Why Can't We Be Friends? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Black mamba

The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) regularly grow up to ten feet long and sometimes as much as 14 feet! And over short distances, it can get up to ten miles per hour.

While it is not the most venomous snake in existence, its unpredictability and skittishness, coupled with a rapid, multi-bite attack, makes for a very dangerous animal. Black mambas don't like people even getting within 130 feet before becoming restless and wary, but they are most dangerous when in their threat display.

Answer: Golden poison dart frog

The golden poison frog (Phyllobates terribilis) is so named from the indigenous Emberá people of Colombia that used its toxins for their projectile blowdarts for centuries. They are not large - only one to two inches in size - but the poison from just one of these frogs is enough to kill ten adult men.

Scientists are unsure of how these frogs develop their toxicity, as frogs raised in captivity don't develop any venom.

Answer: Cape buffalo

The Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) is found in South and East Africa, and can grow to six feet and over 1,700 pounds. Like most herd animals, the male of the species is protective of its cows and calves, but the Cape buffalo is more aggressive than most.

When injured or threatened, they are at their most dangerous, and are known for mobbing behaviour to fend off threats. Just imagine a herd of these enormous, angry creatures thundering down on you!

Answer: Deathstalker scorpion

The deathstalker scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus) is small and yellow, typically about two and a half inches in length. It has a wide range and can be found in Central Africa and the Sahara east through the Arabian peninsula and further, including as far as Western India.

These nocturnal creatures like to hide under rocks and debris and in animal burrows and ambush their prey (typically insects, spiders, earthworms, centipedes and sometimes other scorpions). If you are unlucky enough to get stung, their venom can cause cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction.

Answer: Saltwater crocodile

Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) like coastal brackish mangrove swamps and river deltas and can be found throughout southeast Asia and as far east as coastal India and south to the northern shores of Australia.

Despite being named 'saltwater' crocodiles, they are happy in both salt and fresh water, and they are apex predators in their domains. One story from the Second World War had hundreds of Japanese soldiers disappear when they were forced to retreat through the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island near Burma.

Answer: Sea wasp

The sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri), also known as the Australian box jellyfish, is found in the coastal waters of Australia and New Guinea and throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are not only extremely venomous, they are also very difficult to see, being pale blue and translucent.

Its cube-like, bell-shaped head has clusters of up to 15 tentacles at each corner, reaching up to ten feet in length.

Answer: Brazilian wandering spider

The Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria fera) is a moderately large spider with the body about two inches long and leg span of about six inches. They are called 'wandering' spiders because they do not build webs, but rather roam the jungle looking for their prey.

Not only does the venom of the Brazilian wandering spider cause intense pain and possible medical complications, another very interesting side effect of the spider's bite is that in human males it can cause an erection, which can last a long time, but is extremely painful. Definitely a creature to avoid.

Answer: Komodo dragon

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) can be found not just on the Indonesian island of Komodo, but also on Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang.

You don't want to invade a Komodo dragon's territory, as you will likely be considered prey. They will hunt pigs or deer, in addition to smaller prey, and are capable of bursts of speed up to 12 miles per hour from their ambush location.

Answer: Mosquito

There are about 3,500 species of mosquito and a large number of these are capable of carrying and passing on diseases (without suffering from those diseases themselves), such as those listed in the question.

Except for living in cold climates, it is nearly impossible to avoid mosquitoes in your lifetime. Your best defense is to wear long sleeves and pants, and use an insect repellent. And since mosquitoes breed in areas of standing stagnant water, ensure you don't have any of those on your property.

Answer: Inland taipan

The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is one of the most dangerous of Australia's many dangerous creatures. It can be found in semi-arid areas of central and eastern Australia, and is, thankfully, usually shy and of a good temperament. When threatened, however, it will defend itself and strike. And with the venom of one bite capable of killing 100 adult men, you certainly don't want to be on the receiving end.