South China's Most Dangerous Animals

01 APR  2024

Credit: Google Images

Credit: Google Images

Chinese Bird Spider

A hyper aggressive species of Old-World tarantula, the Chinese bird spider captures its prey by emerging unexpectedly from dirt burrows to attack and poison its victims. Despite its name, the spider predominantly preys on insects and small rodents, which are dispatched quickly by the species’ strong venom.

Credit: Google Images

Chinese Cobra

If bitten, you could expect a darkening of the bite wound, swelling, pain, blisters and necrosis, as well as slightly more minor (but also shitty) issues such as a sore throat, fever and lockjaw. Ultimately, a bite from a Chinese cobra could prove fatal.

Credit: Google Images

Chinese Red Head Centipede

If this large and aggressive species of centipede cozies up to your skin, prepare for extreme pain, severe swelling, fever and general weakness, according Dr. Robert Norris, professor of surgery and emergency medicine at the Stanford University Medical Center.

Credit: Google Images

Mosquito

Although more annoying than threatening, mosquitos have the potential to cause you a great deal of pain (and we aren’t talking about the itchy discomfort you experience after one jabs you with its needle-like sucker).

Credit: Google Images

Chinese Crocodile Lizard

The Chinese crocodile lizard is a large, brightly colored lizard that can grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) in length. While not venomous, they have a powerful bite and can inflict serious injuries. They are also known to release a noxious odor from their tail glands when threatened.

Credit: Google Images

Many-Banded Krait

A highly venomous snake species, the many-banded krait can be found across South China: Anhui, Hainan, Sichuan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Yunnan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhujiang, Fujian, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In Southeast Asia, the species can be found in Myanmar, North Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.

Credit: Google Images

Chinese Green Tree Viper

The Chinese tree viper, sometimes also referred to as a bamboo viper or a Stejneger's pit viper, is among the world’s most venomous species of snakes and is native to Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian and Zhejiang in China, as well as Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

Credit: Google Images

It's important to remember that these are just examples, and there are other wild animals in South China that can be dangerous if not treated with respect. When exploring wilderness areas, it's always best to be aware of your surroundings and avoid contact with wild animals.