If you thought that cyanide is harmful and can kill you shortly, think again! Some of the World’s deadliest
- Potency
- Dose Delivered
- Speed of Distribution
Out of the 40,000 species of spiders (most of them venomous), the male Sydney Funnel-web Spider has the fastest-acting venom. Its venom is 60 times as potent as cyanide and can kill a human in 1-2hours. Its venom attacks the nervous system kicking it into overdrive until it shuts down completely.
Australia is home to 20 of the World’s 25 Deadliest Snakes. Among those 20, Eastern Brown Snake is responsible for most of the country’s snakebites. Its venom is 2000 times stronger than cyanide and can kill a human in an hour. Its venom also attacks the nervous system, slowing it down until it stops working. Also, the venom has a coagulant that clots the blood in your veins & arteries.
If you thought wildlife safari is dangerous in Australia, you might want to reconsider diving. Australian waters are home to Blue Ringed Octopus, whose venom is 1000 times stronger than cyanide & can kill a human in just 20-40 minutes. Bacteria in its saliva make an extremely potent neurotoxin that paralyzes your muscles. Once that paralysis reaches your diaphragm & rib muscles, you only have a few minutes to live.
However, the award for the fastest-acting venom goes to the Australian Box Jellyfish or Sea Wasp. It is not the most potent venom out there, but encounter with one of these guys, and you’ll be dead in 15minutes. Why? It is because their tentacles are covered with tiny, venom loaded darts, called Nematocysts. The moment they make contact, these creatures shoot heart-stopping toxins into the body.
All of it sounds pretty scary, right? We get it. But it’s not like these animals are willing to harm you deliberately. All they want is that you be in your own habitat. But still, be smart, be respectful, be safe.