The largest predators in the world. Predatory fish. Names, descriptions and features of predatory fish The largest marine predators

Predators of the underwater world include fish, whose diet includes other inhabitants of water bodies, as well as birds and some animals. The world of predatory fish is diverse: from terrifying specimens to attractive aquarium specimens. What they have in common is the possession of a large mouth with sharp teeth for catching prey.

A feature of predators is unbridled greed, excessive gluttony. Ichthyologists note the special intelligence of these creatures of nature and ingenuity. The struggle for survival contributed to the development of abilities that predatory fish superior even to cats and dogs.

Marine predatory fish

The vast majority of marine fish of predatory families live in tropical and subtropical zones. This is explained by the presence in these climatic zones of a huge variety of herbivorous fish and warm-blooded mammals that make up the diet of predators.

Shark

Unconditional leadership takes white predatory fish shark, the most insidious for humans. The length of its carcass is 11 m. Its relatives of 250 species also pose a potential danger, although attacks by 29 representatives of their families have been officially recorded. The safest is the shark - a giant, up to 15 m long, feeding on plankton.

Other species, larger than 1.5-2 meters, are insidious and dangerous. Among them:

• Tiger shark;
• hammerhead shark (large outgrowths with eyes on the sides of the head);
• mako shark;
• katran (sea dog);
• gray shark;
• spotted shark scyllium.

In addition to sharp teeth, fish are equipped with prickly spines and hard skin. Cuts and blows are no less dangerous than bites. Wounds inflicted by large sharks are fatal in 80% of cases. The jaw strength of predators reaches 18 tf. With its bites it can dismember a person into pieces.

Pictured is a rockfish

Scorpena (Sea Ruff)

Predatory bottom fish. The body, compressed on the sides, is variegatedly colored and protected by spines and shoots for camouflage. A real monster with bulging eyes and thick lips. It lives in the thickets of the coastal zone, no deeper than 40 meters, and winters at great depths.

It is very difficult to notice it at the bottom. The food supply includes crustaceans, greenfinches, and silversides. Doesn't rush after prey. He waits for her to come closer, then he throws him into his mouth. It lives in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Oshiben (galeya)

A medium-sized fish, 25-40 cm long, with an oblong body of a dirty color and very small scales. A bottom predator that spends time in the sand during the day and goes out hunting at night. The food contains mollusks, worms, crustaceans, small fish. Features include pelvic fins on the chin and a special swim bladder.

Atlantic cod

Large individuals up to 1-1.5 m long, weighing 50-70 kg. It lives in the temperate zone and forms a number of subspecies. The color is green with an olive tint, with brown inclusions. The basis of nutrition is herring, capelin, cod, and mollusks.

They feed their own young and small relatives. Atlantic cod are characterized by seasonal migrations over long distances of up to 1.5 thousand km. A number of subspecies have adapted to live in desalinated seas.

Pacific cod

It is distinguished by a massive head shape. The average length does not exceed 90 cm, weight 25 kg. Lives in the northern zones of the Pacific Ocean. The diet includes pollock, shrimp, and octopus. A sedentary stay in a body of water is typical.

Catfish

Marine representative of the genus Perciformes. The name was received for the front teeth, similar to those of a dog, fangs protruding from the mouth. The body is eel-shaped, up to 125 cm long, weighing on average 18-20 kg.

It lives in moderately cold waters, near rocky soils, where its food supply is located. In behavior, the fish is aggressive even towards its relatives. The diet includes jellyfish, crustaceans, small fish, and shellfish.

Pink salmon

A representative of small salmon, with an average length of 70 cm. The habitat of pink salmon is extensive: the northern regions of the Pacific Ocean, entering the Arctic Ocean. Pink salmon are a representative of anadromous fish that migrate to fresh waters to spawn. Therefore, small salmon are known in all the rivers of the Northern, on the Asian mainland, Sakhalin and other places.

The fish got its name from its dorsal hump. Characteristic dark stripes appear on the body before spawning. The diet is based on crustaceans, small fish, and fry.

Eel-pout

An unusual inhabitant of the coasts of the Baltic, White and Barents seas. A bottom-dwelling fish whose preferences are sand overgrown with algae. Very tenacious. It can wait among the wet stones for the tide or hide in a hole.

The appearance resembles a small animal, up to 35 cm in size. Large head, body tapers to a sharp tail. The eyes are large and protruding. The pectoral fins look like two fans. Scales like those of a lizard, but do not overlap the next one. The eelpout feeds on small fish, gastropods, worms, and larvae.

Brown (eight-lined) greenling

Found near rocky headlands on the Pacific coast. The name refers to the color with green and brown shades. Another option was obtained for a complex drawing. The meat is green. The diet, like many predators, includes crustaceans. There are many relatives in the greenling family:

• Japanese;
• Steller's greenling (spotted);
• red;
• single-line;
• single-feathered;
• long-browed and others.

Names of predatory fish often convey their external features.

Gloss

Found in warm coastal waters. The length of the flat fish is 15-20 cm. In appearance, the glossa is compared to river flounder; it is adapted to live in water of varying salinity. It feeds on bottom food - mollusks, worms, crustaceans.

Glossa fish

Beluga

Among predators, this fish is one of the largest relatives. The species is listed in Krasnaya. The peculiarity of the structure of the skeleton is the elastic cartilaginous chord and the absence of vertebrae. The size reaches 4 meters and weight – from 70 kg to 1 ton.

It is found in the Caspian and Black Seas, and during spawning in large rivers. The characteristic wide mouth, overhanging thick lip, and 4 large antennae are characteristic of the beluga. The uniqueness of the fish lies in its longevity; its age can reach a century.

Eats fish. Under natural conditions, it forms hybrid varieties with sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, and sterlet.

Sturgeon

Large predator, up to 6 meters long. The average weight of commercial fish is 13-16 kg, although giants reach 700-800 kg. The body is highly elongated, without scales, covered with rows of bony scutes.

The head is small, the mouth is located below. It feeds on bottom organisms and fish, providing itself with 85% protein food. Tolerates low temperatures and periods of lack of food well. Lives in salt and freshwater bodies of water.

Stellate sturgeon

The characteristic appearance is due to the elongated shape of the nose, the length of which reaches 60% of the length of the head. Stellar sturgeon is inferior in size to other sturgeons - the average weight of the fish is only 7-10 kg, length 130-150 cm. Like its relatives, it is a long-liver among fish, living 35-40 years.

Lives in the Caspian and Azov seas with migration to large rivers. The basis of nutrition is crustaceans and worms.

Flounder

The sea predator is easy to distinguish by its flat body, eyes located on one side, and a circular fin. She has almost forty varieties:

• star-shaped;
• yellowfin;
• halibut-shaped;
• proboscis;
• linear;
• long-snouted, etc.

Distributed from the Arctic Circle to Japan. Adapted to live on muddy bottoms. Hunts from ambush for crustaceans, shrimp, and small fish. The sighted side is characterized by mimicry. But if you startle it, it abruptly breaks away from the bottom, swims to a safe place and lies on the blind side.

Lichia

A large sea predator from the horse mackerel family. Found in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, the eastern Atlantic, and the southwestern Indian Ocean. Grows up to 2 meters with a weight gain of up to 50 kg. Lihi's prey includes herring, sardines in the water column and crustaceans in the bottom layers.

Whiting

A predatory schooling fish with a stagnate body. The color is gray, with a purple tint on the back. Found in the Kerch Strait, the Black Sea. Loves cold waters. By the movement of anchovy, you can monitor the appearance of whiting.

Whip

Inhabits the coastal waters of the Azov and Black Seas. Up to 40 cm long and weighing up to 600 g. The body is flattened, often covered with spots. Open gills increase the size of the deprived head and frighten predators. Among rocky and sandy soils it hunts with shrimps, mussels, and small fish.

River predatory fish

Freshwater predators are well known to fishermen. This is not only a commercial river catch, known to cooks and housewives. The role of insatiable inhabitants of reservoirs is to eat low-value weeds and diseased individuals. Predatory freshwater fish carry out a kind of sanitary cleaning of reservoirs.

Chub

A picturesque inhabitant of Central Russian reservoirs. Dark green back, golden sides, dark border along the scales, orange fins. Loves to eat fish fry, larvae, and crustaceans.

Asp

The fish is called a horse for its quick jumping out of the water and deafening falls on its prey. The blows with the tail and body are so strong that small fish become stiff. The fishermen nicknamed the predator the river corsair. Keeps to himself. The main prey is bleak floating on the surface of reservoirs. Lives in large reservoirs, rivers, and southern seas.

Som

The largest predator without scales, reaching a length of 5 meters and a weight of 400 kg. Favorite habitats are the waters of the European part of Russia. The main food of catfish is shellfish, fish, small freshwater inhabitants and birds. It hunts at night and spends the day in holes and under snags. Catching a catfish is a difficult task, as the predator is strong and smart

Pike

A real predator in habits. It attacks everything, even its relatives. But it gives preference to roach, crucian carp, and rudd. Does not like prickly ruff and perch. It catches and waits until the prey calms down before swallowing.

Hunts frogs, birds, mice. It is distinguished by fast growth and good camouflage. It grows on average up to 1.5 meters and weighs up to 35 kg. Sometimes there are giants as tall as human beings.

Zander

Large predator of large and clean rivers. The weight of a meter-long fish reaches 10-15 kg, sometimes more. Found in sea waters. Unlike other predators, the mouth and throat are small, so small fish serve as food. Avoids thickets so as not to become prey for pike. Active in hunting.

Predatory fish pike perch

Burbot

Belonesox

Small predators are not afraid to attack even comparable fish, which is why they are called miniature pikes. Gray-brown color with black spots like a line. The diet includes live food from small fish. If the whitefish is well-fed, then the prey will be alive until the next lunch.

Tiger perch

A large fish with a contrasting color, up to 50 cm long. The body shape resembles an arrowhead. The fin on the back extends to the tail, with which it provides acceleration in pursuit of prey. The color is yellow with black stripes along the diagonal. The diet should include bloodworms, shrimp, and earthworms.

Livingston cichlid

Video of predatory fish reflect the unique mechanism of ambush hunting. They occupy the position of a dead fish and withstand a sudden attack of emerging prey for a long time.

The length of the cichlid is up to 25 cm, the spotted color varies in yellow-blue-silver tones. A red-orange border runs along the edge of the fins. The food in the aquarium is pieces of shrimp, fish, etc. Don't overfeed.

Toadfish

The appearance is unusual; the huge head and growths on the body are surprising. Thanks to camouflage, the bottom dweller hides among snags and roots, waiting for the victim to approach to attack. In the aquarium it feeds on bloodworms, shrimp, pollock or other fish. Loves solo content.

Leaf fish

A unique adaptation to a fallen leaf. Camouflage helps to guard prey. The size of the individual does not exceed 10 cm. The yellowish-brown color helps to imitate the drifting of a fallen tree leaf. The daily diet includes 1-2 fish.

Biara

Suitable for keeping in large aquariums only. The length of individuals is up to 80 cm. The species is a real predator with a large head and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Large fins on the abdomen look like wings. It feeds only on live fish.

Tetra vampire

In an aquarium environment it grows up to 30 cm, in nature – up to 45 cm. The ventral fins look like wings. They help make quick dashes for prey. When swimming, the head is down. Live fish may be abandoned in the diet in favor of pieces of meat and mussels.

Aravana

A representative of the oldest fish up to 80 cm in size. An elongated body with fins forming a fan. This structure gives acceleration in hunting and the ability to jump. The structure of the mouth allows it to grab prey from the surface of the water. You can feed shrimp, fish, and worms in the aquarium.

Trahira (Tertha-wolf)

Amazon Legend. Aquarium maintenance is available to experienced specialists. Grows up to half a meter. Gray powerful body with a large head and sharp teeth. Fish feed not only on live food, but also serve as a kind of orderly. In an artificial reservoir it feeds on shrimp, mussels, and pieces of fish.

frog catfish

A large predator with a massive head and a huge mouth. The short antennae are notable. Dark body color and whitish belly. Grows up to 25 cm. Accepts food from fish with white meat, shrimp, mussels.

Dimidochromis

A beautiful blue-orange predator. Develops speed and attacks with powerful jaws. Grows up to 25 cm. The body is flattened on the sides, the back has a round contour, the belly is flat. Fish smaller than a predator will certainly become its food. Shrimp, mussels, and clams are added to the diet.

All predatory fish in the wild and artificially kept are carnivorous. The diversity of species and habitats is shaped by many years of history and the struggle for survival in the aquatic environment. The natural balance assigns them the role of orderlies, leaders with the inclinations of cunning and ingenuity, who do not allow the dominance of trash fish in any body of water.

photo: John 'K'

Sharks

Perhaps the most dangerous predator in the ocean is the white shark: this animal brings great fear to people. Sharks lived in the ocean many years before humans appeared. About 400 species of these animals are known, but the white shark is considered the most dangerous predator. Its powerful teeth, enormous weight - about 3 tons and a length of about 6 meters - can terrify anyone. The predator has a spindle-shaped body, large fins and a crescent-shaped tail, and lives for approximately 27 years. There are 300 sharp teeth in the oral cavity, the upper jaw is equipped with triangular teeth, and on the lower jaw they take on a curved shape.

photo: corwinconnect

However, humans are not a “delicacy” for these animals; they prefer to attack those inhabitants who have good fat reserves, for example, fur seals and lions. People are not very interesting for white sharks: they have a lot of muscle tissue and tendons. Shark attacks on people occur for two reasons:

a person flounders in the water, and a predator mistakes him for easy prey - a sick animal;

the silhouette of a man floating on a surfboard resembles the outlines of other inhabitants of the ocean. Because sharks have poor eyesight, they may mistake a swimmer for mere prey. To make sure that the prey is edible, the predator makes a test bite or limits itself to a powerful push, but it can also tear the prey into pieces.

photo: Venson Kuchipudi

It is difficult to predict how a white shark will behave. Having caught prey, the shark shakes its head in different directions, which helps it tear the victim into pieces.

Scientists believe that thanks to this animal, the Pacific Ocean is the cleanest, since the shark eats the weakest creatures.

Sea anemones

These organisms belong to the class of cnidarians, a distinctive feature of which is the presence of stinging cells used for protection from predators and for the purpose of attack. Anemones lead a sedentary lifestyle, their length reaches 1 meter in height.

photo:Achim

These predators are attached to the bottom with a special leg called the basal disc or sole. The tentacles of sea anemones, the number of which varies from ten to hundreds, contain special cells called cnidocytes. These cells secrete a venom, a mixture of toxins, intended for hunting and self-defense. The poison contains substances that affect the nervous system: they paralyze the victim, which allows the predator to pull it closer to the mouth. With the help of poison, sea anemones immobilize fish and crustaceans, which constitute their main diet.

For humans, the venom of stinging cells is not life-threatening, but can cause pain and burns.

Killer whales

These predators belong to the dolphin family, but do not have all the benevolent features of these animals. Their nickname is the killer whale; they eat almost all the inhabitants of the oceans: shellfish, fish, mammals. If there is enough food for them, then killer whales exist quite peacefully with other cetaceans. But if a killer whale gets hungry, a whale, a penguin, or a penguin can become food for it.

photo: Nick Johnson

The size of the prey does not really matter: if it is a large animal, the killer whales can attack as a whole herd. But when it is not possible to kill the prey in one fell swoop, killer whales can starve it out, biting off small pieces from the body. No one can be protected from the attack of killer whales - neither a small herring nor a large dolphin.

A pack of these animals works in a strictly regulated mode: when they notice the prey, they become very “silent”.

photo:Sean

They move in even ranks, like soldiers, and each individual has its own task. If a school of killer whales leads a sedentary lifestyle, then fish or crustaceans are quite suitable for food. A migrating pod of killer whales may rely on large mammals such as seals and sea lions for food. They fully justify their nickname – “killer whales”.

These are representatives of the order of cephalopods. Octopuses have an excellent sense of smell, vision and touch, but they do not hear very well. Octopuses are agile animals that use their tentacles to capture prey and immobilize it with paralyzing poison. Their prey most often are crabs and lobsters: with the help of their tools, they split their shells and reach the body of the victim. Octopus venom is also dangerous for humans, causing problems with speech, breathing and swallowing. If help does not arrive in time, this can lead to death.

Photo: Neptune Canada

Octopuses are quite cunning creatures: when an enemy attacks, they seem to throw away their tentacles. The folded organ wriggles desperately, and the predator focuses directly on it. At this time, the octopus crawls away safely.

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Covering 70% of our planet, the sea is home to some of the most unusual, mysterious and deadly animals on the planet. Since humans are not born or live in the ocean, this makes us easy prey for many of these creatures, although fortunately we are not on their main menu...

As a man who has spent too much time floating on the surface of the sea, he has often tried to get closer and experience what lies below sea level. Fortunately, the statistics are not that scary and it seems to be quite rare for a person to be eaten alive in the open ocean. However, we should not think that the ocean waters are so welcoming to us; we should always be on our guard.

When selecting the most dangerous sea creatures in the world, we will take into account the attack statistics, killing potential and aggression of these animals. This list contains a huge number of species from tropical jellyfish to arctic killers.

10. Sea urchin

Photo. Toxopneustes (lat. Toxopneustes pileolus), sea urchin

Many of you have encountered sea urchins in your life, and some have learned how sharp their spines are and how painful it is to feel them in your skin. However, Toxopneustes pileolus does very well when it comes to defensive tactics. Described by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the most dangerous sea urchin in the world," it's one echinoderm you definitely shouldn't step on.

What makes this sea urchin so dangerous is the powerful venom it is equipped with. This venom contains at least two dangerous toxins: contractin A, a neurotoxin that causes smooth muscle spasms, and peditoxin, a protein toxin that can cause convulsions, anaphylactic shock and death. The venom is delivered through the pedicellariae, the flower-like structures that give this hedgehog its name. Once skin contact has occurred, pedicellaria often continue to pump venom into the prey. It is obvious that the size of these pedicellariae is directly related to the effectiveness of the venom.

Toxopneustes is responsible for many deaths that have occurred to people over the years. A hedgehog sting is very painful and can result in paralysis, breathing problems and disorientation, all of which can contribute to a person's drowning. As for the pain, here is an account of a bite recorded by a Japanese marine biologist in the 1930s:

“Then 7 or 8 pedicellariae were tightly embedded in the inner side of the middle finger of my right hand, separated from the stalk, they remained on the skin of my finger. I instantly felt severe pain, reminiscent of the pain caused by cnidoplasts of coelenterates, and I felt as if the toxin was rapidly moving through the blood vessel from the stung area to my heart. After some time I experienced difficulty breathing, mild dizziness, paralysis of the lips, tongue and eyelids, relaxation of the muscles in the limbs, it is unlikely that in this state I could speak or control my facial expression, I felt almost as if I was going to die." .

9. Barracuda

Photo. Great barracuda (lat. Sphyraena barracuda)

The photo above should be enough to understand why the barracuda is on our list. Reaching up to 1.8m (6ft) in length and armed with terrifyingly massive, super-sharp teeth, the torpedo-shaped barracuda is more than capable of causing serious injury to humans. In fact, there are 22 species of barracuda, but only the Greater Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is known to attack humans.

The barracuda's diet consists mainly of small to medium-sized fish. She uses her lightning speed and ambush tactics to catch her. In many reported attacks on people, people were in possession of shiny objects, such as jewelry and even diving knives. Apparently the barracuda is attracted to this and confuses them for a fish and strikes.

Such attacks can result in deep cuts, often leading to nerve and tendon damage or, in worst cases, ruptured blood vessels. These wounds may require hundreds of stitches.

On rare occasions, barracudas have been known to jump out of the water, causing serious injuries to people in the boat. In one recent case in Florida in 2015, a female canoeist was injured and had to really fight for her life after suffering several broken ribs and a punctured lung during a barracuda attack.

If this information still does not convince you that barracuda should be on this list, then there is one more thing. Barracudas have one final argument: their flesh sometimes contains ciguatoxin, which can cause severe symptoms that last for months.

8. Textile cone

Photo. Textile cone

Cones have been a favorite among collectors for centuries for their shells, but don't be fooled by their pretty appearance, these clams are killer! Equipped with tiny harpoons made from modified teeth, these creatures can fire a hollow harpoon filled with deadly neurotoxins in any direction. The harpoon of some large cone species is very large and strong enough to not only pierce human flesh, but also gloves and even a wetsuit.

One drop of cone venom is enough to kill 20 people, making it one of the most poisonous creatures on earth. Known as conotoxin, the venom can only have a very strong effect on certain types of nerves. On the medical side, a cone sting usually causes intense, localized pain with life-threatening symptoms that lasts for several days. On the other hand, from the moment this mollusk stings you, paralysis of the respiratory system and subsequent death can occur very quickly. In fact, one type of cone is very well known as the "cigarette snail" because before you die you won't even have time to smoke a cigarette!

Despite their deadly poison, cones have only been responsible for a few deaths over the years, which is why they come in at just number 8 on our list.

7. Leopard seal

Photo. Leopard seal

The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is actually named after its spotted coat, although this may explain its fierce nature. At the top of the Antarctic food chain, this leopard is one of the largest seals in southern waters. Reaching up to 4 m (13 ft) in length and weighing up to 600 kg (1,320 lb), the leopard seal is a formidable predator. In addition to its size and speed, these seals are also armed with a huge mouth (big enough to fit your head!) lined with large, pointed teeth, making it look more like a reptile than a seal.

The leopard seal's menu includes other species of seal, seabirds, penguins and fish, although they are also known to sift through krill and small crustaceans. These seals usually hunt from ambush, just below the ice level, when the seals or penguins jump into the water, it is at this moment that they pounce on their prey.

Given that the leopard seal is only found in the cold waters of the far southern oceans, they do not often come into contact with humans at all. However, because the leopard seal has already killed people, this makes it very terrible in our eyes.

Back in 1914, during Ernest Shackleton's expedition, a leopard seal had to be shot as it was pursuing crew member Thomas Ord-Lees. The seal first chased Ord Fox on the ice, then dived under the ice cover and watched him from below. After the leopard seal jumped out in front of Ord Fox, another member of the team managed to kill it.

In 2003, a British scientist was less fortunate. Kirsty Brown, a 28-year-old marine biologist working with the British Antarctic Survey, was snorkeling off the Antarctic Peninsula when she was attacked by a large leopard seal. The seal dragged the woman deep underwater, where she suffocated.

While there are many stories of leopard seals harassing people in boats, this incident is the first reported fatality.

6. Wart

Photo. Wart

This grumpy-looking fellow doesn't seem too happy to be the most poisonous fish on the planet. Armed with 13 needle-like sharp spines running along its back, the stone fish blends in perfectly with the surrounding background, it simply waits for an unfortunate person to step on it. Another feature of the wart that is always worth mentioning is that it can survive outside the sea for up to 24 hours. It is really very difficult to notice on the seabed. The neurotoxic venom of warts is not only dangerous, but also incredibly painful. In fact, the fish's sting is reportedly so painful that victims have asked for their limbs to be cut off. The quote below clearly shows how painful it is:

“In Australia I got my finger pricked by a stonefish... not to mention bee venom. ... Imagine every wrist, knuckle, elbow and shoulder being hit with a sledgehammer for about an hour. About an hour later, you were allegedly kicked in both kidneys for about 45 minutes, so much so that you could not stand or straighten up. I was in my early 20s, very fit, and still have a small scar. My finger remained painful for the next few days, but I also had periodic pain in my kidneys for several years after that.”

Video. How dangerous is a wart?

For obvious reasons, many people have gotten a wart shot in the leg. Although such cases may simply redefine pain, such cases have nevertheless led to a lot of trouble. Such venom injections are potentially fatal, causing respiratory paralysis and possibly heart failure. In serious cases, immediate medical attention is required and the victim must be treated with an antidote. In fact, it is the second most commonly administered antivenom in Australia and has resulted in no one dying from a wart injection there for almost 100 years.

5. Blue-ringed octopus

Photo. Blue-ringed octopus

Instantly recognizable by their iridescent blue rings, these small octopuses spend much of their time hiding in cracks or camouflaging themselves in the coral reefs of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

It is only when they feel threatened that blue-ringed octopuses truly live up to their name and show their true colors. At that moment, his skin turns bright yellow, and his blue rings become even brighter, almost shimmering. This beautiful display can also be a warning as it is one of the most dangerous animals in the ocean.

What makes this octopus especially dangerous is its venom. Not all octopuses have venom, but the blue-ringed octopus is in the big league. Known as TDT (tetrodotoxin), it is an incredibly potent neurotoxin, the same one found in dart frogs and wart frogs. It is approximately 1200 times stronger than cyanide, and one small injection can be enough to kill. In fact, many victims claim they didn't even feel the sting.

The average sample, weighing about 30 grams, reportedly contains enough poison to kill more than 10 adults.

Video. Why is the blue-ringed octopus dangerous?

There is no effective antidote for blue-ringed octopus venom; its neurotoxin is designed to paralyze the victim. Its effect is similar to medical curare, which is used to immobilize patients during surgery; under its influence, a person is unable to speak or move. The main danger is that it paralyzes the lungs, causing the victim to suffocate. In severe cases, prompt treatment is essential and this involves placing the victim on life support until the effects of the poison wear off and breathing is restored.

4. Box jellyfish

Photo. sea ​​wasp

There are many species of box jellyfish, which get their name from their cuboid bodies. Many box jellyfish are especially poisonous, like the large sea wasp (lat. Chironex fleckeri), which has the most powerful poison. Found along the northern coasts of Australia and tropical Southeast Asia, the sea wasp is often regarded as the "world's deadliest jellyfish", having killed more than 60 people in Australia alone. The death toll appears to be significantly higher in other regions of the world, especially where antivenom is not readily available.

The venom of the sea wasp is second in strength among all creatures on Earth, more poisonous only at the geographic cone. Calculations show that each animal contains enough poison to kill 60 adult humans and very few animals can kill so quickly. In extreme cases, death occurs from cardiac arrest, which is known to occur in less than five minutes after the person has been stung. The bite itself causes excruciating pain along with a burning sensation that is similar to the touch of a hot iron. The good news is that, contrary to popular belief, urinating on the bite site will not cause any noticeable effect! In most cases, the tentacles remain on the victim's body and they can continue to sting even after you have left the sea, often resulting in scarring.

Video. Box jellyfish - Sea wasp

But there are also tiny jellyfish, irukandji. They are widespread and this small jellyfish has a strong venom that can lead to Irukandji syndrome, which gradually appears after the bite itself. It is also reported that the bite of the Irukandji is potentially fatal, as well as incredibly painful. One of the victims said that it was even worse than childbirth and more intense.

3. Sea snakes

Photo. Sea snake

There are many species of sea snakes, which are mainly found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. They are thought to have evolved from land snakes in Australia and adapted to life in shallow coastal waters by developing a huge left lung and elongation. They are closely related to land-dwelling cobras and kraits, which is a bit surprising since many sea snakes are highly venomous. What's actually surprising is that their venom is much stronger than that of their land-based relatives. The reason for this venomous nature is that they eat fish and this means that they must immobilize their prey as quickly as possible to prevent it from escaping and preventing themselves from being injured.

Apparently, most of you have heard that despite their deadly venom, sea snakes are harmless because they have tiny mouths. This is complete nonsense! True sea snakes have small fangs and do not have huge mouths, but they are capable of swallowing fish whole and can easily bite a person, even through a wetsuit.

There are actually two reasons why sea snakes are considered much less dangerous than land snakes: first, they tend to be shy and much less aggressive. In addition, they tend to perform a “dry” bite, i.e. no poison is injected. It is very unlikely that a person can be injected with poison and the good news is that there are certain antidotes.

Of all the species of sea snakes, there are two species that deserve mention. The big-nosed enhydrina (lat. Enhydrina schistosa) is one of the most poisonous snakes on earth. Its venom is almost 8 times stronger than that of a cobra, one drop is enough to kill three people. It is also considered more aggressive than most other sea snakes. The venom of the Nose Enhydrina contains both neurotoxins and myotoxins, while the former will kill you thanks to respiratory paralysis, the latter will begin to break down your muscles, causing excruciating pain.

Despite these signs, there have been a few known deaths involving this snake, which is more common in deeper waters. Most of the bites were caught by fishermen while checking their nets.

The second sea snake that is worthy of mention is the Belcher's sea snake (lat. Hydrophis belcheri), only because it is often mentioned as the snake with the most powerful venom. It is often claimed that its venom is 100 times stronger than even that of the inland taipan. This is a bit of an exaggeration, but the poison is certainly like that of the taipan. The good news is that the Belcher's sea snake is often described as having a "friendly" nature!

2. Saltwater crocodile

Photo. Saltwater crocodile

The saltwater or saltwater crocodile is no stranger to the pages of “In the Jaws of Animals.” This animal is deadly on both land and water, and this crocodile is the largest reptile to survive to us since the time of the dinosaurs. The largest specimens that have been recorded and described were about 7 meters (25 ft) long and weighed about 2 tons, although in the 1950s one crocodile reached a length of 8.5 meters (30 ft) and was allegedly caught around city ​​of Darwin in Australia.

Along with its size it also has incredible strength, the saltwater crocodile has the most powerful bite on Earth, 10 times stronger than a great white shark. They are also fast swimmers in water, reaching speeds of 27 km/h (18 mph). They're not that fast on land, but urban legends tell us they're capable of explosive action, supposedly faster than you can react.

Although most people associate the saltwater crocodile with Australia, it is widespread and causes more havoc in its other habitats. The saltwater crocodile can be found throughout Southeast Asia and even as far west as India. These crocodiles are also known to be able to swim long distances alone and have been seen as far away as Fiji and New Caledonia.

In Australia, there are an average of two fatal saltwater crocodile attacks per year. In other places, the number of attacks is difficult to estimate, but research suggests there are many more, up to 30 per year.

Perhaps the most infamous attack by saltwater crocodiles occurred on Ramree Island (Myanmar) during World War II. After a fierce battle, the Japanese soldiers refused to surrender and retreated into a crocodile-infested swamp, which was surrounded by British marines. An estimated 400 Japanese soldiers were reportedly killed by crocodiles that night. Witness Bruce Stanley Wright wrote about the events of that night:

Video. Crocodile massacre. Crocodile attacks on Ramri Island

“Scattered rifle shots in the black darkness of the swamp were interrupted by the cries of wounded men being eaten by the jaws of huge reptiles, and the blurred, alarming sound of spinning crocodiles was like a sound from hell, which is rarely heard on earth...

Of about a thousand Japanese soldiers who entered the Ramree swamps, only about twenty were found alive."

1. Sharks

Photo. Great white shark

Not too many surprises here, right? As predators, sharks are the apex predators of the ocean, and are very well equipped to inflict serious injury: with large, fast and powerful jaws, armed with multiple rows of razor-sharp teeth, these fish are polished killing machines. However, despite the existence of about 400 species, it is possible to select only a few that pose any real danger to humans. We have already described in another article, but we still believe that it is worth choosing only four of them.

On the one hand, the great white shark is the most capable killer of all living sharks. Reaching a length of almost 8 meters (25 feet) and weighing 3 tons, great white sharks earned their name during their lifetime. Their favorite tactic is to swim under their prey and then, at top speed (55 km/h, 35 mph), with their mouth open, rise up to sink their teeth into the unsuspecting prey.

Statistics provide some support for the great white shark's status as a deadly ocean creature, with approximately 20% of the approximately 400 reported unprovoked attacks being fatal. However, when you take a closer look at some other species of sharks, you can understand that great white sharks are not as dangerous to humans as compared to other species.

The bull shark has a slightly higher kill rate, around 25%, and it is believed that many attacks were either misattributed or not recorded. The bull shark's trump card is its ability to survive in fresh water. These sharks have been found all over the world thousands of miles from the ocean in estuaries where no one would expect to see them. They have even been found in lakes that only have seasonal access to the sea.

Additionally, bull sharks, like tiger sharks, are much less picky about what they eat. While most great white shark attacks appear to involve misidentification of their prey, bull sharks deliberately attack humans.

Another species of shark worth mentioning is the longtip shark. Although statistics do not indicate their danger, legendary naturalist Jacques Cousteau described them as “the most dangerous of all sharks.” These sharks are blamed for hundreds of deaths in air and sea disasters. The most famous cases date back to the Second World War, when the ships Nova Scotia sank off the coast of South Africa and Indianapolis in the Philippines. Although there are no exact figures, the estimated death toll from shark attacks between the two disasters is around 1,000.

This broad definition includes the largest animal in the entire history of the Earth - the Blue Whale. The blue whale eats several tons of plankton per day. But plankton includes not only algae, but also marine organisms (krill).

But is the Blue Whale a predator?

A blue whale can weigh more than 200 tons and reach a length of up to 33 meters. It eats krill and can be considered not only the largest predator that ever lived, but also the largest animal in general. But a whale, with its whiskers, is not usually what people think of when they hear the word "predator."

So let's move on to comparing the real largest predators that ever lived on planet Earth. Click on any blue panel - it will open and show you the necessary information about the selected predator.

1 place. Megalodon

Megalodon

Megalodon sharks are not inferior in size to Pliosaurs. According to modern estimates, this giant fish with teeth 18-20 cm could reach a length of 18.2-20.3 meters or so for an adult. According to Gottfried's model, a 15.9 meter Megalodon would have a mass of about 48 tons, a 17 meter Megalodon would have a mass of about 59 tons, and a 20.3 meter Megalodon would have a mass of about 103 tons.

According to earlier estimates, Megalodons could reach a length of 40 meters and weigh more than 120 tons. Megalodon is the largest predatory fish (and perhaps a predator) in the entire history of the Earth.

All fossilized teeth of Megalodon (15-18 cm.), those found so far say the shark is extinct. On a geological time scale, this happened 1.5-2 million years ago. But some researchers believe that Megalodon disappeared from the face of the planet “quite recently,” in the late Pleistocene or early Holocene, or in other words, about 10,000 years ago, or even roams the oceans to this day.

According to scientists, Megalodon had such properties as metabolism, high speed and a huge jaw that allowed it to eat anyone. A set of Megalodon teeth was found in North Carolina (USA). Based on this specimen, a model was made, which is now kept in New York, in the Museum of Natural History. Megalodon had more than 270 teeth, which were serrated (like a saw) and ran in five rows.

Famous explorer Vito Bertucci (nicknamed "Megalodon") spent about 20 years of his life recreating the world's largest Megalodon jaw. The dimensions of this jaw are amazing: 3.4 meters diagonally and 2.7 meters in height. According to some estimates, the bite force of Megalodon was 12-20 or even 30 tons per square centimeter. Simply amazing power. And we give the palm in the dispute between predators to Megalododus.

On the issue of estimating the maximum length of Megalodon Disputes continue. An early attempt at reconstructing the Megalodon jaw was made by Professor Bashford Dean back in 1909. Based on the size of the reconstructed jaw, the body length of Megalodon was calculated: ~40 meters. But subsequent studies have cast doubt on this result.

2nd place. Pliosaur

Pliosaur

The sperm whale is perhaps the largest predator in the history of the earth. But there were worse creatures. It is possible that the largest predator of all time (and there is direct evidence for this) is Pliosaurus or its variety Liopleurodon.

Pliosaurs lived during the Jurassic period 145 million years ago. In Mexico, the skeleton of a juvenile pliosaur was found and measured, ranging from 16 to 19.5 meters in length. This suggests a skull 3.6-4 meters long! But there is evidence that this “small” young creature was killed by a much larger creature of its kind. Teeth marks on the 4-meter skull show that the adult killer animal was the size of a whale (possibly more than 24.5 meters in length) and with teeth 40 to 50 cm long!

Any suggestions, that the largest specimens of these creatures could reach a length of 25-30 meters and weigh 45-50 tons. Using huge, powerful teeth, biting a victim in half and crushing its bones was a simple matter for the Pliosaurus. Such power left the victim no chance to survive his bite. Paleontologists estimate that the bite of this predator was perhaps four times stronger than that of a Tyrannosaurus rex. According to various estimates, the bite force of Tyrannosaurus was 3-20 tons per square centimeter. Let us note for ourselves that modern crocodiles are capable of biting with a force of only about 1.7 tons per square centimeter.

3rd place. Sperm whale

Sperm whale

The whale's reputation as the ruler of the ocean is being challenged by the sperm whale. A sperm whale is a whale, but not an ordinary whale, but a whale with teeth. The sperm whale's mouth is armed with huge fangs. Therefore, the sperm whale may probably be the largest of the toothed animals.

Measuring 22 meters in length and weighing up to 100 tons, the sperm whale feeds on fish and several types of squid. The four-meter jaws of the sperm whale are armed with fifty massive teeth up to 20 centimeters long and weighing up to a kilogram. And some teeth even weigh 3 kilograms!

And just recently(in November 2008), a fragment of a three-meter fossilized skull of a giant sperm whale was found in sedimentary rocks on the coast of Peru. The find was made in the desert 35 km southwest of the city of Ica. The teeth of the found animal turned out to be of unprecedented size - up to 36 centimeters in length and up to 12 centimeters in diameter.