Small (50-90 cm), sandy-coloured viper with serrated scales that rasp together producing a warning sound. Despite size, considered the world's deadliest snake by total kill count.

Estimated to cause 20,000+ deaths annually across its range — more than any other snake. Hemotoxin causes uncontrolled bleeding. Highly aggressive — strikes without provocation.

Dry regions from West Africa across Middle East to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Sand, scrub, rocky desert.

Nocturnal. Makes a distinctive 'sizzling' sound by rubbing serrated scales — a warning. Strikes faster than human reflexes — multiple times per second.

Yellow scorpion 7-11 cm. Slender pincers, thick stinger tail. Considered the most venomous scorpion in the world by neurotoxin potency.

Powerful neurotoxin cocktail — drop for drop one of nature's deadliest substances. Mortality in children up to 70% without antivenom. 1-2 mg of venom worth $39,000 on research market.

Deserts and scrubland from North Africa across Middle East — Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan.

Nocturnal. Hides under stones, in burrows, in shoes left outdoors. Aggressive — strikes repeatedly when disturbed. Glows green under UV.

Up to 75 kg. Tawny gold with black rosettes. India has ~12,000 leopards — many living near human settlements, leading to frequent conflicts.

Kills more humans annually in India than tigers — ~150 deaths/year, mostly children taken at night. Champawat leopard killed 200+; Panar leopard 400.

Forests across all of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan. Increasingly common in suburbs and villages bordering reserves.

Nocturnal stalker. Excellent climber — drags prey into trees. Quietly enters villages at night. Once a man-eater, hard to stop.

Yellow-brown, up to 8 cm. Found in Spain, southern France, Italy, the Balkans. The largest scorpion in Europe.

Sting is intensely painful — comparable to a wasp — and can cause swelling, fever, vomiting. Healthy adults recover in 24 hours; risk for children and allergics.

Dry rocky terrain, vineyards, ruins, and old stone walls of the Mediterranean.

Nocturnal. Hides under stones and bark by day. Stings when stepped on, sat on, or while putting on shoes left outside overnight.