7 Things in Australia That Will Kill You and How to Survive Them
Australia is a beautiful country that a lot of people dream of visiting. With unique wildlife, famous landmarks and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia is full of stunning surprises. If you recently moved here, you’re probably already loving it. Unfortunately, Australia is also home to some terrifying creatures and harsh conditions. It’s not all koala bears and perfect weather! Here’s a list of the most deadly things down under and how you can live to tell your story to your friends and family back home.
- Saltwater Crocodiles
Crocodiles are already scary, but imagine one that’s bigger and lives in the ocean. No thanks! These monstrous beasts can reach up to 20 feet long and 4,4000 pounds. And while they have terrifying jaws, their preferred method of murdering their prey is by drowning them. Plus, they don’t even have predators to keep them at bay, so these guys are just thriving in the water. This is just one reason to watch where you swim in the Northern Territory.
- Great White Sharks
You never want to be face to face–or jaws to feet–with one of these bad boys. These sea creatures are majestic, awe-inspiring, and horrifying all in one. Their jaws contain 222 teeth that will easily tear up anything they want. While they don’t usually hunt humans, if they’re hungry enough you might just be on the menu for dinner.
- Stonefish
If you saw one of these in the ocean, you’d probably think it was a rock. These aptly-named fish look harmless, but this is Australia we’re talking about. Stonefish are covered in poisonous needles that endanger unfortunate swimmers. These guys usually chill out on rocks so you can barely see them. Watch where your feet are whenever you’re in the water. If you accidentally step on one, make sure you get to shore quickly and seek medical attention!
- Spiders
Australia is where over 500 species of spiders call home. A lot of these creepy crawlies are venomous and won’t hesitate to bite you, especially if you provoke them. That’s right–don’t even think about calling them fat or ugly. One of the most deadly ones to watch out for is the Sydney funnel web spider. These guys actually create their webs on the ground so you might accidentally step on them and get bitten. They have giant, venomous fangs that pack a lethal punch. Make sure you treat any bite promptly. Say hello to nightmares!
- Kangaroos
Most people think kangaroos are pretty cute, but think twice before getting near one. When you actually encounter one, you’ll notice that they are tall and built of pure muscle. They can reach up to 40 miles per hour, meaning you can’t simply outrun one of them. When not hopping around looking cute for a documentary, these cuddly killers might just decide to beat you up. Don’t approach one thinking you’ll get to pet him or take a cool picture. Please, no selfies with the kangaroos.
- Snakes
You’ll be quoting Indiana Jones a lot in Australia. “Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?” As you’d probably guess, Australia is home to several deadly slithery creatures. Eastern Brown snakes are extremely venomous and hang out along the north and east coasts, particularly in suburban homes and barns. Indian Taipan snakes are also super deadly with an ungodly toxic venom. However, most snakes aren’t out looking for trouble, so as long as you stay away from them and don’t provoke them, you should be good–but it’s Australia we’re talking about, so you never really know.
- The Sun
You might be thinking, “But the sun is everywhere!” Well, there’s something otherworldly about the sun in Australia. It gets ridiculously hot. Say hello to 122 degrees fahrenheit (50 degrees celsius). If you’re not hydrated or protected from the sun, you could easily get heat stroke. Make sure you use plenty of sunblock and wear a big sun hat. Although that probably won’t protect you from any deadly spiders who are basking in the sun and getting a nice tan.
Hopefully this list doesn’t give you too many nightmares or make you afraid to step foot outside. Maybe don’t share this list with your family back home, unless you want them to be worried sick about you! Plus, you can always use Ria Money Transfer when you’re sending money to family to let them know you’re safe and you’re thinking about them.
