photo: John 'K'
Sharks
Perhaps the most dangerous predator in the ocean is the white shark: this animal brings great fear to people. Sharks lived in the ocean many years before humans appeared. About 400 species of these animals are known, but the white shark is considered the most dangerous predator. Its powerful teeth, enormous weight - about 3 tons and a length of about 6 meters - can terrify anyone. The predator has a spindle-shaped body, large fins and a crescent-shaped tail, and lives for approximately 27 years. There are 300 sharp teeth in the oral cavity, the upper jaw is equipped with triangular teeth, and on the lower jaw they take on a curved shape.
photo: corwinconnect
However, humans are not a “delicacy” for these animals; they prefer to attack those inhabitants who have good fat reserves, for example, fur seals and lions. People are not very interesting for white sharks: they have a lot of muscle tissue and tendons. Shark attacks on people occur for two reasons:
a person flounders in the water, and a predator mistakes him for easy prey - a sick animal;
the silhouette of a man floating on a surfboard resembles the outlines of other inhabitants of the ocean. Because sharks have poor eyesight, they may mistake a swimmer for mere prey. To make sure that the prey is edible, the predator makes a test bite or limits itself to a powerful push, but it can also tear the prey into pieces.
photo: Venson Kuchipudi
How will he behave? White shark, difficult to predict. Having caught prey, the shark shakes its head in different directions, which helps it tear the victim into pieces.
Scientists believe that thanks to this animal, the Pacific Ocean is the cleanest, since the shark eats the weakest creatures.
Sea anemones
These organisms belong to the class of cnidarians, distinctive feature which is the presence of stinging cells used for protection from predators and for the purpose of attack. Anemones lead a sedentary lifestyle, their length reaches 1 meter in height.
photo:Achim
These predators are attached to the bottom with a special leg called the basal disc or sole. The tentacles of sea anemones, the number of which varies from ten to hundreds, contain special cells called cnidocytes. These cells secrete a venom, a mixture of toxins, intended for hunting and self-defense. The poison contains substances that affect the nervous system: they paralyze the victim, which allows the predator to pull it closer to the mouth. With the help of poison, sea anemones immobilize fish and crustaceans, which constitute their main diet.
For humans, the venom of stinging cells is not life-threatening, but can cause pain and burns.
Killer whales
These predators belong to the dolphin family, but do not have all the benevolent features of these animals. Their nickname is the killer whale; they eat almost all the inhabitants of the oceans: shellfish, fish, mammals. If there is enough food for them, then killer whales exist quite peacefully with other cetaceans. But if a killer whale gets hungry, a whale, a penguin, or a penguin can become food for it.
photo: Nick Johnson
The size of the prey does not really matter: if it is a large animal, the killer whales can attack as a whole herd. But when it is not possible to kill the prey in one fell swoop, killer whales can starve it out, biting off small pieces from the body. No one can be protected from the attack of killer whales - neither a small herring nor a large dolphin.
A pack of these animals works in a strictly regulated mode: when they notice the prey, they become very “silent”.
photo:Sean
They move in even ranks, like soldiers, and each individual has its own task. If a pod of killer whales leads sedentary image life, that fish or crustaceans are quite suitable for food. A migrating pod of killer whales may rely on large mammals such as seals and sea lions. They fully justify their nickname – “killer whales”.
These are representatives of the order of cephalopods. Octopuses have an excellent sense of smell, vision and touch, but they do not hear very well. Octopuses are agile animals that use their tentacles to capture prey and immobilize it with paralyzing poison. Their prey most often are crabs and lobsters: with the help of their tools, they split their shells and reach the body of the victim. Octopus venom is also dangerous for humans, causing problems with speech, breathing and swallowing. If help does not arrive in time, this can lead to death.
Photo: Neptune Canada
Octopuses are quite cunning creatures: when an enemy attacks, they seem to throw away their tentacles. The folded organ wriggles desperately, and the predator focuses directly on it. At this time, the octopus crawls away safely.
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The animals that inhabit our planet are rich and diverse. The most dangerous predators have always aroused great human interest. Firstly, it’s scary, and secondly, we are designed in such a way that we want to know who is the strongest, bravest, most beautiful, scary, etc. And it doesn’t matter who we’re talking about - ourselves or our brothers our smaller ones (or larger ones). Today, experts do not have a consensus on which animals are the most planetary. Probably, once upon a time these were dinosaurs, but today different species deserve this title. These are both amphibians and marine inhabitants. In this article we will present you the Top 10 most dangerous predators in the world.
Polar bear
First in our rating we will present the northern giant, the largest land predator. This is a polar or polar bear. Its weight reaches eight hundred kilograms, and its body length is three meters. Scientists note that this animal is high level intelligence, which easily navigates the vast icy expanses.
This bear hunts all year round. This is explained by the fact that, unlike its brown counterparts, it does not hibernate. These also feed on small animals. As a rule, the most dangerous predators in the world also attack people. Polar bear is no exception, but an attack usually follows only when the animal feels aggression from a person or his fear.
Tiger
This amazingly beautiful cat naturally lives in our country on Far East, as well as in China, Iran, Afghanistan, India. When people are asked: “What is the most dangerous predator in the world?”, most of them name the tiger.
Among cats, this is truly one of the most dangerous and largest animals. Its weight reaches seven hundred kilograms or more. In search of prey, these predators are able to cover vast distances, not only during the day, but also at night. In a day, if the hunt is successful, a tiger eats up to ten kilograms of meat.
His hunting is based on the factor of surprise. Without making a single sound, the striped beauties jump out of ambush and attack their prey. In an instant, they gnaw through the animal's vertebrae. Tigers can become man-eaters when they lack food. Nowadays, the population of these felines around the world has decreased significantly.
Wolf
But these animals are widespread in our latitudes. They are the most dangerous predators in the world, living in the forest. Wolves usually hunt in packs. This makes them even more dangerous as the victim has to fight multiple powerful killers. Several young and strong wolves immediately begin to pursue their prey. The dominant male “leads” the chase. There is always a dominant female nearby. As soon as the victim accidentally trips and falls, a hungry, ferocious pack pounces on him. Their sharp fangs tear the flesh in an instant, leaving the animal not a single chance of salvation.
Crocodile
The wild world is amazing and unpredictable. The most dangerous predators often remain virtually invisible until the attack. This primarily concerns the crocodile. It merges with the water surface and watches its potential victim. Having chosen the right moment, the monster makes a throw and attacks.
The main weapons of crocodiles are powerful jaws and sharp teeth, which allow the predator to hunt many large animals. For example, a Nile crocodile is capable of killing a zebra or even a buffalo. The predator waits for animals that are going to ambush him for a watering hole. He grabs them with his “iron” teeth and pulls them under water. There he begins to quickly rotate his head until a piece of flesh ends up in his mouth.
Komodo dragon
When you look at the photo below, it’s hard to believe that this is a lizard. The length of this reptile reaches three meters, and its weight often exceeds one hundred and fifty kilograms. This is a fast and strong animal, capable of killing its prey, which is twice its size.
Victory in battle is ensured thanks to its poisonous bite. For this reason, the animal miraculously escaped from the grasp of the predator through a short time still dies. Usually the monitor lizard waits in ambush for prey. But if necessary, this one can swim and run. In one sitting, the monitor lizard eats about seventy kilograms of meat.
killer whale
The most dangerous predators in the world lie in wait for humans not only on land, but also in water. The name of this large animal is Killer Whale. It translates from English as “killer whale.” This is truly a very dangerous predator. The killer whale is an unsurpassed master of hunting, which is not surprising given its enormous physical strength.
Of all the predators that live in the water, the killer whale boasts the most varied diet. She feeds on seals and penguins, which she catches underwater. In addition, they catch large fish.
Killer whales are social animals; they live in the backwaters in the company of a dozen relatives. And they go hunting in a group. Some of these predators are so ferocious and aggressive that they sometimes eat other aquatic carnivores.
Brown bear
Found in North America brown bears(grizzly). Local residents, as well as many experts, believe that these are the most dangerous animals on Earth. The ferocious huge beast often stands on its hind legs. His height reaches two meters, with a weight of four hundred kilograms.
The grizzly bear has powerful jaws and paws that can easily kill a person. This type of clubfoot is also dangerous because it is also an excellent swimmer. An encounter between a person and a grizzly bear almost always ends in tragedy.
a lion
Often the most dangerous predators in the world receive very sonorous titles. For example, the lion is called nothing less than the king of beasts. And he lives up to his title. His strength allows him to hunt large animals (wildebeest or buffalo). These predators live in prides, and all family members participate in the hunt. Adult animals play hunting with young ones. The acquired skills will certainly be useful to young individuals in their future adult life.
It is necessary to take into account the impressive size of these animals, their strength and power. All these qualities allow lions to take their rightful place on the list of “The Most Dangerous Predators in the World.”
Panther
This is one of the representatives of leopards. But, unlike them, panthers are melanistic animals, with one even coloration. Black cats are much more aggressive than leopards. They can get quite close to a person because they have no fear of him at all.
The panther is a very graceful and beautiful animal. Its body can reach one hundred and eighty centimeters in length (including a tail of one hundred and ten centimeters), with a mass of just under one hundred kilograms. Under natural conditions it is found in tropical countries, especially common on the island of Java.
Panthers are very dexterous and cunning predators with well-developed sense organs. Color is of great importance in a successful hunt: they cannot be seen in the dark when they go hunting. Moreover, they sneak up silently.
White shark
And yet, what is the most dangerous predator in the world? We said that there is no clear answer to this question, but most experts believe that, compared to all others, the white shark poses the greatest threat to its “neighbors.” Yes, the only people at risk are the person who dares to “visit” the mysterious underwater world. But this does not make the terrible monster any less dangerous.
If this predator has chosen its prey, then not a single living creature has a chance to escape. The streamlined body shape allows the storm of the seas to move quickly, and the incredibly powerful jaws are a real killer weapon. The white shark can perform surprisingly sharp maneuvers, despite its impressive size. In pursuit of the victim, she even jumps out of the water. Many sharp teeth determine the outcome of the hunt. By the way, an interesting fact: even if a shark loses a tooth, it very quickly grows a new one, no less sharp.
Scientists say that over the course of her life, up to fifty thousand teeth change. When hunting, a shark always makes a “test” bite, which should weaken the victim. While the prey loses strength, the predator waits. Only after some time does the shark swim up to the victim again and eat it.
The most dangerous predators in the world: interesting facts
- The male crocodile has a real "harem" - about ten females.
- People arrange fasting days for themselves, and crocodiles have fasting years. A predator may not eat for a whole year.
- Crocodiles swallow stones that remain in the stomach, helping to grind food and normalizing the animal's center of gravity.
- The coat of bears has two layers: the top one - the shorter one - protects from the cold, and the longer one - from water.
- When a bear sees a trap, it often rolls a stone towards it and then eats the bait without risk.
- During hibernation, the bear's pulse slows down five times - from forty to eight beats per minute.
Covering 70% of our planet, the sea is home to some of the most unusual, mysterious and deadly animals on the planet. Since humans are not born or live in the ocean, this makes us easy prey for many of these creatures, although fortunately we are not on their main menu...
As a man who has spent too much time floating on the surface of the sea, he has often tried to get closer and experience what lies below sea level. Fortunately, the statistics are not that scary and it seems to be quite rare for a person to be eaten alive in the open ocean. However, we should not think that the ocean waters are so welcoming to us; we should always be on our guard.
When selecting the most dangerous sea creatures in the world, we will take into account the attack statistics, killing potential and aggression of these animals. This list contains a huge number of species from tropical jellyfish to arctic killers.
10. Sea urchin
Photo. Toxopneustes (lat. Toxopneustes pileolus), sea urchin
Many of you have encountered sea urchins in your life, and some have learned how sharp their spines are and how painful it is to feel them in your skin. However, Toxopneustes pileolus does very well when it comes to defensive tactics. Described by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the most dangerous sea urchin in the world," it's one echinoderm you definitely shouldn't step on.
What makes this sea urchin What makes it so dangerous is the powerful poison it is equipped with. This venom contains at least two dangerous toxins: contractin A, a neurotoxin that causes smooth muscle spasms, and peditoxin, a protein toxin that can cause convulsions, anaphylactic shock and death. The venom is delivered through the pedicellariae, the flower-like structures that give this hedgehog its name. Once skin contact has occurred, pedicellaria often continue to pump venom into the prey. It is obvious that the size of these pedicellariae is directly related to the effectiveness of the venom.
Toxopneustes is responsible for many deaths that have occurred to people over the years. A hedgehog's sting is very painful and can result in paralysis, breathing problems and disorientation, all of which can contribute to a person's drowning. As for the pain, here is an account of a bite recorded by a Japanese marine biologist in the 1930s:
“Then 7 or 8 pedicellariae were tightly embedded in the inner side of the middle finger of my right hand, separated from the stalk, they remained on the skin of my finger. I instantly felt severe pain, reminiscent of the pain caused by cnidoplasts of coelenterates, and I felt as if the toxin was rapidly moving through the blood vessel from the stung area to my heart. After some time I experienced difficulty breathing, mild dizziness, paralysis of the lips, tongue and eyelids, relaxation of the muscles in the limbs, it is unlikely that in this state I could speak or control my facial expression, I felt almost as if I was going to die." .
9. Barracuda
Photo. Great barracuda (lat. Sphyraena barracuda)
The photo above should be enough to understand why the barracuda is on our list. Reaching up to 1.8m (6ft) in length and armed with terrifyingly massive, super-sharp teeth, the torpedo-shaped barracuda is more than capable of causing serious injury to humans. In fact, there are 22 species of barracuda, but only the Greater Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is known to attack humans.
The barracuda's diet consists mainly of small to medium-sized fish. She uses her lightning speed and ambush tactics to catch her. In many reported attacks on people, people were in possession of shiny objects, such as jewelry and even diving knives. Apparently the barracuda is attracted to this and confuses them for a fish and strikes.
Such attacks can result in deep cuts, often leading to nerve and tendon damage or, in worst cases, ruptured blood vessels. These wounds may require hundreds of stitches.
On rare occasions, barracudas have been known to jump out of the water, causing serious injuries to people in the boat. In one recent case in Florida in 2015, a female canoeist was injured and had to really fight for her life after suffering several broken ribs and a punctured lung during a barracuda attack.
If this information still does not convince you that barracuda should be on this list, then there is one more thing. Barracudas have one final argument: their flesh sometimes contains ciguatoxin, which can cause severe symptoms that last for months.
8. Textile cone
Photo. Textile cone
Cones have been a favorite among collectors for centuries for their shells, but don't be fooled by their pretty appearance, these clams are killer! Equipped with tiny harpoons made from modified teeth, these creatures can fire a hollow harpoon filled with deadly neurotoxins in any direction. The harpoon of some large cone species is very large and strong enough to not only pierce human flesh, but also gloves and even a wetsuit.
One drop of cone venom is enough to kill 20 people, making it one of the most poisonous creatures on earth. Known as conotoxin, the venom can only have a very strong effect on certain types of nerves. On the medical side, a cone sting usually causes intense, localized pain with life-threatening symptoms that lasts for several days. On the other hand, from the moment this mollusk stings you, paralysis of the respiratory system and subsequent death can occur very quickly. In fact, one type of cone is very well known as the "cigarette snail" because before you die you won't even have time to smoke a cigarette!
Despite their deadly poison, cones have only been responsible for a few deaths over the years, which is why they come in at just number 8 on our list.
7. Leopard seal
Photo. Leopard seal
The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is actually named after its spotted coat, although this may explain its fierce nature. At the top of the Antarctic food chain, this leopard is one of the largest seals in southern waters. Reaching up to 4 m (13 ft) in length and weighing up to 600 kg (1,320 lb), the leopard seal is a formidable predator. In addition to its size and speed, these seals are also armed with a huge mouth (big enough to fit your head!) lined with large, pointed teeth, making it look more like a reptile than a seal.
The leopard seal's menu includes other species of seal, seabirds, penguins and fish, although they are also known to sift through krill and small crustaceans. These seals usually hunt from ambush, just below the ice level, when the seals or penguins jump into the water, it is at this moment that they pounce on their prey.
Given that the leopard seal is only found in the cold waters of the far southern oceans, they do not often come into contact with humans at all. However, because the leopard seal has already killed people, this makes it very terrible in our eyes.
Back in 1914, during Ernest Shackleton's expedition, a leopard seal had to be shot as it was pursuing crew member Thomas Ord-Lees. The seal first chased Ord Fox on the ice, then dived under the ice cover and watched him from below. After the leopard seal jumped out in front of Ord Fox, another member of the team managed to kill it.
In 2003, a British scientist was less fortunate. Kirsty Brown, a 28-year-old marine biologist working with the British Antarctic Survey, was snorkeling off the Antarctic Peninsula when she was attacked by a large leopard seal. The seal dragged the woman deep underwater, where she suffocated.
While there are many stories of leopard seals harassing people in boats, this incident is the first reported fatality.
6. Wart
Photo. Wart
This grumpy-looking fellow doesn't seem too happy to be the most poisonous fish on the planet. Armed with 13 needle-like sharp spines running along its back, the stone fish blends in perfectly with the surrounding background, it simply waits for an unfortunate person to step on it. Another feature of the wart that is always worth mentioning is that it can survive outside the sea for up to 24 hours. It is really very difficult to notice on the seabed. The neurotoxic venom of warts is not only dangerous, but also incredibly painful. In fact, the fish's sting is reportedly so painful that victims have asked for their limbs to be cut off. The quote below clearly shows how painful it is:
“In Australia I got my finger pricked by a stonefish... not to mention bee venom. ... Imagine every wrist, knuckle, elbow and shoulder being hit with a sledgehammer for about an hour. About an hour later, you were allegedly kicked in both kidneys for about 45 minutes, so much so that you could not stand or straighten up. I was in my early 20s, very fit, and still have a small scar. My finger remained painful for the next few days, but I also had periodic pain in my kidneys for several years after that.”
Video. How dangerous is a wart?
For obvious reasons, many people have gotten a wart shot in the leg. Although such cases may simply redefine pain, such cases have nevertheless led to a lot of trouble. Such venom injections are potentially fatal, causing respiratory paralysis and possibly heart failure. In serious cases, immediate medical attention is required and the victim must be treated with an antidote. In fact, it is the second most commonly administered antivenom in Australia and has resulted in no one dying from a wart injection there for almost 100 years.
5. Blue-ringed octopus
Photo. Blue-ringed octopus
Instantly recognizable by their iridescent blue rings, these small octopuses spend much of their time hiding in cracks or camouflaging themselves in the coral reefs of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
It is only when they feel threatened that blue-ringed octopuses truly live up to their name and show their true colors. At that moment, his skin turns bright yellow, and his blue rings become even brighter, almost shimmering. This beautiful display can also be a warning as it is one of the most dangerous animals in the ocean.
What makes this octopus especially dangerous is its venom. Not all octopuses have venom, but the blue-ringed octopus is in the big league. Known as TDT (tetrodotoxin), it is an incredibly potent neurotoxin, the same one found in dart frogs and wart frogs. It is approximately 1200 times stronger than cyanide, and one small injection can be enough to kill. In fact, many victims claim they didn't even feel the sting.
The average sample, weighing about 30 grams, reportedly contains enough poison to kill more than 10 adults.
Video. Why is the blue-ringed octopus dangerous?
There is no effective antidote for blue-ringed octopus venom; its neurotoxin is designed to paralyze the victim. Its effect is similar to medical curare, which is used to immobilize patients during surgery; under its influence, a person is unable to speak or move. The main danger is that it paralyzes the lungs, causing the victim to suffocate. In severe cases, prompt treatment is essential and this involves placing the victim on life support until the effects of the poison wear off and breathing is restored.
4. Box jellyfish
Photo. sea wasp
There are many species of box jellyfish, which get their name from their cuboid bodies. Many box jellyfish are especially poisonous, like the large sea wasp (lat. Chironex fleckeri), which has the most powerful poison. Found along the northern coasts of Australia and tropical Southeast Asia, the sea wasp is often regarded as the "world's deadliest jellyfish", having killed more than 60 people in Australia alone. The death toll appears to be significantly higher in other regions of the world, especially where antivenom is not readily available.
The venom of the sea wasp is second in strength among all creatures on Earth, more poisonous only at the geographic cone. Calculations show that each animal contains enough poison to kill 60 adult humans and very few animals can kill so quickly. In extreme cases, death occurs from cardiac arrest, which is known to occur in less than five minutes after the person has been stung. The bite itself causes excruciating pain along with a burning sensation that is similar to the touch of a hot iron. The good news is that, contrary to popular belief, urinating on the bite site will not cause any noticeable effect! In most cases, the tentacles remain on the victim's body and they can continue to sting even after you have left the sea, often resulting in scarring.
Video. Box jellyfish - Sea wasp
But there are also tiny jellyfish, irukandji. They are widespread and this small jellyfish has a strong venom that can lead to Irukandji syndrome, which gradually appears after the bite itself. It is also reported that the bite of the Irukandji is potentially fatal, as well as incredibly painful. One of the victims said that it was even worse than childbirth and more intense.
3. Sea snakes
Photo. Sea snake
There are many species of sea snakes, which are mainly found in the tropical waters of Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are thought to have evolved from land snakes in Australia and adapted to life in shallow coastal waters by developing a huge left lung and elongation. They are closely related to land-dwelling cobras and kraits, which is a bit surprising since many sea snakes are highly venomous. What's actually surprising is that their venom is much stronger than that of their land-based relatives. The reason for this venomous nature is that they eat fish and this means that they must immobilize their prey as quickly as possible to prevent it from escaping and preventing themselves from being injured.
Apparently, most of you have heard that despite their deadly venom, sea snakes are harmless because they have tiny mouths. This is complete nonsense! True sea snakes have small fangs and do not have huge mouths, but they are capable of swallowing fish whole and can easily bite a person, even through a wetsuit.
There are actually two reasons why sea snakes are considered much less dangerous than land snakes: first, they tend to be shy and much less aggressive. In addition, they tend to perform a “dry” bite, i.e. no poison is injected. It is very unlikely that a person can be injected with poison and the good news is that there are certain antidotes.
Of all the species of sea snakes, there are two species that deserve mention. The big-nosed enhydrina (lat. Enhydrina schistosa) is one of the most poisonous snakes on earth. Its venom is almost 8 times stronger than that of a cobra, one drop is enough to kill three people. It is also considered more aggressive than most other sea snakes. The venom of the Nose Enhydrina contains both neurotoxins and myotoxins, while the former will kill you thanks to respiratory paralysis, the latter will begin to break down your muscles, causing excruciating pain.
Despite these signs, there have been a few known deaths involving this snake, which is more common in deeper waters. Most of the bites were caught by fishermen while checking their nets.
The second sea snake that is worthy of mention is the Belcher's sea snake (lat. Hydrophis belcheri), only because it is often mentioned as the snake with the most powerful venom. It is often claimed that its venom is 100 times stronger than even that of the inland taipan. This is a bit of an exaggeration, but the poison is certainly like that of the taipan. The good news is that the Belcher's sea snake is often described as having a "friendly" nature!
2. Saltwater crocodile
Photo. Saltwater crocodile
The saltwater or saltwater crocodile is no stranger to the pages of “In the Jaws of Animals.” This animal is deadly on both land and water, and this crocodile is the largest reptile to survive to us since the time of the dinosaurs. The largest specimens that have been recorded and described were about 7 meters (25 ft) long and weighed about 2 tons, although in the 1950s one crocodile reached a length of 8.5 meters (30 ft) and was allegedly caught around city of Darwin in Australia.
Along with its size it also has incredible strength, the saltwater crocodile has the most powerful bite on Earth, 10 times stronger than a great white shark. They are also fast swimmers in water, reaching speeds of 27 km/h (18 mph). They're not that fast on land, but urban legends tell us they're capable of explosive action, supposedly faster than you can react.
Although most people associate the saltwater crocodile with Australia, it is widespread and causes more havoc in its other habitats. Saltwater crocodile can be found throughout Southeast Asia and even as far west as India. These crocodiles are also known to be able to swim long distances alone and have been seen as far away as Fiji and New Caledonia.
In Australia, there are an average of two fatal saltwater crocodile attacks per year. In other places, the number of attacks is difficult to estimate, but research suggests there are many more, up to 30 per year.
Perhaps the most notorious attack by saltwater crocodiles occurred on Ramree Island (Myanmar) during World War II. After a fierce battle, the Japanese soldiers refused to surrender and retreated into a crocodile-infested swamp, which was surrounded by British marines. An estimated 400 Japanese soldiers were reportedly killed by crocodiles that night. Witness Bruce Stanley Wright wrote about the events of that night:
Video. Crocodile massacre. Crocodile attacks on Ramri Island
“Scattered rifle shots in the black darkness of the swamp were interrupted by the cries of wounded men being eaten by the jaws of huge reptiles, and the blurred, alarming sound of spinning crocodiles was like a sound from hell, which is rarely heard on earth...
Of about a thousand Japanese soldiers who entered the Ramree swamps, only about twenty were found alive."
1. Sharks
Photo. Great white shark
Not too many surprises here, right? As predators, sharks are the apex predators of the ocean, and are very well equipped to inflict serious injury: with large, fast and powerful jaws, armed with multiple rows of razor-sharp teeth, these fish are polished killing machines. However, despite the existence of about 400 species, it is possible to select only a few that pose any real danger to humans. We have already described in another article, but we still believe that it is worth choosing only four of them.
On the one hand, the great white shark is the most capable killer of all living sharks. Reaching a length of almost 8 meters (25 feet) and weighing 3 tons, great white sharks earned their name during their lifetime. Their favorite tactic is to swim under their prey and then, at top speed (55 km/h, 35 mph), with their mouth open, rise up to sink their teeth into the unsuspecting prey.
Statistics provide some support for the great white shark's status as a deadly ocean creature, with approximately 20% of the approximately 400 reported unprovoked attacks being fatal. However, when you take a closer look at some other species of sharks, you can understand that great white sharks are not as dangerous to humans as compared to other species.
The bull shark has slightly more high performance killings, about 25%, and it is believed that many attacks were either misattributed or not recorded. The bull shark's trump card is its ability to survive in fresh water. These sharks have been found all over the world thousands of miles from the ocean in estuaries where no one would expect to see them. They have even been found in lakes that only have seasonal access to the sea.
Additionally, bull sharks, like tiger sharks, are much less picky about what they eat. While most great white shark attacks appear to involve misidentification of their prey, bull sharks deliberately attack humans.
Another species of shark worth mentioning is the longtip shark. Although statistics do not indicate their danger, legendary naturalist Jacques Cousteau described them as “the most dangerous of all sharks.” These sharks are blamed for hundreds of deaths in air and sea disasters. The most famous cases date back to the Second World War, when the ships Nova Scotia sank off the coast of South Africa and Indianapolis in the Philippines. Although there are no exact figures, the estimated death toll from shark attacks between the two disasters is around 1,000.
Marine animals are very diverse. These include both huge giant whales and microscopic plankton. Captures the diversity of the inhabitants of the deep sea.
Photos of whales
The largest animals in the sea are whales. However, not only at sea, but also on land, whales have no equal in size.
In total, there are about 130 species of whales left on Earth, and approximately 40 extinct species of whales are known. Depending on the species, the length of whales ranges from 2 to 25 meters. The world's largest species is the blue whale.
Whales live in all oceans and almost all seas of our planet. In northern waters, whales thrive thanks to a thick layer of blubber.
Most whales feed on small fish and plankton. But there is more predatory species whales that hunt large animals is the killer whale. This is one of the most beautiful whales.
Although killer whales are similar in appearance to dolphins, they are very different from them. The most noticeable distinguishing feature of killer whales is their contrasting black and white coloration.
Killer whales hunt for everything they can catch and are quite voracious. If killer whales lead a sedentary lifestyle, they feed on fish and small sea animals. Migrating killer whales can even attack sperm whales. There are known cases of killer whales attacking a herd of elk crossing a pond.
Photos of sharks
Another type of large marine predator is sharks. These are mainly large predatory fish, which have remained virtually unchanged for billions of years. appearance in the process of evolution.
Like whales, sharks live in almost all oceans and seas. There are sharks that feed on fish, but there is also a species that feeds on plankton - the whale shark.
Photo of moray eel
Another genus of sea predatory fish- moray eels. They live in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Mediterranean and Red Seas.
Moray eels can be confused with snakes; they are very similar in appearance. But the appearance of moray eels is very disgusting, although there are terrible lovers of these fish.
In ancient European mythology, the moray eel became the prototype of huge sea monsters. Some ancients believed that moray eels are juvenile sea monsters; when they grow up, they swim far into the ocean.
Photos of dolphins
Probably the most beloved sea animals by people are dolphins. There are also many types of them in different sizes. Dolphins accompany various ships and bring joy to people with their jumps from the water.
Dolphins are mammals, not fish.
The life of dolphins in captivity is halved, but in the wild they live up to 50 years. Probably melancholy and despondency in captivity oppresses them.
Dolphins love to communicate with people; they are kind and social animals by nature. but these sea animals are tactful and never impose themselves.
Photos of seals
Seals live in the northern seas and oceans. These are carnivorous pinnipeds that establish colonies on coastal rocks. Such places serve as a refuge for them from predators.
Their main food is fish, but they do not mind eating shrimp or other crustaceans and mollusks.
See.
One of the most voracious seals is the leopard seal.
This species of seal got its name because of the unique shape of the male’s nose and because of its enormous size. Males of this species can reach six meters in length and weigh more than four tons.
Another large species of seal lives in the north of Russia - the bearded seal. The largest sea hares weigh 360 kg.
But despite its size, the bearded seal can become prey for a polar bear.
Photo of a walrus
Other pinnipeds that inhabit the seas are walruses. They have powerful tusks.
Only males have tusks. They use them as weapons during fights for females during the mating season.
Walruses can fend for themselves, as they are very large animals. But killer whales and polar bears are a threat to them.
Let's finish with pinnipeds and move on to mollusks.
Octopus photo
“Eight legs” - that’s what this sea creature was called in ancient Greece. And the octopus lives up to its name.
Octopuses inhabit tropical and subtropical seas. In total there are more than 200 species.
Octopuses are able to change their color to camouflage themselves from other predators and use camouflage to wait for their prey. They can even take on the appearance of a predator and copy its behavior.
Photo of cuttlefish
The cuttlefish, like the octopus, is a cephalopod.
The cuttlefish has a beak-like mouth. It's hard to see behind the tentacles in the photo, but believe me, it can bite through a crab's shell.
Like octopuses, cuttlefish can change color and blend into an area in order to hide from an enemy or lie in ambush.
In total, approximately 30 species of cuttlefish are known. The smallest species measures 1.5-1.8 centimeters.
Photo of squid
Squids are another cephalopod. Squids inhabit all seas and oceans, including the northern ones. Northern species of squid are somewhat smaller and are often colorless. Other species also rarely have bright colors.
It is unknown how many species of squid live on our planet. Many species live at great depths, which makes them difficult to study.
Typically, the size of squid is 25 - 50 cm. But there is a unique species - the giant squid, its size can reach 18 meters. Some deep-sea species of squid are able to glow, so they attract prey to pitch darkness sea depths.
Many types of squid have wing fins on their sides. These organs act as a balancer when swimming, and using them the squid can accelerate and jump out of the water to escape a predator.
Photos of crabs
From cephalopods we move on to crabs. These are representatives of the class Crustaceans.
These marine animals have five pairs of paws, one of which has evolved into claws. A crab can lose a claw in a fight, but it then grows back, like the tail of a lizard.
There are many types of crabs and they are very diverse in size and color. Different species feed completely differently; the diet may consist of algae, crustaceans, small fish or mollusks.
Lobster photo
Large crustaceans live in the oceans and seas: lobsters and lobsters. Lobsters are similar to regular crayfish, only they have larger claws.
Basically, the color of different types of lobsters is very simple, camouflage. This is caused by the presence of a large number of enemies in these animals. But sometimes there are mutant individuals with an unusual color.
This is a blue lobster, a very rare specimen. One in two million lobsters has this color. Yellow, red, white or two-color lobsters are even more rare.
Photos of lobsters
Another large crustacean is lobsters. These crustaceans prefer warm waters, unlike lobsters, which are also found in cold waters.
Lobsters do not live at depths greater than 200 meters. They try to settle in places where they can find refuge. Many predators do not mind eating lobster.
Lobsters are loners. Lobsters spend their entire lives, except for the breeding season, in solitude, without communicating with members of their genus.
Marine animals also include seabirds. For example, penguins are unique seabirds that live in the Southern Hemisphere.
Penguins live not only in Antarctica. There are large colonies of these birds in southern Australia and South America.
There are 18 known species of penguins. They are different in size, there are some differences in color. but the main color is contrasting black and white.
