Up to 6 m and 1,000 kg. Second-largest crocodile after the saltwater. Kills more humans than any other crocodile — ~750 per year.

Ambushes people drawing water, washing clothes, swimming. Death roll drowns prey. Active near villages along the Nile and Zambezi basins.

Rivers, lakes, swamps across sub-Saharan Africa — Egypt (south), Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, DRC, all Nile basin.

Mostly nocturnal hunter. Spends day basking. Can sprint 22 km/h short bursts. Females defend nests fiercely.

5-9 mm mosquito. Most efficient malaria vector in the world. Africa carries 96% of global malaria burden — ~580,000 deaths per year, mostly children under 5.

Malaria has killed more humans than any other disease in history. WHO estimates 263 million cases per year. P. falciparum (most lethal strain) kills children within days without treatment.

Sub-Saharan Africa universally. Breeds in any standing water — puddles, rice paddies, hoof prints.

Bites at night (peak 22:00 - 04:00). Prefers humans over animals (unusual). One female bites 2-3 times per cycle, transferring parasites between hosts.

Up to 40 cm. Camouflaged perfectly as a rock or coral. 13 dorsal spines deliver venom when stepped on. Found in Red Sea and East African coast.

Sting causes excruciating pain (worst pain known to humans), tissue death, paralysis, heart failure. Antivenom exists. Few deaths now, but injuries common.

Red Sea — Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti. East African coast — Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique. Indian Ocean reefs.

Almost motionless — relies entirely on camouflage. Buries partially in sand. Most stings: tourists wading without reef shoes.

Africa carries about 36% of global rabies burden — 21,476 deaths per year, almost all transmitted by dog bites. Most victims are children under 15.

Once rabies symptoms appear, mortality is near 100%. Post-exposure vaccination works only before symptoms. Stray dogs are main reservoir. Major problem in DRC, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania.

Across all of Africa. Highest rabies burden: DRC, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya. Eradicated in: South Africa (urban), Egypt (mostly).

Stray and unvaccinated dogs are main reservoir. Children most vulnerable due to height and inability to defend themselves.

Stocky, aggressive shark up to 3.5 m. Uniquely tolerant of fresh water — found in the Zambezi 200 km inland, in Lake Nicaragua.

Top contender for most dangerous shark to humans. Hunts in shallow, murky water where people swim. Many attacks attributed to great whites are actually bull sharks.

Coasts and rivers — South Africa (Indian Ocean), Mozambique (Zambezi), Egypt (Red Sea), Senegal, Ghana coast.

Aggressive and territorial. Tolerates salinity from 0 to 53 ppt. Attacks unprovoked more than other sharks.

Up to 35 cm. Striking red-white striped fins with venomous spines. Native to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean coast of Africa.

13 venomous dorsal spines cause intense pain, swelling, nausea, occasionally breathing difficulty. Rarely fatal but agonizing. A hazard for divers and waders.

Coral reefs of the Red Sea and East African coast — Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique.

Slow-moving, fearless due to venom defense. Spreads fins to corner prey. Active at dusk hunting small fish and shrimp.