The country of the Philippines is composed of thousands of islands. Every island hides many forests or rainforests with venomous or highly dangerous animals. The country is considered a magnet of foreigners, travelers, and visitors due to its beautiful beaches and tropical climates. Aside from its wonders, the country is also considered a haven of diversities, including dangerous animals.
The Philippines has a mix of wild creatures and is considered dangerous. These creatures are snakes, jellies, spiders, sharks, mosquitos, crocodiles, octopuses, centipedes, stray dogs, scorpions, and some venomous sea creatures. These dangerous creatures inhabit forests and waters, and you better avoid them.
If you would like to visit the Philippines, it is good that you have an idea about these creatures in the country; in that way, you know what you have to avoid and also it will give a glimpse of the animals that live in the Philippines. To learn more about that, I have listed some details below for you to check.
1. Philippine Cobra
The Philippine Cobra is also known as The Philippine Spitting Cobra. This snake is incredibly venomous and is a native of the country’s northern parts. This type of snake is usually seen in Mindoro, Luzon, Catanduanes, Arzia and Masbate. The Philippine Cobra inhabit various areas, including forests, jungle, farmland, and some built-up urban areas. They typically inhabit near the areas of water.
The reason why the Philippine Cobra is venomous is that they have potent neurotoxins. Their venom may cause vomiting, nausea, and a general shutdown of the vital organs of the bitten patients. It can also kill the patient within 30 minutes. The Philippine Cobra was listed as one of the most venomous snakes in the world.
2. Box Jelly Fish
It was estimated that there are about 20 to 4o fatalities around the Malayan Peninsula due to box stings. These box stings may grow up to eight inches across and typically have a translucent glow about them. Due to its translucent features, it makes them hard to distinguish in clear water. It would help if you were cautious when you see this floating because they have poisonous stinger cells that will latch into your skin once you contact it.
The most dangerous box jellies are seen in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines. The venom of these box jellies may attack your nervous system and cause complete heart failure. Some were able to survive, but they have been in pain for weeks on and after the incident.
3. Black Widow
Black widow is one of the most dangerous spiders in the country as it is said that their venom is more fatal than rattlesnakes. Their venom can cause severe muscle spasms, nausea, and sickness and lead to death. Balck, the widow, is small, and you might be having a hard time noticing it, especially when it comes across near you. However, you need not worry as a black widow is less common in the Philippines or South Asia but is more common in America.
4. Bull Shark
Bull sharks are one of the terrors in the sea. They are bad-tempered, aggressive, and are known to be territorial. What makes these sharks scary is that they exist in the islands of the Philippines and tend to stay in shallower areas of water next to the shore. Also, bull sharks can adapt and can live on freshwaters like rivers.
5. Mosquito
The mosquito is one of the most deadly creatures in the country. Most of these mosquitoes carry malaria and dengue. Many are killed due to the illness that they brought. Dengue is very rampant in the country. It may cause a person to have intense muscle pain, temporary paralysis, hallucinations, and high fevers.
6. Freshwater Crocodile
Though freshwater crocodiles are endangered, they deserve to be on our list as they are one of the country’s most dangerous animals. This crocodile can grow for about 10 feet from its snout down to the tail and may weigh about 190 kilograms. This crocodile typically lives in the country’s Northern parts, including Luzon and some remote parts of the Babuyan Islands, in Isabela, and Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park.
7. Blue-Ringed Octopus
Though the vibrant and exciting colors of Blue Ringed Octopus may entice you at first glance, don’t be deceived. The intense colors of these octopuses are not meant to attract but give you a sign that they are highly toxic and venomous sea creatures. This octopus can be found in shallow sea waters and coral reefs. This octopus has Tetrodotoxin, a poisonous substance that is more powerful than cyanide. Once attacked with this octopus, victims may have total bodily paralysis and organ failure in a snap.
8. Centipede
Many centipedes live in the forested tropical areas in the country that are highly venomous and dangerous. That is why it is vital that you need to be cautious as you go on jungle trekking or mountain walking.
9. Stray Dogs
In many streets in the Philippines, you might notice many stray dogs. There are an estimated 12 million stray dogs currently living in the Philippines. Some of the stray dogs are pretty aggressive and vicious. They may cause you to be at risk as they may bite or attack you that may cause you injury. Also, many homeless dog populations carry several diseases that include rabies. Sad to say that rabies is rampant in the Philippines, and most of the cases come from stray dogs.
10. Scorpion
The Philippines has many varieties of scorpions that are around 16 types. Most scorpions live in the thick forest and woodlands that travelers rarely see. Many scorpions in the country carry venom that is very harmful to humans. One example is the Asian black forest scorpion; though it may not kill, it will only leave an excruciating sting and irritation on the site where you are attacked or bitten.
Takeaways
The Philippines may be a beautiful place but is also a haven of diversities that includes dangerous creatures. These dangerous creatures live in different areas in the country, including bodies of water and many forests. If you are into adventures, may it be in water or mountains, it is better to avoid being attacked or victimized by some dangerous Philippine animals.