Antarctic waters after an aggressive leopard seal attacked him while snorkeling. Seals will kill any other warm-blooded prey, and that includes other seals (via Best Life Online).

Lion

Even though you might already know that lions are dangerous, they’re even more dangerous than you think. Observing these animals during a safari in Africa is relatively safe, but because they’re unpredictable, it’s recommended you keep your windows closed and limbs inside the vehicle during a safari. It is especially important to be careful around predators like lions, which are adapted to hunting and killing other animals. They kill an average of 100 humans every single year (via Best Life Online).