The World's Dangerous Animal In Turkey

THE WORLD'S DANGEROUS ANIMAL  IN Turkey

116.

Snakes

There are around 45 species of snakes in Turkey, and of these around 10 are poisonous. The most common venomous snake is the black viper. However, unless you’re planning to take up a career as a farmhand while in Turkey you will be safe. Snakes are very rarely seen in tourist areas. It may also comfort you to know that between 1995 and 2004 (the latest period for which we could find data), while 550 people visited to clinics or hospitals due to snake bites, there were no deaths. Most snake bites were contracted in Marmara, Central Anatolia and Turkey’s Black Sea region. If you do get bitten by a snake please seek medical assistance. Try and get a look at the snake so you can describe it to your doctor.

117.

Spiders

A few venomous spiders call Turkey home, including the brown recluse spider, the black widow, the hunter spider and the yellow sac spider. While you might see the odd spider in your home, the chances of it being one of the spiders mentioned above is very, very rare. Not only are these spiders mostly found along Turkey’s southeastern coastline, eastern border and far inland, they are extremely shy creatures who will take pains to avoid dangerous humans. Furthermore, even if one of these spiders did bite you it’s very unlikely that you’d experience anything greater than pain and some swelling. It’s impossible to find any mention of spider deaths in Turkey, which should reassure most arachnophobes. If you get bitten by any spider, treat the bite area with a cold compress and take a painkiller if it starts to smart. If after 24 hours the area is still swollen or looks any worse, see a doctor immediately.

118.

Scorpions

This feared creature is reasonably common in Turkey and there are around 15 species, the most common of which are those from the buthidae family. Scorpions are so very shy that it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll ever encounter one in Turkey’s tourist areas. While a 2005 study found that during that year there were 24,241 scorpion sting cases throughout Turkey, 80% of these occurred in Southeastern Anatolia - far, far away from the nearest tourist region, and there were no recorded deaths. Scorpion bites can be painful, but rarely fatal outside of the sick or very young. If you are stung by a scorpion use a cold compress to assuage the swelling and see your doctor, just in case. Try to get a look at the scorpion so you can describe it to your doctor.

119.

Centipedes

Turkey’s creepy centipedes live under rocks or in the sand and can grow up to 30 centimetres in length. Centipedes dole out around 5000 bites each year in Turkey, mostly to people working and living in rural areas.

However, there’s only been one recorded fatality as a result. Most bites are completely harmless, causing only a small rash and a bit of swelling. If you get bitten by a centipede, wash the area thoroughly and apply a cold compress.

Take a painkiller if it starts to hurt. If the bite area becomes itchy, apply hydrocortisone cream. See your doctor if you think you might be developing an infection.

120.

Mosquitoes

Malarial mosquitos are not found in Turkey’s tourist regions, but in the extremely unlikely event that you travel to southeastern rural Anatolia (Turkey’s eastern borders) you will need to take malarial medication between May and October. 

Malaria is a disease that can kill if left untreated. Symptoms appear up to three weeks after a mosquito bite and include shivering, fever and sweating. See a doctor immediately if you think you have malaria - but again, there is no risk of malaria if you’re in the populous Aegean and Mediterranean areas.

121.

Jellyfish

Global warming and overfishing has contributed to a rise in the Mediterranean jellyfish population. The two most common types of jellyfish you’ll encounter - the moon jellyfish and the rhizostona pulmo - are not dangerous and are considered less of a threat than an eyesore. Lately, a relative newcomer - the rhopilema nomadic has been spotted in Turkish waters. This species has migrated to the Mediterranean from the Red Sea. Its sting can be painful but is only dangerous to the very young or the infirm. 

The World's Dangerous Animal In North Carolina

THE WORLD'S DANGEROUS ANIMAL  IN

 North Carolina

107.

Alligators

Pushed to the brink of NC eradication in the early 20th century, alligators have slowly made their comeback along the coast. Frequently found in canals, streams, and rivers in the eastern region of the sate, alligators are a silent force to be feared. Reasonably unassuming, alligators can become aggressive and defensive upon approach and are known to attack humans. To an alligator, meat is meat, meaning, your leg could be considered for dinner, or dessert.

108.

Rattlesnakes

The timber rattlesnake, eastern diamond back, and pigmy are the three types of rattlesnake found in North Carolina. All are found throughout the state except for the pigmy which is only found in the southeastern region. The eastern diamondback is the most dangerous rattlesnake in all of North America. All three are not naturally aggressive, but their potent venom plus elusive habitat are good reason to 'look' before stepping. Half of rattlesnake bites occur out of accident, mainly someone stepping on the snake. A rattlesnake will only strike in defense, with the 'young' being said to have more dangerous venom. It is important to keep your eye out for rattlesnakes while hiking in the early-mid spring.

109.

Sharks

Several species of shark are found off the coast of North Carolina. Sharks will sometimes wander into sounds and estuaries, but mainly just to feed or migrate. The coastal waters of North Carolina make up a popular, frequently used migration corridor for several ocean species. Most shark species that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean, will, at some point swim past the North Carolina coast, usually when waters are a bit warm. Of course, shark attacks are nothing new to us, being made especially popular through television and film. The 'terrifying' viewpoint of the shark takes on a dismal reality when the number of shark attacks is still somewhat low, but this does not mean that bites are not reported. The most common species of shark found are blacknose sharks, sand tiger and sandbar sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and the tiger shark...which is the largest and most potentially dangerous.

110.

Copperheads

Copperheads are found throughout the state. This venomous snake prefers its home to be in wooden areas surrounded by rocks or by a stream. A bite from one of these is to be most feared during the summer, as they will take to hiding during the day in sheds, wood piles, debris and stumps. While bites are not typically fatal, they are extremely painful and need immediate medical attention.

111.

Black Bears

Black bears are a tad bit friendlier than say, a brown bear, but they still should not be 'messed' with. Black bears tend to keep to themselves and prefer a large, unihabited wooded landscape. You can find black bears in the mountain region of western NC and the coastal swamplands of eastern, NC. Black bears might stumble upon your camp site, but rarely do they attack without warrant. Typically more of a sight to see than a sight to be feared, black bears are a special, wild treasure to this state.

112.

Cottonmouth or Water Moccassin

North Carolina has a lot of snakes, six of those being venemous, but the cottonmouth is the one to fear the most. The venom is more dangerous than a copperhead and can be fatal. Cottonmouths are found primarily in the eastern region of the state, in swamps, lakes, rivers, and bodies of water. They swim with their heads above water, and are distinguished by a stripe along the side of their head. Commonly mistaken with other water-dweilling snakes, if you see one slithering near you in the water...swim away, and swim FAST!

113.

Southern Black Widow

Black widows are found throughout the state, but more notably in the eastern region. The female spider prefers to create her web in dark corners, tree stumps, woodpiles, and overgrown areas. While not one to just up and 'bite,' accidental bites, such as putting on a shoe where one is hiding, or accidental contact, can lead to a fatal situation. The female hangs upside down from her web. If you see one, there might be likely to be others, or even future black widow babies. Take immediate care of the problem. It is also not uncommon to find them in dark areas such as a garages.

114.

Brown Recluse

Speaking of spiders, you should be way more fearful of the brown recluse. Luckily, they are not too common in the state, but you should still not be careful. Brown recluses make their homes in shoes, old boxes, and in dark corners. They are easily identified by their eye pattern, six eyes in three pairs, and a marking that resembles a fiddle or violin on the top of the spider. If bitten, medical attention must be sought immediately. As one of the only spider species whose venom is considered 'medically significant,' antibiotics and anti-venoms lose their affect as time passes. The poison also causes a necrotic, or dead layer of skin, that can require surgery. It is advised to seek immediate medical attention.

115.

The mysterious ‘black panther’

Pictured above, this photo began to circulate around North Carolina as an actual black panther/cougar sighting throughout the state. Western cougars, known as mountain lions, panthers, and pumas rarely expand their breeding habitats close to North Carolina. Yet, it still doesn't disperse the 'big cat mystery' that has been witnessed, and photographed throughout the state. Eastern cougars once readily inhabitated the state and have made their mark on several landmarks. Throughout the 18th century, due to hunting, persecution, and loss of habitat, the eastern cougar was all but eradicated in North Carolina. 'Sightings,' like pictured above are still reported.

The World's Dangerous Animal In Japan

 

THE WORLD'S DANGEROUS ANIMAL  IN JAPAN

92.

Tanuki

Wild Tanuki on Sensuijima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture. Tanuki are a kind of raccoon dog that can be found throughout most of Japan. Folklore has it that they can shape-change to take on human form, or to disguise themselves as everyday objects. They’re reputed to be mischievous and jolly, though also a bit forgetful, and not very trustworthy. Despite this, most Japanese regard them fondly, and their statues are often placed by the entrances to temples to bring good luck.

This tanuki is living wild in Tokyo’s densely populated Koenji district, so you have a chance of seeing one even if you don’t venture out of the major cities.

93.

Wild Boar

Wild boar occur throughout all of Japan, except for the northern island of Hokkaido. This one is a small subspecies from the Okinawa Islands in Japan’s far south west.

94.

Squirrels

A red squirrel on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. This is the same species of red squirrel found in Europe – it’s range stretches all the way across Asia, but as you can see from the photo, Japan’s ‘red’ squirrels are more grey than red.

A baby red squirrel in Hokkaido

This Siberian flying squirrel was photographed in Higashikawa in Hokkaido. Other species of flying squirrel occur on the Japanese mainland, including the Japanese giant flying squirrel which can glide more than 160 metres between trees. Although they’re quite common, you’ll be lucky to see one as they only come out at night. They spend the day hiding in trees in order to avoid predators.

95.

Bears

Japan’s largest wild animals are bears. This Asian black bear is on Mount Kurai in Gifu Prefecture, but black bears can be found in mountainous areas throughout most of Japan, even around the fringes of Tokyo.

Japan’s other species of bear is the brown bear, found only on the northern island of Hokkaido. This bear was seen crossing the road in Shiretoko, a World Heritage Area in Japan’s far north east.

It may not look it, but this is a baby brown (not black) bear, seen crossing an ordinary road in Hokkaido. Its mother was nowhere to be seen.

 

96.

Wild Cats

The Tsushima leopard cat is found only on Tsushima Island in western Japan. It’s critically endangered, so you’ll be very lucky to spot one in the wild. This is a captive-bred Tsushima cat at Fukuoka Zoo.

The Iriomote cat is another species of wildcat, this time found only on the very remote island of Iriomote, south west of Okinawa. It’s also critically endangered with, less than 250 remaining in the wild. This road sign, warns drivers of the presence of Iriomote cats, but they are nocturnal and rarely seen.

 

97.

Sable

A Japanese sable in Shintoku, Hokkaido. Sables were once found throughout Hokkaido, but now live only in forested areas in the north and east of the island.

98.

Red Fox

A red fox in Hokkaido in winter. Japanese folklore ascribes great wisdom and powerful magic to foxes, in particular the ability to take on human form. Sometimes they are devious, but more often they are faithful friends, or even lovers. If you think someone you meet might be a fox in disguise, you might be able to see their true form by looking either at their reflection in a mirror, or at their shadow. They also often don’t always manage to transform their tails, so keep your eyes out for people sporting big bushy tails.

Another red fox in Hokkaido, this time in the spring

99.

Serow

The Japanese serow is found in dense forest throughout most of Japan. It usually lives alone in or in pairs, and is distantly related to domestic sheep and goats. This serow is crossing a river in Norikura, a mountain plateau in Nagano Prefecture.

 

100.

Marten

Japanese Marten are relatives of the sable, and are found all over Japan, except for the north of Hokkaido and on some of the smaller islands. This one was spotted on Mount Tanzawa, just west of Yokohama.

101.

Deer

The sika deer is native to Japan other parts of east Asia, but it will be familiar to many visitors as it’s been introduced to many other parts of the world, including Europe, the USA and Australia. Since the extinction of its main predator, the wolf, more than a hundred years ago, its numbers have risen sharply, and there are now around a hundred thousand living in the wild. This deer is seen by a river in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko Peninsulaworld heritage area.

While it might not look much like the one in the photo above, this is also a sika deer, but it’s grown a longer and darker coat in preparation for the winter. It was photographed in Hokkaido in the autumn.

In several places in Japan, tame deer wander into urban areas, so they’re one of the easiest of Japan’s native animals to see in the wild. This deer is roaming the streets of Miyajima, a popular tourist destination in Hiroshima Prefecture.

102.

Snow Monkeys

The Japanese Macaque, or Snow Monkey, is native to Japan, and lives further north and in a colder climate than any other primate except for us humans. Here we see a mother and her baby on Mount Arashiyama, with the city of Kyoto in the background.

This monkey is sitting on an information board that explains how to approach wild monkeys. It’s in Jigokudani Yaenkoen, an area of the Joshin-Etsu Kogen National Park that is frequented by wild monkeys. The national park encompasses parts of three prefectures: Gunma, Niigata and Nagano, but Jigokudani Yaenkoen is in Nagano Prefecture.

These monkeys are bathing in an onsen (a natural hot spring) within Jigokudani Yaenkoen. If you can’t make it there in person, you just might be able to see some monkeys bathing using this live webcam.

103.

Weasel

Two kinds of weasel inhabit Japan. The native Japanese weasel is found nationwide, while the closely related Siberian weasel has been introduced, and is now found throughout western Japan. This photo shows a Siberian weasel at a house in Nara Prefecture.

104.

Birds

This is a green pheasant, a bird found only in Japan. In 1947 the Ornithological Society of Japan declared it to be Japan’s national bird, but this designation has never been officially recognised.

Another bird often regarded as Japan’s national bird is the red crowned crane, seen here in Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo. It’s an endangered species, with only about one thousand birds remaining in the wild in Japan, and another two thousand or so in China and Korea.

105.

Giant Hornets

This Japanese Giant Hornet was photographed on a balcony in Tokyo. They are the world’s largest hornets, and can be more than four centimetres long, with a wingspan of over six centimetres. Statistically it’s Japan’s most dangerous wild animal, as around forty people each year die of anaphylactic shock after being stung. But please don’t let this put you off visiting Japan – you’re very unlikely to come across one, and even if you do, they rarely sting unless you do something to annoy them.

106.

Snakes

The most common snake in Japan is the venomous mamushi, whose bite is occasionally fatal. The yamakagashi is also venomous, but it’s more likely to run away or hide when confronted by humans, so it’s not much of a danger. The really dangerous snakes are the highly venomous habu, but thankfully they live only in Japan’s south west islands. The snake seen here is an Okinawa habu. It likes to hide in caves and old tombs, but also enters houses in search of mice and rats. Unlike the yamakagashi, it’s not scared of humans, and may attack with lightning speed if disturbed. If medical treatment is received promptly, the bites aren’t usually life-threatening, but they can still cause permanent injury. Bizarrely, Okinawan habu are hunted for use in making a rice-based spirit called habushu, which is reputed to have medicinal properties. Some manufacturers sell this in bottles with whole intact habu inside!