Ranked: the world's DEADLIEST beasts

Dangerous beasts and where to find them

There are plenty of dangerous beasts out there whose teeth, claws, horns and hoofs can do some serious harm to a mere human. We’ve rounded up the deadliest of them all – from bears and crocodiles to deer and cows (yes, you did read that correctly), and ranked them.

Read on to discover which is the most fearsome of them all…

30. Wolverine

The Marvel character Wolverine has certainly killed his fair share of humans, but the animal he’s named after is much less of a threat. Although known for their strength and resilience, with a muscular build and powerful jaws, they are generally shy, solitary creatures who prefer to avoid humans. Documented attacks are rare, but do happen – usually if a wolverine feels compelled to defend its territory or offspring from human encroachment. However, as they generally inhabit areas of remote wilderness, this isn’t often an issue.

29. Cheetah

The world’s fastest land mammal, the cheetah is blessed with a slender, aerodynamic body and powerful legs which allow it to run at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour (120km/h), making it an enormously effective predator. Unlike other wild cats, cheetahs are not aggressive by nature – but they are territorial and highly protective of their young. While there are no records of cheetahs killing human beings in the wild, a number of maulings have been documented by cheetahs in captivity.

28. Jaguar

Although smaller than lions and tigers, jaguars are still formidable predators. They have the most powerful bite for their size of any big cat, which they use to crush the skulls of their prey instead of going for the throat. However, they are solitary creatures who prefer to hunt in densely forested areas and will tend to flee if they encounter humans unless they feel threatened. Attacks on humans are therefore quite rare, except in cases where they have encroached onto jaguar territory, whether for logging, agricultural expansion, hunting, or exploring in the remote jungle.

27. Coyote

Similar to wolves but with a smaller build and more pointed snout, coyotes are generally wary of humans and not a serious threat unless they become habituated to human presence. While attacks on adults are rare, coyotes can pose a significant risk to small children and pets. In Canada, Vancouver's Stanley Park was home to a particularly aggressive pack of the animals: from December 2020 to September 2021, more than 45 coyote attacks were reported. Massachusetts has seen several notable cases as well: in May 2023, two toddlers were attacked in Arlington, and in October, six dogs were attacked in Saugus, four fatally.

26. Horse

It might be hard to believe that such beautiful creatures pose a genuine risk to humans, but they do. Equestrian activities account for 100 deaths per year in the US alone, while horseback riding is the leading cause of sports-related traumatic brain injuries. Even if you’re not a rider, horses can be dangerous. Easily startled, they can kick or bite if they feel threatened, causing severe injuries to anyone in their proximity, perhaps explaining why emergency departments treat around 65,000 horse-related injuries per year.

25. Hyena

With jaws powerful enough to crush an elephant’s leg, hyenas are fierce predators, but are naturally wary of humans and generally avoid direct contact with them. However, they are also opportunistic scavengers who will take food wherever they find it, which can cause problems if they find their way into human settlements. In 2014, the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa was plagued by packs of urban hyenas which attacked rough sleepers and even dug up and ate corpses in a local cemetery.

24. Zebra

Far more aggressive than horses, zebras have been known to kick each other to death and there are many reports of them killing lions. If they feel threatened or cornered they are liable to viciously bite any human who comes too close and can kick both backwards and sideways with a force of 3,000 pounds (1,361kg) per square inch. In 2023, a farmer in Ohio almost lost an arm when one of his zebras attacked him.

23. Cape buffalo

You only have to look at a Cape buffalo’s formidable horns to know you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of one. Grown bulls can reach over five and a half feet (1.7m) in height and 11 feet (3.4m) in length and weigh in at a colossal 1,984 pounds (900kg). They’re considered one of the most dangerous mammals in Africa, with old and grumpy bulls being the most fearsome of all as they can charge for no apparent reason. Hunters in particular should be wary as they tend to lie in wait for their pursuers before charging at the last minute.

22. Wild boar

They may not be that big but wild boars are surprisingly powerful. The European male can weigh anywhere between 165 pounds (75kg) and 220 pounds (100kg), run at speeds of 30 miles per hour (48km/h) and jump over obstacles of up to three feet (0.9m) in height – making them hard to outrun. Thankfully, attacks on humans are quite rare and unlikely to lead to death, although their sharp tusks can cause severe wounds. A more immediate danger is hitting one while driving. In France alone, wild boar and deer cause 60,000 car accidents every year.

21. Moose

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, more people in the state are injured by moose than bears each year. While not typically aggressive, moose can become dangerous if they feel harassed by humans, dogs or traffic, or when they are hungry or exhausted. Their antlers are formidable, but they can also rear up like a horse to kick and may charge if they sense any threat, especially to their young. Although most moose charges are intended as warnings, it’s wise not to stick around to find out if they’re bluffing.

20. Rhinoceros

The second-largest land mammals, rhinos can weigh up to 5,000 pounds (2,267kg). Despite their formidable appearance, characterised by thick hides and prominent horns, they are herbivores with poor eyesight and are generally non-aggressive unless provoked. However, they can exhibit short tempers, and given their ability to reach speeds of 30 miles per hour (50 km/h) in just a few strides, it's best not to take any chances. In May 2021, a student on a conservation trip in South Africa was trampled and gored by a black rhino in Northern Zululand, leaving him with a dislocated hip and severe bruising. More recently in November 2024, a 65-year-old man in Nepal was killed by a rhino in the Krishna Saar Community Forest while grazing cattle.

19. Jackal

Often depicted in folklore as wily tricksters, jackals are intelligent, highly adaptable creatures who live in packs much like wolves. They are largely nocturnal and tend to avoid contact with humans, but have been known to scavenge for food when their natural prey is scarce. Although attacks are rare, they do occur – especially in areas of Africa and India where human settlements encroach on wildlife habitats. As many as nine people were injured in five separate attacks in the Sultanpur, Amethi and Gonda districts of India in 2024.

18. American bison

The largest and heaviest land mammal in North America, the male American bison can stand up to six and a half feet (2m) tall and weigh as much as 1,980 pounds (900kg). Despite having a head so heavy it can’t be lifted to shoulder level, bison can run at speeds of 35 miles per hour (65km/h). This means anyone in their path during a stampede – which often occurs when they are startled – could be in serious danger. In Yellowstone Park, which hosts the largest wild population of American bison, these animals have injured more people than any other species, though only two fatalities have been recorded since 1872.

17. Bull

The fact that bulls are dangerous will come as no surprise. With their potent mixture of immense power and unpredictability, they’re responsible for a significant number of cattle-related deaths in the US, despite accounting for only 2% of cattle nationwide. Full of adrenaline and testosterone, they pose a particular threat to the livestock workers who handle them on a daily basis, but anyone encountering a bull while hiking in the country should keep a respectful distance. As for taking part in Spain’s bull running festivals? Well, 10 people died in 2022 alone after trying that.

16. Cougar

Also known as mountain lions or pumas, cougars are sleek and graceful creatures, renowned for their strength, agility and impressive ability to jump. Although skilled, stealthy predators, they are shy and elusive animals and tend to steer clear of humans. There have only been 29 fatal cougar attacks recorded in North America since 1868. However two horrific attacks in 2024 show that cougars can be a real danger. Five female cyclists were attacked with one left seriously injured in Campbell Global Forest, Washington, while two brothers were seriously mauled, with one later dying from his injuries, in California.

15. Grizzly bear

The grizzly bear combines incredible strength with naturally aggressive tendencies, making it one of the most iconic and feared of all wild animals. Adult grizzlies can weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds (360–450kg), run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour (48km/h), and have jaws that can crush through flesh and bone with terrifying ease. Grizzly bear attacks occur every year in North America, with an average of one to three serious incidents reported annually. In 2023, there was a tragic example of this, when a couple camping in Canada's Banff National Park were killed by a female grizzly.

14. Wolf

Wolves are generally shy and elusive creatures, preferring to prey on wild animals such as deer and wild boar. They only become dangerous when their natural prey is limited or if they have become habituated to the presence of humans. That said, a recent report by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research identified 489 wolf attacks across the globe between 2002 and 2020 with 26 fatalities. However, the vast majority of those attacks were from wolves infected with rabies.

13. Kamchatka brown bear

The Kamchatka brown bear, found in Russia’s far east, is the biggest brown bear in Eurasia with a body height of up to 9.8 feet (3m) and a weight of at least 1,430 pounds (650kg). They are extremely territorial and protective of their cubs, meaning that if you inadvertently find yourself in their company there is likely to be trouble. Food shortages have also made the bears more aggressive in recent decades. In 2008, up to 30 hungry bears attacked and ate two geologists, while three tourists were eaten after their helicopter crashed in 2022. On average three people a year die from bear attacks in the region.

12. Leopard

Although they may look fearsome, leopards are generally unlikely to attack humans. They need to be in top condition to hunt and survive so they tend to back down from any confrontation. However deadly leopard attacks are on the rise in India. In 2023 seven people were killed by leopards in Uttar Pradesh state's Bijnor district, while in 2024 nine people were killed in the State of Uttarakhand with a further 10 deaths recorded in Rajasthan. It’s thought that humans encroaching on the natural habitat of leopards and forcing them to seek other food sources is a major factor in the attacks.

11. Polar bear

With 42 razor sharp teeth and the ability to run at 25 miles per hour (40km/h), polar bears are formidable predators. Polar bear attacks on humans are rare – a 2017 report recorded only 73 attacks between 1870 and 2014 in which 20 people were killed and 63 injured. However, their frequency is increasing – 47 of those attacks took place between 1960 and 2009, with 15 occurring in the short period between 2010 and 2014. At least two further deadly attacks have happened since 2023. Climate change appears to be the cause. As sea ice depletes the bears are forced into closer proximity with human populations.

10. Cow

Unlike bulls, cows look like placid and docile creatures, but they pose a very real threat to humans. This is partly due to their strong maternal instinct, and a tendency to resent anyone getting between them and their calves. But they can also become aggressive due to stress from bad weather, fear or illness, increasing the danger for anyone in their proximity, especially dog lovers. At least 74 cattle-related deaths have been recorded in the UK alone since 2000, a quarter of which were members of the public walking dogs on footpaths or other rights of way.

9. Tiger

The largest member of the cat family, the tiger has a fearsome reputation, its very name synonymous with ferocity. The largest breed, Siberian tigers, can measure up to 13 feet (4m) in length and weigh up to 600 pounds (300kg), making them formidable predators. While tigers generally avoid human contact and only attack if their territory or cubs are threatened, the expansion of human settlements has led to an increase in tiger-related fatalities. This is particularly true in India, where 497 tiger-related deaths were recorded between 2014 and 2022.

8. Rat

Muscular, vicious and with teeth that can chew through metal and concrete, rats also carry any number of unpleasant and potentially fatal diseases, such as Hantavirus, Salmonella and the appropriately named Rat-Bite Fever. According to the World Health Organization, rats are responsible for causing more than 400 million infections in people each year, via bites, their fleas and their urine. Most famously, rat-borne fleas contributed to the spread of the Bubonic Plague, which wiped out between 30% and 50% of the population of Europe during the Middle Ages and is still present in some parts of the world today.

7. Sloth bear

Sloth bears are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Asia. Unlike most other predators, researchers believe they don’t always need to be provoked in order to attack. Although it is estimated that only 20,000 or fewer remain in the wild, the bears are notorious for attacks on humans – and these have increased in recent years. According to a 2020 National Geographic report, the bears kill over a dozen people every year. It seems that human incursion into the sloth bear’s habitat is the primary cause.

6. Deer

Seeing the doe-eyed deer on this list might be a bit of a shock, but they are consistently ranked as one of the deadliest animals in the US. Each year they are responsible for around 59,000 injuries and 440 deaths. They’re not actually spearing humans with those mighty antlers on a regular basis however, it’s car drivers running into them on the road which accounts for this statistic. The UK sees a number of injuries and fatalities from deer related traffic incidents too, with peaks in collisions running from October through to December and also in May.

5. Dog

Although known as Man’s Best Friend, dogs can sometimes be anything but, especially when protecting their owners from intruders or seeing off a perceived threat. In the US alone, around 4.5 million people suffer a dog bite wound each year and more than 40 are killed. But this pales into insignificance next to the death toll from rabies. According to the World Health Organization, this terrible disease kills around 59,000 people per year globally, and 99% of cases are caused by dog bites and scratches.

4. Lion

It will come as no surprise that lions are formidable predators. They are incredibly powerful, can run at up to 50 miles per hour (80km/h), leap as far as 36 feet (11m) and are equipped with ferocious claws and teeth. Generally hunting in packs, they prey on anything from small rodents to water buffalo, even giraffes or elephants if they’re young or sick enough. Slow moving humans make relatively easy targets, and lions have been known to attack poachers or tourists who get too close to them on safaris, causing around 200 deaths per year.

3. Saltwater crocodile

The largest reptile on the planet, the saltwater crocodile can grow up to 23 feet (6.5m) long and weigh over 2,200 pounds (1,000kg), while its jaws have the strongest bite of any living creature (twice that of a hippo). Most species of crocodile are relatively harmless and tend to avoid humans rather than confront them, but this daunting predator is fiercely territorial and often aggressive. Along with the Nile crocodile, it is responsible for most of the 1,000 or so crocodile-related deaths that occur each year.

2. Elephant

As the world’s largest land animal, the elephant's sheer size alone makes it a serious threat to us puny humans. Weighing up to eight tonnes, being trampled by one would mean almost certain (and instant) death. They can also pick humans up with their trunks and smash them into the ground or gore them with their tusks. They have been known to invade villages and croplands in South Asia, killing anyone who gets in their path, with annual fatalities numbering from 500 to 600.

1. Hippopotamus

Topping the list of dangerous beasts is the mighty hippo. They may be herbivores, but that doesn’t mean they don’t pose a threat to humans. Weighing up to 6,063 pounds (2,750kg), they also have enormous canine teeth measuring up to 1.6 feet (0.5m) long, which can chop a person in half without much effort. Ferociously territorial, they’re liable to attack any humans rash enough to approach their habitat, and have been known to tip over small boats, mistaking them for crocodiles. They’re estimated to kill at least 500 people every year, with some reports putting the figure as high as 3,000.

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