The World's Most Dangerous Animals. Kevin Baker Baker

the cobra (which has the hood) and the rattle snake (with the rattle at the tip of its tail), carpet vipers also have their own unique way of scaring away potential attackers. They curl their bodies into ‘C’ shaped coils, and then rub their scales together. Since the bodies have their serrated scales, the noise produced is unique and striking, similar to the sound you get when pouring water onto a hot plate. Earlier on, scientists believed that this was done so that the snake could conserve water by not hissing, however it was observed that some of the snakes continue to hiss even when displaying this behaviour.

      One other thing that makes the carpet viper stand out is the fact that it seems to be a bit more temperamental than most other snakes. It is quick to attack, although some believe that this stems from the fact that it attacks from the C-shaped warning position it takes,

      The venom is rather inconsistent between species. Depending on the specific species, the lethal dose for prey or even a human may vary significantly. What makes this stranger is the fact that production of toxins by this particular snake also varies widely, with some species yielding only 6 mg and the others hitting 56 mg. Apparently, the seasons also have a huge effect on the amount of venom that the snake is able to produce, and it has been noted that female carpet vipers are more venomous as compared to their male counterparts.

      When travelling in a country that is known to have carpet vipers, be sure to have your ears prepped for that loud noise that they make, because this sound maybe the only warning before a carpet viper strikes.

      16 – Blue-Ringed Octopus

      Greater blue-ringed octopus in Indonesia. Image author: Jens Petersen.

      The blue-ringed octopus can be seen around reef areas and tide pools in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Although this octopus can be mostly seen around the coasts of Australia. They are somewhat small in size for an octopus, as they grow to only between 12 to 20 centimetres long.

      When threatened the blue-ringed octopus displays a beautiful array of colours, such as their signature light blue and black rings that pulsate on a dark brown background. Although these colours are amazing, they are also a warning sign that the octopus feels threatened.

      The salivary glands of this octopus have a colony of bacteria that is responsible for the production of tetrodotoxin, which is a very powerful neurotoxin which can be found in other animals such as the infamous puffer fish. Usually, people who have been attacked by this animal have thought that it was harmless and either touched it or got too close, as to humans it looks pretty and non-threatening. However, a blue-ringed octopus bite can kill a healthy adult in just a few minutes. Survival is nearly impossible unless you get treatment immediately after the attack, within a few minutes, which in itself is highly unlikely because as you would probably be in the ocean when it happens. After being bitten by this octopus, extreme or full body paralysis with set in. Envenomated victims can survive if given CPR once they go into a paralytic state and taken straight to hospital. However, there is as yet no antivenin and a victim would have to survive potential heart failure, nausea, respiratory problems and maybe even blindness for at least 24 hours before being in the clear to survive.

      There are a few species of this octopus and some have more rings than others. This is the one thing that really sets them apart. They are all about the same size and weight and they are all lethal. Their primary diet is made up of shrimps, crabs and small fish that get injured and are easy prey for this creature. This is not a fast moving hunter so usually they need their prey to be completely still and unable to defend itself in order to eat it.

      Female blue-ringed octopuses die after they reproduce, lay and guard their eggs. Although the female lives long enough to guard her eggs, she doesn’t even move to feed during the egg protection stage and she dies after about six months due to the lack of nutrition. This shows just how much some creatures are willing to sacrifice themselves for their offspring.

      The good news is that the blue-ringed octopus will do everything in its power to avoid a confrontation with a human being, unless it is touched or feels threatened by the close proximity of a curious swimmer, snorkeler or diver.